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

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

As a last resort if we strike out everywhere else before the trade deadline. This team is too good for a reclamation project now. Would be more inclined to do this if we still sucked

Thing is, I think Vrana is one of the weirdest guys to pigeon hole. He has 23 goals in 39 games for Detroit, so he's not a reclamation project in that sense but trusting him to be on the ice is a whole different story so I get it. I think he's going to be Evander Kane 2.0 wherever he lands next.

 

[Mgd31]

Thing is, I think Vrana is one of the weirdest guys to pigeon hole. He has 23 goals in 39 games for Detroit, so he's not a reclamation project in that sense but trusting him to be on the ice is a whole different story so I get it. I think he's going to be Evander Kane 2.0 wherever he lands next.

Maybe if Sharangovich gets traded, there is your replacement in the offseason

 

[New Jersey Devils]

Dougie having one of the more terrible games of the season and still manages to put up 3 As. On pace to have the best season for a Devils defenseman in almost two decades. Anyone think he’ll break Stevens’ record of 78 points in 93-94?

2 more points would also have him at his career-high.

 

[severian]

Dougie having one of the more terrible games of the season and still manages to put up 3 As. On pace to have the best season for a Devils defenseman in almost two decades. Anyone think he’ll break Stevens’ record of 78 points in 93-94?

2 more points would also have him at his career-high.

He’s on pace to break Stevens record. He needs to stay healthy and the PP needs to heat up. He needs 30 pts in 31 games. It’s possible but not likely.

 

[Billdo]

Anyone have any idea if the hat hats will be re-released any time soon? I'd love to buy one.

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

Maybe if Sharangovich gets traded, there is your replacement in the offseason

I think either he or Zetterlund move out for Meier if that happens. I'd probably do a swap of those two guys if the money is close but I think some team will pay Vrana hefty money in UFA. Especially say a team lands Bedard and needs a winger for him, Vrana would be the perfect compliment to him.

 

[HBK27]

NHL prospect trade board: Which top assets could contenders move at the deadline?

Ranking the top prospect trade chips that contending teams have heading into the 2023 NHL trade deadline.

theathletic.com

Pronman ranks top young assets that may be available at the TDL. Luke and Nemec are excluded as he can't see either being on the market.

Odd list overall - has Muk 5th, Holtz 7th, Bos/Car/NJ/Tor 1st round pick 11th, Foote 13th, Gritsyuk 16th.

NJ seems to be the team most represented, which isn't a surprise given the depth of our prospect pool.

 

[Nocashstyle]

Dougie having one of the more terrible games of the season and still manages to put up 3 As. On pace to have the best season for a Devils defenseman in almost two decades. Anyone think he’ll break Stevens’ record of 78 points in 93-94?

2 more points would also have him at his career-high.

Yeah he just looked so slow and sluggish. He always looks a little lackadaisical with the puck too, but last night he was extra.

Still, the dude just produces like few defenseman in the league can.

 

[MauDevils]

If Holtz doesn't get traded, this will be a very questionable year for his development.

 

[AfroThunder396]

I do think it's time to start moving some of these AHL guys out. It's been a few years for some of these guys in the system. If you don't see a path for Reilly Walsh and Nolan Foote to be regulars with the Devils, then move them for value or else they're just going to walk the first chance they get.

That being said, I'd certainly rather not move Muk or Grits now unless it's absolutely necessary. Not only do I think Holtz has more trade value, but I'm more eager to move off him.

 

[Lou is God]

Columbus is #3 in Wheeler's rankings so it's either us or Minny for #1.....and I can't see how they would have a better pool than ours, not when we have Luke and Nemec.

 

[Devs3cups]

2023 NHL prospect pool rankings: No. 3 Columbus Blue Jackets

Thanks to a sterling 2022 draft class, the Blue Jackets’ collection of prospects ranks even higher today than it did a year ago.

theathletic.com

Columbus gets the 3rd spot in Wheeler’s prospect pool rankings, it’s between us and Minnesota for #1.

Man, I’ll say it again, top 5 team in P% right now and a top 2 prospect pool. Feels nice.

Columbus is #3 in Wheeler's rankings so it's either us or Minny for #1.....and I can't see how they would have a better pool than ours, not when we have Luke and Nemec.

Beat me to it lol!

 

[Hisch13r]

Woof

 

[Devs3cups]

Woof

They gotta be better, but they keep finding ways to win games. Good sign for when they pick it up.

Bottom-6 needs some help and Marino coming back should help stabilize stuff a bit on D in the next few games.

