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

[Blender]

Ya, played 9 minutes his first game, had 3 sog's, was a +2 in on ice corsi, +1 in on ice sog's, a +1 in GF's.

Only played 5 minutes in his next game and looks like his line got pinned in their own end posting a 0-8 on ice corsi.

Played a little under 5 minutes his 2nd game. Back to even in terms of possession though no individual sog's and was then back to Utica.

I think he could have gotten a longer leash then, but he went back to Utica played really well, and fast fwd a bunch of months and he is up again and looking really good. So I may have questioned the handling of his early stint in NJ but overall it seems to have worked out.

I don't think his early taste in the NHL could "ruin" him or anything, I just don't see the point in calling up someone like that as a body. Call up some plug that you don't see any promise in.

 

[HischierSeDgewOrk]

The way Hischier has stepped up has me so excited about our potential next season. 90 and 70 point centers would be tremendous for this team.

 

[HischierSeDgewOrk]

And he has washboard abs.

If Zacha has Z's washboard abs and his work ethic, he would be Keith Tkachuk. But he's soft in the middle like the pillsbourghy dough boy.

 

[Hisch13r]

The way Hischier has stepped up has me so excited about our potential next season. 90 and 70 point centers would be tremendous for this team.

Those projections are on the low end for both too.

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

If Zacha has Z's washboard abs and his work ethic, he would be Keith Tkachuk. But he's soft in the middle like the pillsbourghy dough boy.

If Zetterlund’s listed weight is actually accurate, he is crazy lean for carrying that much weight at his height.

 

[Rydev]

Even PK is hot for Nico

View attachment 530351

Is it possible PK hangs up the skates next year and remains with the team in some form of development coaching capacity?

I only ask because hes quite the people-person and certainly has an eye for the game. And he seems to command respect from the younger guys

I know his age and the likelihood that, even if he retired early, hed go into TV broadcasting which would pay nicely; but having PK added to our development staff would be awesome IMO.

I wonder if Travis Zajac is also considering this route

 

[britdevil]

PK is destined for TV, I'd be shocked if he considers a future in coaching...

 

[glenwo2]

Is it still possible that Nico Hischier might actually be a better player than Brian Gionta or Jamie Langenbrunner?

Wow. No takers for this discussion?

I guess no one wants to get into a debate.

 

[Rydev]

PK is destined for TV, I'd be shocked if he considers a future in coaching...

I do think hed be incredible as a broadcaster, and would help bring a lot of new eyes to games on TNT or ESPN. Hes extremely charismatic and has a way with words that gets people talking

But there is something to be said about taking the sport out of a guy when he retires; and with how fiery PK has been his entire career, I wouldnt be surprised if he felt the need to stay involved

 

[Bleedred]

Wow. No takers for this discussion?

I guess no one wants to get into a debate.

This is clearly sarcasm aimed at a certain MIA poster that said Langenbrunner, Gionta, among others are better than Hischier.

 

[Bleedred]

Is it possible PK hangs up the skates next year and remains with the team in some form of development coaching capacity?

I only ask because hes quite the people-person and certainly has an eye for the game. And he seems to command respect from the younger guys

I know his age and the likelihood that, even if he retired early, hed go into TV broadcasting which would pay nicely; but having PK added to our development staff would be awesome IMO.

I wonder if Travis Zajac is also considering this route

I feel like he’s probably gonna play another 1-3 years after this.

I think there was just no interest at the deadline because of his cap hit.

I remember when Joe Thornton didn’t go at the deadline in 2020 and yet Patrick Marleau (who was clearly much worse) did.

 

[devilsblood]

I don't think his early taste in the NHL could "ruin" him or anything, I just don't see the point in calling up someone like that as a body. Call up some plug that you don't see any promise in.

Well looking at those game logs they gave him minutes that first game, but then really didn't like that 2nd game and cut the minutes way back.

They gave him one more game even if it wasn't much of an oppurtunity.

I can see the reasoning, and end of the day it's all good.

 

[devilsblood]

Wow. No takers for this discussion?

I guess no one wants to get into a debate.

There is no juice around a Gionta or Lang's topic.

Poorly done by Bleed.

