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

[Triumph]

Alex Ovechkin plays LW, Alex Holtz plays RW. Right now Washington's top 6 RWs are Oshie and Wilson. Were Wilson hypothetically traded for Holtz, Holtz would take the top 6 RW spot currently occupied by Wilson.

Naturally, Washington would play Ovechkin on the top line and Holtz on the 2nd line, so as to split up the two trigger men and provide one for each scoring unit.

I think of my ideas before writing them on the HFBoards Devils threads at least as much as you think of how to immediately refute them.

Had you given thought to my post and considered 'boy, does Triumph really not know that Ovechkin is an LW and Holtz is an RW? Probably not, he's arrogant but not stupid' - I am talking about the POWER PLAY, where Holtz plays on the left point in the minor leagues and has played there for the Devils briefly as well. That's where his value is going to be - being a PP point man. At this point it's unlikely he's much more than break-even at ES - he can't get a regular shift here and hasn't been able to for 2 years - so he'll have to make his bones as a power play guy. The issue with Washington getting him is that he has a guy blocking him on the power play, a player who plays all 2 minutes of the power play. It's hard to think of a franchise less interested in upgrading at that particular position.

 

[NjDevsRR]

Wilson is a guy you absolutely love on your team. If he’s cheap, I’d take him. Only a year left after this season .

Yeah, yeah, yeah. He had some dirty dirty hits. But for a year and a few months? Id see how it goes.

But thats just me bullshitting, it will never happen.

 

[GeNeXt]

If Wilson were actually available, he'd be extremely sought after, and I would 100% be on board with going after him. I think I'm more comfortable making a short-term move like that rather than trading higher-end assets for Meier and having to sign him to a sizeable contract. I know he's just hitting his prime, but something about Meier's inconsistency early-on in his career, combined with the fact that someone has to produce on a bad team worries me about him. I'd much rather keep the homegrown talents around, unless Bratt's future with the team is in serious limbo.

Maybe aim for something similar to the return we got for Blake Coleman for Wilson? Maybe something like a first, Gritsyuk and C level prospect gets it done? Or with Orlov gone now, maybe Mukhamdullin would be valued in such a deal.

 

[Mgd31]

If no Meier, then just look for some upgrades on Wood, Boqvist, and Smith

 

[MadDevil]

Jesus, Wilson makes over 5 million against the cap? Unless the Caps are retaining I'll pass.

 

[GeNeXt]

Jesus, Wilson makes over 5 million against the cap? Unless the Caps are retaining I'll pass.

It's only for one more year, and it's a totally reasonable salary. Would I want to sign him long-term for that much? Probably not, but well worth it to get potentially two playoff runs out of him.

 

[MadDevil]

It's only for one more year, and it's a totally reasonable salary. Would I want to sign him long-term for that much? Probably not, but well worth it to get potentially two playoff runs out of him.

If we're getting an asshole, I'd rather it be a cheaper one.

 

[My3Sons]

If no Meier, then just look for some upgrades on Wood, Boqvist, and Smith

Boquist has been solid in his role lately. He’s showing more skill than earlier in thr season

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

If no Meier, then just look for some upgrades on Wood, Boqvist, and Smith

Smith - Luke Hughes
Boqvist - he should legit play if we can find a spot for him come playoffs, he's been good.
Wood - Laffety or someone like that

 

[Devil X]

This board would fall in love with Tom Wilson. The first time someone takes a run at Jack or does something over the line and Tom chased him down and slammed his head into the ice this place would be in love.

As someone said he’s the guy you love when he is in your team but hate when he’s not.

Smith - Luke Hughes
Boqvist - he should legit play if we can find a spot for him come playoffs, he's been good.
Wood - Laffety or someone like that

Ok I love the prospect of Luke Hughes. But I don’t know why everyone is so insistent of a kid coming off his college season jumping into the top 6 of our d-core going into the playoffs when the kids hardly played any NHL games. That’s just a terrible idea.

