If Meier can't play, then might it make sense to bring Holtz as a placeholder? Or do we think he's down in the AHL for the season at this point?
Devils team discussion (news, notes and speculation) - part VI
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If Meier can't play, then might it make sense to bring Holtz as a placeholder? Or do we think he's down in the AHL for the season at this point?
NJDevs26
Once upon a time...
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LOL I keep forgetting Holtz is still here (for now), I’ve been expecting him to be flipped for Timo for weeks. It still wouldn’t surprise me if he gets flipped for something else this week though if the Sharks took every other second tier prospect but him…
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ZachaFlockaFlame
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At this point, that should sort of be a wake up call to the Devils that he's a sunk cost and we would get the most benefit out of playing than looking for a trade. But every team is different with what they're looking at, still a bit shocking a team with his SHL teammate + need for a RH shot didn't want him in the quality over quantity deal
At the risk of looking ahead too much given everything still to come, this offseason will be really interesting for Fitz.
To my knowledge, the last reported cap projection was $83.5 for next season, but that was in December. If we assume that sticks, we have about $37.5 to work with including the Schneider and Koukkanen buyouts that come off after next year, and the Kovalchuk recapture that ends in 2 years.
At forward, It looks like our big game hunting days are over at least for the short term. Bratt, Meier, Sharangovich, McLeod, Boqvist, and Bastian are all RFA. Tatar, Wood, Haula all UFA. Holtz and Clarke should be in the mix for spots and it seems like it'll be the last chance for Foote and Thompson to gain some traction.
Obviously the Bratt and Meier extensions are key to deciding the rest. I wonder if one of them ends up taking a shorter deal that lets them cash in on free agency before 30. I think I'd be fine with that, though I prefer it's Timo and not Bratt that does it. Let's just attribute 17.5 in cap to both of them and assume that will get us there.
For the other RFAs, McLeod probably earned a raise to $1.5 or so with his play this year, even though I think he's replaceable. Bastian maybe has a slight raise but honestly it shouldn't be much. I think he gets done around $1.1. Boqvist maybe $1.2 because he's a center. Sharangovich is tough because he just hasn't clicked this year and doesn't really have much of a role here moving forward. You basically have to ask how valuable is he on the 3rd or 4th line and is he worth keeping around at that point? No idea what he would be moved for, but I can see him being a cap/roster size casualty. I think he'll probably get $3 million on another bridge deal.
I think Wood is almost certainly gone because you just never see guys take massive pay cuts to stay with the same team, and I think that's in his future. No one is going to give him above $2 million in this cap world. I like Haula more than most on here but I can definitely see him moving on. If he's retained, it's probably on a similar salary at slightly above $2 or so. Tatar I think you have to keep unless he just absolutely implodes down the stretch and in the playoffs. I think he would sign for an identical cap hit to this year but hopefully just another 1-2 year deal.
Tatar($4.5)-Hischier($7.25)-Meier($8.5)
Bratt($9)-Hughes($8)-Mercer($0.9)
Palat($6)-Boqvist($1.2) -Holtz($0.9)
Sharangovich($3)-Mcleod($1.5)-Bastian($1.1)
Foote($0.87)
Total-$52.72
On D, you have Severson and Graves expiring, Bahl as an RFA, and you will be adding Hughes into the mix. Walsh and Hatakka are both mildly interesting as depth but shouldn't be relied upon for more than 5 games or so by any means. Nemec will compete for a spot but I think it's best he ends up in Utica again to start next year. Bahl can probably be signed under $1 million again. I don't see a realistic path to Severson returning given he will have no reason to sign a short-term deal and should get at least $6 aav. I don't think you can seriously consider yourself a cup contender with Bahl-smith as your bottom pairing so they will need a stop-gap #3/4. Maybe Graves is willing to take a 3 year deal, or maybe they have to get a UFA. They would need someone that will take a shorter deal with maybe a higher AAV than they might get elsewhere. Not having Mukh as an option to plug in on the bottom pairing probably hurts us most this next year.
Seigs($3.4)-Hamilton($9)
Hughes($.9)-Marino($4.4)
D to be named later/Graves($4)-Smith($1.1)
Bahl($.9)
Total-$23.7
In goal, obviously Vanecek sticks. We assume Blackwood is done after another injury filled season. I do wonder if they just non-qualify him or try to move his rights for a pick or something. If they think Schmid is capable of being the 1B, that is a huge relief to the cap that lets you do somethings. If they need to go out and sign a new 1B at $3 million or whatever, it's totally different and impacts what you can do on D next year. Given our history with goaltending, it may be too much assumed risk to go into the season with Vanecek and Schmid as your pairing.