 

[Eggtimer]

Rentals rarely work

Rental to me means = squire at trade deadline and expires after that season .
Stop gap = guy signed for 1-2 years to see what he can do and fill a roster spot until hopefully a prospect or better option comes up , fits the cap room and follows a timeline for when money comes off the books .

 

[devilsblood]

Is it possible PK hangs up the skates next year and remains with the team in some form of development coaching capacity?

I only ask because hes quite the people-person and certainly has an eye for the game. And he seems to command respect from the younger guys

I know his age and the likelihood that, even if he retired early, hed go into TV broadcasting which would pay nicely; but having PK added to our development staff would be awesome IMO.

I wonder if Travis Zajac is also considering this route

My first thought is doubtful..

But does he really want to be a lightly paid 3rd pairing guy? Maybe not.

He'd definitely get a sweet TV job.

 

[Hisch13r]

If Yegor-Nico continue to click I'm open to Bratt-Jack-Holtz and Yegor-Nico-Nuke/Mercer next year

 

[RangerDoggo]

I can see PK taking a non-player role with us for a season. The young guys here really do enjoy having him around.

 

[NjDevsRR]

There is no juice around a Gionta or Lang's topic.

Poorly done by Bleed.

@Bleedred right now

 

[NJDevs26]

My first thought is doubtful..

But does he really want to be a lightly paid 3rd pairing guy? Maybe not.

He'd definitely get a sweet TV job.

Financially he’d probably get paid more for a TV job next year but I do think he likes ‘the life’ too much to retire voluntarily this offseason. Plus there’s always the chance maybe he takes the cheap deal to latch on with a contender towards the end.

 

[FooteBahl]

I just don't see adding a top 6 fwd.

Why? That player would be expensive to acquire and then expensive to retain.

Personally I'm fine with Shara Bratt Mercer and Holtz as the top 6 wing mix for next year.

If I'm looking to add anyone, it's a gritty mid 6 winger. Or a grittier two way 3C which would move Boq to wing.

f*** it. I hope Fitz spends like a drunken sailor on July 1. We have Nico and Jack on ludicrously good contracts and an elite farm system that affords us to cut bait if someone wants to outspend us on our own players. Shit, someone could become allergic to their equipment and go on LTIR. I’m done with basement dwelling and mediocrity. We’re building a damn dynasty here!

 

[Hisch13r]

f*** it. I hope Fitz spends like a drunken sailor on July 1. We have Nico and Jack on ludicrously good contracts and an elite farm system that affords us to cut bait if someone wants to outspend us on our own players. Shit, someone could become allergic to their equipment and go on LTIR. I’m done with basement dwelling and mediocrity. We’re building a damn dynasty here!

Spending like crazy is how you help f*** over your future. This team is already much closer than people believe it is. Move out Zacha and Johnsson. Grab Nuke, a goalie, and a 3RD. That’s really that needs to be done this offseason.

 

[NJDevs26]

They need a little targeted spending just the same…another top four D would be nice, so would an elite middle six wing with some size/physicality. And obviously try to plug the hole in our goaltending

 

[Hisch13r]

They need a little targeted spending just the same…another top four D would be nice, so would an elite middle six wing with some size/physicality. And obviously try to plug the hole in our goaltending

I really don’t see any need at all for another top 4 D. Dougie, Sevo, Siegs, and Graves is a good top 4.

 

[NJDevs26]

I really don’t see any need at all for another top 4 D. Dougie, Sevo, Siegs, and Graves is a good top 4.

We don’t know if two of those guys will (or should) be here beyond next year

The best case scenario you could make is re-sign one, use the other as a placeholder for Luke but tbh I’m not really sold on either Sevs or Graves as the long term option

 

[Triumph]

I don't think his early taste in the NHL could "ruin" him or anything, I just don't see the point in calling up someone like that as a body. Call up some plug that you don't see any promise in.

A: The Comets don't have many 'plugs', the only AHL veteran forwards on contracts there are DeLeo, Gauthier, Flynn, and Gambardella, but I can't see the latter two being NHL worthy at this point

B: I don't think it was a guarantee Zetterlund was going to only play that little, that's just how things shook out.