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

[devilsblood]

I do wonder if, with Shara riding the bench(tonight at least), and Holtz now in Utica, that that is a signal of sorts that SJ was indeed targeting Zetterlund over those guys.

Granted we had sat Zetterlund for a stretch not too long ago, but would seem odd that the Devils were protecting Shara and Holtz, but to then almost immediately decrease their role after the trade.

One of those questions we probably will never get the answer to which I find pretty interesting.

So apparently, Curtis Lazar is having Visa issues and stated he'll arrive early next week :

Ha, my first thought after reading your opening sentence was "take your time".

 

[Oneiro]

Luke is going to be on the team and you have an insurance D in Smith. I think that's why you try to find out what Bahl is. I doubt we can bring back Graves. It's going to be tight even if all the non-star RFAs are resigned at modest increases and you leave spots for Holtz and another kid.

I'm assuming we flip Sharangovich in the summer. I almost wonder if you could get away with putting him in a package for C. Tanev if Calgary comes to their senses and Tanev waives - or a similar deal for a vet RD. Then you ease in Nemec the same way we did with Bahl and you're not losing much for a playoff run.

 

[devilsblood]

Luke is going to be on the team and you have an insurance D in Smith. I think that's why you try to find out what Bahl is. I doubt we can bring back Graves. It's going to be tight even if all the non-star RFAs are resigned at modest increases and you leave spots for Holtz and another kid.

I'm assuming we flip Sharangovich in the summer. I almost wonder if you could get away with putting him in a package for C. Tanev if Calgary comes to their senses and Tanev waives - or a similar deal for a vet RD. Then you ease in Nemec the same way we did with Bahl and you're not losing much for a playoff run.

I want the team focused on winning games the rest of the way, and preparing for the playoffs.

The d-lineup for next year is something I worry about in the off season.

That said, playing Bahl is part of preparing for the playoffs. Would be nice if we play him because we think he's a better option over Smith, but if not that, then we do want to keep him sharp in case of injury.

 

[Triumph]

Luke is going to be on the team and you have an insurance D in Smith. I think that's why you try to find out what Bahl is. I doubt we can bring back Graves. It's going to be tight even if all the non-star RFAs are resigned at modest increases and you leave spots for Holtz and another kid.

I'm assuming we flip Sharangovich in the summer. I almost wonder if you could get away with putting him in a package for C. Tanev if Calgary comes to their senses and Tanev waives - or a similar deal for a vet RD. Then you ease in Nemec the same way we did with Bahl and you're not losing much for a playoff run.

Sharangovich being arbitration-eligible and having a down year means his value is just not very high at all, at least not right now. I still feel like he's a guy you have to find a way to get into the lineup in the playoffs, but yeah he's basically worth a 3rd or so, or a player in similar straits (one of which might be Tanev).

 

[Jason MacIsaac]

I think Bahl absolutely replaces Graves next year. I believe that is inevitable. I see the defense being

Sieg - Hamilton
Hughes - Marino
Bahl - UFA/Nemec

This is a very cheap 7 defense with tbe potential to be very good.

 

[devilsblood]

Sharangovich being arbitration-eligible and having a down year means his value is just not very high at all, at least not right now. I still feel like he's a guy you have to find a way to get into the lineup in the playoffs, but yeah he's basically worth a 3rd or so, or a player in similar straits (one of which might be Tanev).

Assuming a healthy lineup Shara vs Boq looks to be the competition. My guess is the team would rather have Shara, and this benching(if it indeed happens) while based on their respective play in recent games, is hoped to light a fire under Shara. But if Boq outplays Shara, then so be it.

And even though Tanev would be a good fit on the right side, I don't really like the idea of trading a 25 year old for a 34 year old who we'd probably have for one season.

 

[devilsblood]

I think Bahl absolutely replaces Graves next year. I believe that is inevitable. I see the defense being

Sieg - Hamilton
Hughes - Marino
Bahl - UFA/Nemec

This is a very cheap 7 defense with tbe potential to be very good.

Kind of to my point above, Bahl moreso expands his current role, then he does replace Graves. Hughes is going to get top 4 minutes, even though he won't be playing a similar role as Graves currently is. It will be a much different mix.

 

[NHL Fanatik]

Kind of to my point above, Bahl moreso expands his current role, then he does replace Graves. Hughes is going to get top 4 minutes, even though he won't be playing a similar role as Graves currently is. It will be a much different mix.