You wanna get him some regular season games, want him to be around the team during the playoffs and practicing with the team sure. But tossing him in there during a playoff games in important situations? Doesn’t seem smart to me at all.

 

[My3Sons]

This board would fall in love with Tom Wilson. The first time someone take a run at Jack or does something over the line and Tom chased him down and slammed his head into the ice this place would be in love.

As someone said he’s the guy you love when he is in your team but hate when he’s not.



Ok I love the prospect of Luke Hughes. But I don’t know why everyone is so insistent of a kid coming off his college season jumping into the top 6 of our d-core going into the playoffs when the kids hardly played any NHL games. That’s just a terrible idea.

You wanna get him some regular season games, want him to be around the team during the playoffs and practicing with the team sure. But tossing him in there during a playoff games in important situations? Doesn’t seem smart to me at all.

Can he skate anymore? He’s not going to do much chasing if he’s damaged goods.

 

[MB3]

If we're getting an asshole, I'd rather it be a cheaper one.

The amount of people who don't watch a milisecond of caps games and assume Tom Wilson is just a tall sexy Cam Janssen makes me sad.

Tom Wilson is a good hockey player AND an asshole. There aren't a lot of those to go around.

 

[Devil X]

Can he skate anymore? He’s not going to do much chasing if he’s damaged goods.

oh I have no idea. I don’t even think he’s available. I’m just commenting on the people saying he’s a POS or wouldn’t want him at all.

 

[SKNJD9]

I'd take Wilson in a heartbeat if the trade cost was right.

Perfect guy to replace Tatar's $ next season

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

Ok I love the prospect of Luke Hughes. But I don’t know why everyone is so insistent of a kid coming off his college season jumping into the top 6 of our d-core going into the playoffs when the kids hardly played any NHL games. That’s just a terrible idea.

You wanna get him some regular season games, want him to be around the team during the playoffs and practicing with the team sure. But tossing him in there during a playoff games in important situations? Doesn’t seem smart to me at all.

Ah yes because once a penalty a game Brendan Smith and a guy who legit can't skate as well as Luke Hughes would be the better option or someone like Kevin Bahl.

 

[MadDevil]

The amount of people who don't watch a milisecond of caps games and assume Tom Wilson is just a tall sexy Cam Janssen makes me sad.

Tom Wilson is a good hockey player AND an asshole. There aren't a lot of those to go around.

I'm well aware of who Tom Wilson is but please continue to make assumptions, it really helps make your argument.

 

[Goptor]

It would be funny that after the Rangers traded away all their anti-Tom Wilson players they have to face him again.

 

[Devil X]

Ah yes because once a penalty a game Brendan Smith and a guy who legit can't skate as well as Luke Hughes would be the better option or someone like Kevin Bahl.

Yes NHL players who are playing at NHL speed and used to the strength of NHL players.

It’s the playoffs dude that’s a terrible time to bring in a rookie who’s played maybe 2 or 3 games in the NHL.

Luke is going to be a very good player but to me throwing him in that situation is putting him in a bad spot.

 

[MB3]

Yes NHL players who are playing at NHL speed and used to the strength of NHL players.

It’s the playoffs dude that’s a terrible time to bring in a rookie who’s played maybe 2 or 3 games in the NHL.

Luke is going to be a very good player but to me throwing him in that situation is putting him in a bad spot.

I don't even think Brendan Smith's mom would say Brendan Smith is "playing at NHL speed"

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

Yes NHL players who are playing at NHL speed and used to the strength of NHL players.

It’s the playoffs dude that’s a terrible time to bring in a rookie who’s played maybe 2 or 3 games in the NHL.

Luke is going to be a very good player but to me throwing him in that situation is putting him in a bad spot.

Playing him bottom pair with Marino would be perfectly fine in a Rangers series, you're not gonna play him with Severson since they're carbon copies of each other essentially. And Graves-Severson can be their own pair. Also the Rangers have struggled with our speed, why would you neuter yourself in a series like that with Brendan Smith lmao. I get the argument in a Canes series where they're a heavy forechecking team.