Vanecek($3.4)
Schmid($0.85)
Total-$4.25
All of that takes us to $83.245. There are a few contracts rounded up in there, so call it $500k in cap space after keeping everyone but Severson, Haula, Wood, Blackwood and assuming you can keep Graves or add an equivalent D for $4 million, but basically making no further upgrades to the forwards and a risky proposition in goal.
Some interesting potential UFA D that might sign cheap 1 year deals are basically the Caps' entire unit and Gudas. But really no one that would replace what Severson gives this group. We just have to hope Hughes is that dude. Could also find a way to clear some more salary from the forwards and sign Orlov, but that sounds like a fantasy move. There's really not much of anyone interesting on the goalie market.
My plan would be to go into the season like this, then look to make a deadline move for help in the bottom six or D depending on how everyone is performing and hope goaltending doesn't blow up in your face.
To my knowledge, the last reported cap projection was $83.5 for next season, but that was in December. If we assume that sticks, we have about $37.5 to work with including the Schneider and Koukkanen buyouts that come off after next year, and the Kovalchuk recapture that ends in 2 years.
At forward, It looks like our big game hunting days are over at least for the short term. Bratt, Meier, Sharangovich, McLeod, Boqvist, and Bastian are all RFA. Tatar, Wood, Haula all UFA. Holtz and Clarke should be in the mix for spots and it seems like it'll be the last chance for Foote and Thompson to gain some traction.
Obviously the Bratt and Meier extensions are key to deciding the rest. I wonder if one of them ends up taking a shorter deal that lets them cash in on free agency before 30. I think I'd be fine with that, though I prefer it's Timo and not Bratt that does it. Let's just attribute 17.5 in cap to both of them and assume that will get us there.
For the other RFAs, McLeod probably earned a raise to $1.5 or so with his play this year, even though I think he's replaceable. Bastian maybe has a slight raise but honestly it shouldn't be much. I think he gets done around $1.1. Boqvist maybe $1.2 because he's a center. Sharangovich is tough because he just hasn't clicked this year and doesn't really have much of a role here moving forward. You basically have to ask how valuable is he on the 3rd or 4th line and is he worth keeping around at that point? No idea what he would be moved for, but I can see him being a cap/roster size casualty. I think he'll probably get $3 million on another bridge deal.
I think Wood is almost certainly gone because you just never see guys take massive pay cuts to stay with the same team, and I think that's in his future. No one is going to give him above $2 million in this cap world. I like Haula more than most on here but I can definitely see him moving on. If he's retained, it's probably on a similar salary at slightly above $2 or so. Tatar I think you have to keep unless he just absolutely implodes down the stretch and in the playoffs. I think he would sign for an identical cap hit to this year but hopefully just another 1-2 year deal.
Tatar($4.5)-Hischier($7.25)-Meier($8.5)
Bratt($9)-Hughes($8)-Mercer($0.9)
Palat($6)-Boqvist($1.2) -Holtz($0.9)
Sharangovich($3)-Mcleod($1.5)-Bastian($1.1)
Foote($0.87)
Total-$52.72
On D, you have Severson and Graves expiring, Bahl as an RFA, and you will be adding Hughes into the mix. Walsh and Hatakka are both mildly interesting as depth but shouldn't be relied upon for more than 5 games or so by any means. Nemec will compete for a spot but I think it's best he ends up in Utica again to start next year. Bahl can probably be signed under $1 million again. I don't see a realistic path to Severson returning given he will have no reason to sign a short-term deal and should get at least $6 aav. I don't think you can seriously consider yourself a cup contender with Bahl-smith as your bottom pairing so they will need a stop-gap #3/4. Maybe Graves is willing to take a 3 year deal, or maybe they have to get a UFA. They would need someone that will take a shorter deal with maybe a higher AAV than they might get elsewhere. Not having Mukh as an option to plug in on the bottom pairing probably hurts us most this next year.
Seigs($3.4)-Hamilton($9)
Hughes($.9)-Marino($4.4)
D to be named later/Graves($4)-Smith($1.1)
Bahl($.9)
Total-$23.7
In goal, obviously Vanecek sticks. We assume Blackwood is done after another injury filled season. I do wonder if they just non-qualify him or try to move his rights for a pick or something. If they think Schmid is capable of being the 1B, that is a huge relief to the cap that lets you do somethings. If they need to go out and sign a new 1B at $3 million or whatever, it's totally different and impacts what you can do on D next year. Given our history with goaltending, it may be too much assumed risk to go into the season with Vanecek and Schmid as your pairing.
Vanecek($3.4)
Schmid($0.85)
Total-$4.25
All of that takes us to $83.245. There are a few contracts rounded up in there, so call it $500k in cap space after keeping everyone but Severson, Haula, Wood, Blackwood and assuming you can keep Graves or add an equivalent D for $4 million, but basically making no further upgrades to the forwards and a risky proposition in goal.