 

[Cheddabombs]

I'm usually against big mid-season trades, especially when a team is doing well since it can sometimes mess with a good thing. But we're in an interesting spot where while we're still collecting points, our play has trailed off.

We could use a nice shot in the arm with a big trade like Meier. And we're also in a great position to make such a deal without giving up a roster player. I really hope Fitz finds a way to pull it off

 

[Triumph]

I do think it's time to start moving some of these AHL guys out. It's been a few years for some of these guys in the system. If you don't see a path for Reilly Walsh and Nolan Foote to be regulars with the Devils, then move them for value or else they're just going to walk the first chance they get.

That being said, I'd certainly rather not move Muk or Grits now unless it's absolutely necessary. Not only do I think Holtz has more trade value, but I'm more eager to move off him.

Walsh has no value. Most teams have a guy like this in their system somewhere.

Foote is worth keeping around because the Devils just don't have forward prospects in that age cohort. If they lose him on waivers next year, so be it, but he's still 22 and is worth giving a fourth year to. I mean, obviously if someone wants him, fine, but I wouldn't deal him just to move on.

 

[Guttersniped]

I've been burned by these advanced stats plenty of times before (including by members of this board that were arguing that the 2013-14 Devils were an elite team due to great CORSI and would be good the next year). Bratt should not have a substantially higher defensive WAR than Hischier.

Look, I don't want to go on a bender saying Bratt is not worth re-signing. If I had to pick between him and Meier, I would rather keep Bratt as he is homegrown. I would rather have Bratt than signing Johnny Hockey to his deal. Just saying that his agent is going to point to stats like this one to try to get 9M+ and I hope Fitz negotiates.

You should probably let whatever you remember people arguing in 2013-14 go since that was almost decade ago.

 

[Lou is God]

Woof

I think there is one word why we've still been winning - Jack.

When you have a player averaging almost a goal a game during those 25 games, you're probably going to win more than you lose.

 

[Hisch13r]

I think there is one word why we've still been winning - Jack.

When you have a player averaging almost a goal a game during those 25 games, you're probably going to win more than you lose.

Barely even winning more than we’re losing. 13 wins to 12 losses (3 loser pt losses)

I'm usually against big mid-season trades, especially when a team is doing well since it can sometimes mess with a good thing. But we're in an interesting spot where while we're still collecting points, our play has trailed off.

We could use a nice shot in the arm with a big trade like Meier. And we're also in a great position to make such a deal without giving up a roster player. I really hope Fitz finds a way to pull it off

It’s also different when you’re making a move for the long term as much as for the short term

 

[Nocashstyle]

I hope Fitz has a plan other than Meier. He would obviously be nice to get, and would likely shift a little more talent down to the bottom 6. But if not, they need something else.

Also, not a surprise, but Haula looks even more useless away from Jack.

 

[Hisch13r]

I hope Fitz has a plan other than Meier. He would obviously be nice to get, and would likely shift a little more talent down to the bottom 6. But if not, they need something else.

Also, not a surprise, but Haula looks even more useless away from Jack.

The way people are talking it kind of seems like Boeser’s the plan B. If that’s the case I’d rather no plan and just go in as is.

 

[Nocashstyle]

The way people are talking it kind of seems like Boeser’s the plan B. If that’s the case I’d rather no plan and just go in as is.

Yuck.

There’s someone I wouldn’t mind, but he’d only be a guaranteed rental, but probably cheap, and if he works out, relatively cheap to retain.

But I won’t say his name because it’s triggering for some…

 

[Saugus]

Woof

Montreal and Columbus look ridiculous on this too. Started bad, got worse, and never stopped getting worse.

 

[Lou is God]

Barely even winning more than we’re losing. 13 wins to 12 losses (3 loser pt losses)

But about six of those losses were during the cold streak we had in December, do basically we've been about 13-6 while playing subpar hockey.

I think the big difference to us being analytical giants the first part of the year was the top play of our bottom six, where as now they're just passengers along for the ride.

 

[Devs3cups]

Last 25 games, all situations:

CF%: 9th
SF%: 9th
GF%: 14th
xGF%: 18th
SCF%: 9th
HDCF%: 10th

This looks more like a defense problem than anything else, maybe with a little finishing cold streak. Offensively still a top-10 team basically across the board at all situations, but the xGF% looking suspicious.

And for those wondering, the metrics look better at even strength:

CF%: 5th
SF%: 6th
GF%: 14th
xGF%: 14th
SCF%: 6th
HDCF%: 8th