 

[StevenToddIves]

If we're getting an asshole, I'd rather it be a cheaper one.

Tom Wilson is not simply an a**hole, he's actually a very good hockey player. He can skate, shoot, handle the puck, even kill penalties. He's very good, and quite unique in today's NHL. He's an excellent interior forward, which is precisely what the Devils lack. I'm just saying, if he's available and the price is right...

 

[Devil X]

Playing him bottom pair with Marino would be perfectly fine in a Rangers series, you're not gonna play him with Severson since they're carbon copies of each other essentially. And Graves-Severson can be their own pair. Also the Rangers have struggled with our speed, why would you neuter yourself in a series like that with Brendan Smith lmao. I get the argument in a Canes series where they're a heavy forechecking team.

So in order to play the rookie defenseman in the playoffs you want to break up what’s been our shut down pair and arguably the best defensive pair of Graves and Marino also? Doesn’t seem like a great recipe to win a series.

I get it Smith or Bahl is a weak spot, add a player hell with Bostons moves today Gavrikov is available maybe look at that deal.

We’ll see what happens I just have an extremely hard time believing the Devils are going to toss a rookie into the playoffs who hasn’t been with the team all year and has no pro hockey experience minus a couple of games at the end of the regular season. On to a defense btw that’s going to probably finish as a top 3 to 5 team in the NHL. Got there some how.

This is just excitement for Luke Hughes not one person has even suggest calling up Nemec? Hell I’d probably be more for that as at least he could come up now and play steady minutes in the NHL for 20 games before the playoffs.

 

[MadDevil]

Tom Wilson is not simply an a**hole, he's actually a very good hockey player. He can skate, shoot, handle the puck, even kill penalties. He's very good, and quite unique in today's NHL. He's an excellent interior forward, which is precisely what the Devils lack. I'm just saying, if he's available and the price is right...

If he's cheap to acquire, fine. But I'm not spending valuable assets on that type of player coming off knee surgery. Besides, I don't think they're selling him anyway. They're going to try to at least stay somewhat competitive so Ovy can chase the goals record.

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

So in order to play the rookie defenseman in the playoffs you want to break up what’s been out shut down pair of Graves and Marino also?

I get it Smith or Bahl is a weak spot, add a player hell with Bostons moves today Gavrikov is available maybe look at that deal.

We’ll see what happens I just have an extremely hard time believing the Devils are going to toss a rookie into the playoffs who hasn’t been with the team all year and has no pro hockey experience minus a couple of games at the end of the regular season. On to a defense btw that’s going to probably finish as a top 3 to 5 team in the NHL. Got there some how.

This is just excitement for Luke Hughes not one person has even suggest calling up Nemec? Hell I’d probably be more for that as at least he could come up now and play steady minutes in the NHL for 20 games before the playoffs.

Graves-Severson have been equally as good. I just don't get the argument for Brendan Smith when we see him shit himself nightly. Luke Hughes can't be that bad and if he does have a few rough regular season games then he won't see the playoffs anyway.

 

[Guttersniped]

Yeah you're right that my Meier speculation is garbage, but I'm despite loving Mercer I'm surprised people know he's going to be as good or better.

He doesn’t even have to good or better than Meier for it to be a bad trade idea.

If he’s slightly worse than Meier, how is it a good trade? We make a slight upgrade? How much better are we then?

Mercer isn’t a prospect, he’s an important player now. Meier can’t even replace his versatility since he can’t play center.

The reason playoff teams trade futures instead of roster players is so you don’t take out a piece that makes your team worse right now. When they trade roster players it’s to usually to clear cap space or move guys they aren’t going to keep anyway. (Beauvillier in the Horvat is a prime example of the latter.)
Again, find me a TDL where a team got a return like Mercer. I’m pretty confident won’t find one.

The June 2016 Zibanejad trade was for older RFA one year from arbitration. The Sens didn’t want to pay him. Brassard had a 3 year/ 5m deal that only cost 12m in real money. And everyone knew this was a bad trade made for financial reasons.