Some interesting potential UFA D that might sign cheap 1 year deals are basically the Caps' entire unit and Gudas. But really no one that would replace what Severson gives this group. We just have to hope Hughes is that dude. Could also find a way to clear some more salary from the forwards and sign Orlov, but that sounds like a fantasy move. There's really not much of anyone interesting on the goalie market.
My plan would be to go into the season like this, then look to make a deadline move for help in the bottom six or D depending on how everyone is performing and hope goaltending doesn't blow up in your face.
Cheddabombs
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It could also be the Devils didn't want to put him in a deal with all those major pieces already going out. Devils need elc contributors next season if bratt and Meier are signed to extensions. Also the current Sharks front office isn't the one that drafted Eklund so I really doubt they care about that. The only forward prospect at this point that's close to the NHL I could see being traded is Foote because he's waiver eligible next season but they could also just try to keep as a 13th forward/4th liner for next season too
ZachaFlockaFlame
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That's possible too, I think this is a situation where upper management and the coaching staff are clashing on it. I think Fitz wants to see Holtz in the lineup but Lindy is choosing the safer option since the Devils are this good. Happens a ton around the league, the Rangers are a prime example with the Vesey shit over some of their youth.
Devil X
Call me Nostradamus
Dont think they need to. We were sitting someone last game anyway in Zetterlund. So we would run out the same line up with Meier out. We are already have an extra forward and Dman with the team.
If Meier plays one of Bastian or Boqvist likely sits. Then you have Smith and Bahl on the back end.
Better Call Sal
Salnalysis
Would love for that to be Tatar taking a paycut to stay.
Tatar, Severson, and Graves could all fit that description. Under the right circumstances, I could see 1 or 2 of them coming back with the same cap hit or lower. Probably not all 3.
Cheddabombs
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I'd love to bring Sevo back on a reasonable deal mostly because I feel bad. Poor guy suffered through some awful years and now that we're finally on the upswing he might be nudged out.
He can easily sign a $4 million deal if he wants to stay
I can't see Severson staying. Too pricey.
GM's covet RHD that eat up minutes.
GM's covet RHD that eat up minutes.
I actually think Haula is the prime candidate to stay at a discount. Before the season he already stated he was tired of jumping from team to team (I think we're his 7th team in 3 years or something ridiculous like that).
Omar Little
Omar comin yo
He'll have teams to choose from who are on the upswing (namely Buffalo and Ottawa)
Plus, we can keep him around as a good luck charm. His teams always make the playoffs. Not that we're likely to need the help, but still.
Haula returning on a cheap deal is totally fine by me, his scoring troubles hopefully can't continue that long.
None Shall Pass
Dano moisturizes
I won't believe anything about Bratt until that stupid account tweets about it.
billingtons ghost
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Better Call Sal
Salnalysis
I'd love Haula returning on a short term discount if possible. His versatility provides value for us in the middle six. He doesn't look out of place anywhere, he's just been beyond snake bitten from a shooting perspective. I'd bet on that rebounding based on his career percentages.
- Dec 20, 2018
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No way it’s Severson. He’s RHD, someone will pay him a good bit more than 4.16m.
Tatar is definitely possible since he would take a pay cut on 4.5m on the open market. He’s also already made a good chunk of change already.
If he gets to actually play in the playoffs this time it will be pretty meaningful to him. Ruff talked about how he’s relishing playing an important role on this team. I don’t see him wanting give that up but he needs to take a very team friendly deal to survive.
Graves is interesting, it feels like the team might try to keep him. He’s made a lot less money than Severson though because this 3 year/3.16m was his first big money contract after toiling in the minors.
Sharangovich is another possibility, he might take a team friendly deal because he doesn’t seem like a guy who would want to be traded. But who knows.
We’re Haula’s 7th team and he can’t score, he has to be pretty damn cheap.
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DOUGLAS back to Carolina confirmed
Took a screenshot before they fix it lmao
Took a screenshot before they fix it lmao
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NJDevilsFan21
Trade Everyone!!
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Severson is probably looking at ~$5-$6M on the open market. Graves at $4M is closer a lot closer to his true value than Severson at $4M, so I can't see Severson staying. I just feel like there's a 99% chance he's gone this summer unless he takes a major pay cut and we want to give Nemec and Casey all the time they need. I imagine Severson would also want, at the very least, a limited NMC as part of his new contract here. Something like a full-NMC for the first 2 years, beyond which it would only be to top-16 contending teams.
My absolutely must extend list:
- Bratt, Meier at 7-8 years x $8.5M, each on average (discounted from $9M each on average)
My really should extend list:
- Graves at 4-5 years x $4M (discounted from $4.5M)
My should extend list:
- Tatar at 2 years x $2.5M (discounted from $3M)
Anyone else I don't really care to bring back.
glenwo2
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