Devils team discussion (news, notes and speculation) - part V

[Triumph]

Again, we might have thought Henrique would be a 40 goal scorer too, but he wasn't, and let's face it those two have a similar arc. There aren't many 'similar number' guys in the NHL.

I know this will only get seen by everyone else, but lol they absolutely do not have a similar arc.

Henrique was drafted in the 3rd round and made the NHL in his D+4. Mercer was drafted in the first round and made the NHL in his D+2. When Henrique was the age that Mercer is today, he had played in 1 NHL game.

Anyone who thought Henrique would be a 40 goal scorer is a fool. Likewise, I think anyone projecting Mercer to be a 'point a game' player is not being all that rational either, but he has a high ceiling, and anyway the whole reason not to trade Mercer is just the salary cap and new UFA rules, period. Guys of Mercer's ilk got traded all the time pre-2005. It's not then anymore and teams don't trade these guys in this spot.

 

[britdevil]

Maybe because sports/social media wasn't big back then too, I just remember TG's blog being our updates for the Kovy stuff for the most part. Also I wasn't a poster so I didn't really live and breathe with that saga as much.

Yeah, for me it was the last hurrah of old school internet fan opinions. I got caught up in the euphoria myself, briefly changing ol' stuntman mike to a pic of the press conference signing. Kovy and Brodeur.

Cursed image for sure.

The earliest toxic shit I can remember though was when Elias re-signed. I was a lurker then too. A portion of HFDevils were furious at Lou for paying Elias as much as he did.

Wild.

 

[Triumph]

Last year's deadline, basically all of the big trades happened in the week before the deadline except Toffoli to Calgary. Everything else happened the week of the deadline.

2021 I'm going to skip because there were COVID related reasons to want to make trades earlier.

2020 - Campbell to TOR, Zucker to PIT, Coleman to TB, and Toffoli to VAN happened more than week before deadline day. On the other hand, basically everything else happened deadline day - Pageau to NYI, Skjei to CAR, Goodrow to TB, etc.

2019 - Big deals pre week leadup - Muzzin to TOR, Brassard-McCann deal between PIT and FLA, Talbot to PHI, deadline day was Nyquist to SJ, Hayes to WPG, Granlund-Fiala, and Mark Stone. These are four big deadline deals and they all waited until the final day.

I've made my point and probably people will be complaining in here about Orlov by the time I'm done.

 

[billingtons ghost]

Yeah no. Summer of Kovy was literal HFDevils hell.

Nothing will ever top it.

Only the retirement saga came close to his contract signing period.

Cory/Brodeur was my favorite shitshow.

 

[britdevil]

Cory/Brodeur was my favorite shitshow.

When Kovy retired I thought we were right on track for McDavid.

Then Cory happened.

You're right, it was a good shit show.

 

[billingtons ghost]

This is completely ignoring the fact that A) barring some unforeseen catastrophe, Mercer is likely going to continue improving and even if he doesn't quite reach Meier's current production, it won't be that far off that it justifies the trade, and B) this also means we keep the advantage of having a player who produces only slightly less but at a way better value relative to the cap hit.

There's no reason to believe Mercer is despised. And it's not comparable to shipping out Shara or Holtz because with those players the gap between what you're losing and what you're adding can at least be well justified for disrupting the locker room a bit. Not to mention that I'm sure the team recognizes that Shara is more of complimentary player (not core) and Holtz hasn't even contributed anything to this team yet at this stage of his career. Shipping guys like that out is a completely different dynamic than trading away a core piece for marginal short term improvement.

It's ok man. We will just disagree here.

I love Mercer. He might be my second favorite forward on the team.

I just think a proven Meier would make us a much stronger team.

If Mercer had Henrique's career, would you be happy?

Bc honestly I think that's what he'll be like ultimately. Hope he is better.

 

[Devil X]

When it comes to Mercer I just think thats too big of a TDL trade. You dont see 21 year olds who are top 5 in scoring on the team get moved midseason for a trade deadline acquisition. Those are the kind of players they add to. How it will turn out in the long hall between what Meier is years from now and what Mercer is years from now who knows. If age matter Mercer's best years are ahead and Meier's worst are ahead but it isnt as black and white as that statement obviously.

To me a deal for Meier that includes Mercer is an offseason deal.

Also the fact that Mercer can play center, become a 3rd line center behind our top 2 and fill in when needed in the top 6 both on wing and center to make is extremely valuable. Especially contract wise going forward.

 

[Devs3cups]

It's ok man. We will just disagree here.

I love Mercer. He might be my second favorite forward on the team.

I just think a proven Meier would make us a much stronger team.

If Mercer had Henrique's career, would you be happy?

Bc honestly I think that's what he'll be like ultimately. Hope he is better.