Only problem there is if Luke has a rough rookie year and Bahl doesnt progress enough defensively. Thats a hard spot to find a dman for a playoff run/short stint without eliminating one of em entirely from the roster

I personally like the idea of Graves on an expensive one-year deal. That way we can work Hughes in slower and maybe even play Bahl at RD if hes comfortable there.

Even though Bahl deserves the spot before Luke, you gotta begin his development.

 

[PKs Broken Stick]

100% making the playoffs.

A good chance of making it to the 2nd round.

After that? not so good. lol

Not to sound dumb, but does 100% mean they statistically are guaranteed to make it (so like even if they lost every game from this point)? Or is it more like the likelihood of losing every game from now is super unlikely. I'm too lazy to do the math ha

100% making the playoffs.

A good chance of making it to the 2nd round.

After that? not so good. lol

Also, I think if they make the finals, their chances of cup goes up much higher. I think their chances of getting to the finals is much lower. Might just be me though. The west is very weak.

 

[devilsblood]

Only problem there is if Luke has a rough rookie year and Bahl doesnt progress enough defensively. Thats a hard spot to find a dman for a playoff run/short stint without eliminating one of em entirely from the roster

I personally like the idea of Graves on an expensive one-year deal. That way we can work Hughes in slower and maybe even play Bahl at RD if hes comfortable there.

Even though Bahl deserves the spot before Luke, you gotta begin his development.

I get it's risky, and maybe that adds value to the proposed Shara for Tanev type of trade mentioned above, so as to assure each guy has a stable partner.

But I just don't think you resign Graves if you think Bahl can play.

 

[bossram]

I think Bahl absolutely replaces Graves next year. I believe that is inevitable. I see the defense being

Sieg - Hamilton
Hughes - Marino
Bahl - UFA/Nemec

This is a very cheap 7 defense with tbe potential to be very good.

I think it would be a huge mistake to roll into a contending season with what are essentially 3 rookies on the blueline.

Bahl has not shown he can be a Graves replacement. I was as negative on the Graves acquisition as anyone, but he's played his role effectively this season. He is a top-four defenseman.

They'll need to replace him with another legit top-four D or find a way to re-sign him.

 

[Billdo]

I think Bahl absolutely replaces Graves next year. I believe that is inevitable. I see the defense being

Sieg - Hamilton
Hughes - Marino
Bahl - UFA/Nemec

This is a very cheap 7 defense with tbe potential to be very good.

And the potential to be a group that's too young and can't handle it.

 

[Oneiro]

Assuming a healthy lineup Shara vs Boq looks to be the competition. My guess is the team would rather have Shara, and this benching(if it indeed happens) while based on their respective play in recent games, is hoped to light a fire under Shara. But if Boq outplays Shara, then so be it.

And even though Tanev would be a good fit on the right side, I don't really like the idea of trading a 25 year old for a 34 year old who we'd probably have for one season.

It wouldn't surprise me if they look at Boqvist as the more versatile player at a lower cap hit. Better? Probably not, but trading Shara is as much about cap as it is about his undefined role, especially if Tatar is back.

The one year with Tanev is the point, on top of the style of game he plays and he's another instantly respected guy in the room with a fair amount of playoff experience. Everything is a step-down from Severson next year - a young Nemec or a different style of player in Tanev. But, at this stage of his career, Tanev's a player Nemec should be able to surpass by year's end, but good enough to be fine for us in the playoffs.

There are other, less complicated options for that stopgap RHD - Trevor Van Riemsdyk, Gudas, etc. But Tanev just seems like Fitzgerald's MO (character, experience, size / physicality without wrecking you in transition).

 

[devilsblood]

I think it would be a huge mistake to roll into a contending season with what are essentially 3 rookies on the blueline.

Bahl has not shown he can be a Graves replacement. I was as negative on the Graves acquisition as anyone, but he's played his role effectively this season. He is a top-four defenseman.

They'll need to replace him with another legit top-four D or find a way to re-sign him.

I think adding a vet RHD makes sense, but Bahl would not really be a rookie, and Hughes is a special kind of rookie.

If the Dev's think Bahl can play, I'm not seeing a LHD addition to replace Graves.

 

[Patrik26]

With all the speculation of Luke playing for us this season, even it's the only the final two games, leaves me wondering. If with two games remaining we're in a position to move in the standings one way or the other (1st or 3rd), does he then play? Will Fitz and Ruff be willing to risk playoff positioning with him?

 

[devilsblood]

It wouldn't surprise me if they look at Boqvist as the more versatile player at a lower cap hit. Better? Probably not, but trading Shara is as much about cap as it is about his undefined role, especially if Tatar is back.

The one year with Tanev is the point, on top of the style of game he plays and he's another instantly respected guy in the room with a fair amount of playoff experience. Everything is a step-down from Severson next year - a young Nemec or a different style of player in Tanev. But, at this stage of his career, Tanev's a player Nemec should be able to surpass by year's end, but good enough to be fine for us in the playoffs.

There are other, less complicated options for that stopgap RHD - Trevor Van Riemsdyk, Gudas, etc. But Tanev just seems like Fitzgerald's MO (character, experience, size / physicality without wrecking you in transition).

Boq vs Shara was more a this year competition.

Next year? Ya I guess a Shara for Tanev type deal does make sense. Would hate to see Shara score 30 goals though in a couple years while we let Tanev walk because Nemec was coming on board.

With all the speculation of Luke playing for us this season, even it's the only the final two games, leaves me wondering. If with two games remaining we're in a position to move in the standings one way or the other (1st or 3rd), does he then play? Will Fitz and Ruff be willing to risk playoff positioning with him?

Depends on how good they think he is right now. Is he better then Bahl right now?

And those final 2 games would then show their hand as to how they handle the playoff lineups.

 

[NjdevilfanJim]

Like to see maybe a Connor Clifton type pickup....He's improved would be a good third pair add...Plays physical game....

 

[theoptimist]

I think Bahl absolutely replaces Graves next year. I believe that is inevitable. I see the defense being

Sieg - Hamilton
Hughes - Marino
Bahl - UFA/Nemec

This is a very cheap 7 defense with tbe potential to be very good.

Brendan Smith?

 

[theoptimist]

Only problem there is if Luke has a rough rookie year and Bahl doesnt progress enough defensively. Thats a hard spot to find a dman for a playoff run/short stint without eliminating one of em entirely from the roster

I personally like the idea of Graves on an expensive one-year deal. That way we can work Hughes in slower and maybe even play Bahl at RD if hes comfortable there.

Even though Bahl deserves the spot before Luke, you gotta begin his development.

Graves is a mid career professional, a one year deal is not feasible for him nor his agent nor the NHLPA lol. He should be signing for nothing less than 4 years.

 

[NHL Fanatik]

Graves is a mid career professional, a one year deal is not feasible for him nor his agent nor the NHLPA lol. He should be signing for nothing less than 4 years.

While I agree its in his best interest to do so, he may really want to win and be willing to take a one or two deal if its worth a lot. If its two years you could move him the second year if you wanted

Odds are he doesnt but its worth a shot

 

[MasterofGrond]

And the potential to be a group that's too young and can't handle it.

Then you make a deal and bring somebody in. Always 3rd pairing defenseman on the market.

 

[Forge]

I think Bahl absolutely replaces Graves next year. I believe that is inevitable. I see the defense being

Sieg - Hamilton
Hughes - Marino
Bahl - UFA/Nemec

This is a very cheap 7 defense with tbe potential to be very good.

I would assume that Smith just takes the right side third pair unless Nemec just takes it from him (which I don't expect).

 

[devilsblood]

I would assume that Smith just takes the right side third pair unless Nemec just takes it from him (which I don't expect).

A Bahl/Smith on his off hand, doesn't look like a great pairing to me.

Add a solid 3rd pair RHD and Smith hangs in as the 7th(which we need anyways).

Brendan Smith?

Smith as the 7th, Nemec as depth who starts the season in Utica.

 

[Nubmer6]

A Bahl/Smith on his off hand, doesn't look like a great pairing to me.

Add a solid 3rd pair RHD and Smith hangs in as the 7th(which we need anyways).

As far as I know Smith was regularly playing on the right side the last few years before he came here.

 

[Forge]

A Bahl/Smith on his off hand, doesn't look like a great pairing to me.

Add a solid 3rd pair RHD and Smith hangs in as the 7th(which we need anyways).

I would have Luke with Smith, Bahl with Marino. That way there is at least one reliable transporter on every pair.

If they can find a better third pairing that they want to give the job to over Smith, I'm sure they will, but I'd wager they are bargain shopping and it's someone in the Smith tier more so than a clear upgrade