I think you’re sort of underselling Mercer here with the Henrique comparisons. While I get it, there arcs seem a lot different. It was mentioned a few posts back, but Henrique wasn’t a regular NHL player until his D+4 season where he scored 50 points. Mercer, had a similar NHL rookie season in his D+2. Not really a similar arc at all.

In his D+2, Henrique was still in the OHL, before being in the AHL in his D+3.

 

[Guadana]

Now you just sound like my wife and kids.

I'm scary because you look like a man who is doing what you want.

 

[MB3]

if the rangers get Tank AND Kane and the Devils stay put I’m going to be emit enough salt to season the disgusting food in the prudential center.

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

if the rangers get Tank AND Kane and the Devils stay put I’m going to be emit enough salt to season the disgusting food in the prudential center.

Tarasenko doesn't scare me at all, Kane will come playoffs though.

 

[MauDevils]

if the rangers get Tank AND Kane and the Devils stay put I’m going to be emit enough salt to season the disgusting food in the prudential center.

With all these teams going crazy, I'd almost rather just do nothing.

 

[Emperoreddy]

Cory/Brodeur was my favorite shitshow.

That shitshow is still going. It's my least favorite debate people like to have

 

[MasterofGrond]

If everybody is loading up on rentals, the right thing to do is see if you can get a deal you like on Meier or hold tight.

 

[Guttersniped]

people pumping mercer on here so much i dont think hes going to be that cheap following next season. even as an rfa for that bolded to be true he will have to take a discount. maybe it happens maybe it doesn't.

Lol

 

[bossram]

Well, looks like my (tepid, because I wasn't sure if WAS was selling) proposal for NJ acquire Orlov is off the table.

But this does confirm that WAS is a seller. With Orlov gone, I'd still be very interested in some other WAS defensemen: Nick Jensen and TVR.

They are both right-handed, which isn't a great fit, but they are both big upgrades on Smith - and makes sure he doesn't see a playoff lineup.

Both have a strong defensive profile. TVR might be more of a pure bottom-pair option, while Jensen has a history of higher leverage usage. Might be able to re-sign them as a cheaper, future Severson replacement

 

[Devil X]

Rangers loading up when there is an absolute monster north of them in Boston that has chewed through everyone.

Interesting choice, I mean you gotta be in to win it.

 

[TF1970]

If everybody is loading up on rentals, the right thing to do is see if you can get a deal you like on Meier or hold tight.

100%. Either someone with term who will contribute beyond this season or nothing IMO.

 

[DerekDevils30]

Rangers loading up when there is an absolute monster north of them in Boston that has chewed through everyone.

Interesting choice, I mean you gotta be in to win it.

They won’t make it that far. This guy is waiting with baited breath.

 

[RSeen]

When it comes to Mercer I just think thats too big of a TDL trade. You dont see 21 year olds who are top 5 in scoring on the team get moved midseason for a trade deadline acquisition. Those are the kind of players they add to. How it will turn out in the long hall between what Meier is years from now and what Mercer is years from now who knows. If age matter Mercer's best years are ahead and Meier's worst are ahead but it isnt as black and white as that statement obviously.

To me a deal for Meier that includes Mercer is an offseason deal.

Also the fact that Mercer can play center, become a 3rd line center behind our top 2 and fill in when needed in the top 6 both on wing and center to make is extremely valuable. Especially contract wise going forward.

If we are in win now mode, Mercer should absolutely not go anywhere. He is on his ELC next year as well - he will be one of our best value contracts.

 

[Guttersniped]

You don't know this. Purely speculation, and more likely than not false.

Again, we might have thought Henrique would be a 40 goal scorer too, but he wasn't, and let's face it those two have a similar arc. There aren't many 'similar number' guys in the NHL.

If, in fact it does come true, which is unlikely, you would enjoy the team control but you'd be faced with a similar big contract decision in the future.

Absolutely.

This is just true in any case:. We don't know if Mercer is loved or despised, and maybe Sharangovich or Holtz getting shipped would be worse. It is all just nonsense. And maybe getting Meier is the worst move if all and he's a complete jerk. Or maybe he's Nico's BFF. We don't know.

Members of this board can say whatever, but in an objective vacuum, if signed Meier for Mercer doesn't get it done and Mercer doesn't equal Meier's output itll be interesting to talk about the what-ifs if we don't fulfill promise and win Cups.

There’a actually a good amount of historical precedent and factual information you have to ignore to argue this.

And if we don’t trade Mercer for Meier, don’t get Meier, and then don’t win multiple Cups, not trading Mercer for him was the cause of that?

At this point I’m just going wait until it’s over.

 

[jkrdevil]

In addition to Meier (I don’t think they will have to give up Mercer), I would like them to addition depth move the strengthen then bottom 6.

 

[MasterofGrond]

my favorite bottom 6 guys have already been moved unfortunately, but I do agree that we could use another option there.

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

Lafferty would be a great option

 

[youryeah]

me until march 4th