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

[None Shall Pass]

Our medical team is a horrible joke.

 

[Darkauron]

God our medical staff is so dumb. Worse than the coaching at this point i feel like.

 

[Hisch13r]

The Wood stuff is likely overblown here and not a big deal.

 

[Eggtimer]

Yeah there's maybe 5 guys FItz would be ok trading the 1st for and their respective GMs will all say no. But I would be shocked if FItz didn't shop the 2nd rounder to see who's the best G he can get for it is, and there may be a deal there.

Yes , I can see Fitz trading the pick if it’s for a legit top 5 or so goalie in league , but that’s very unlikely to come to fruition. I’d actually be ok with it but that’s only for a Vezina candidate one.
I can see Fitz go overboard in the assets he used to get one as he knows he can’t waste a third season in a row due to shit goaltending . Wasn’t his fault at all the first two times but he will go crazy to make sure it’s not a third time

 

[Bleedred]

This medical team needs to be shot into the sun if they screwed up Wood on top of the goalies and the ongoing Hamilton fiasco

I was about to say “Well I don’t know if they screwed up Bernier but definitely Blackwood”, then I remembered Bernier was in and out with injuries in camp/preseason and then missed some time in October or whenever we were dressing a Wedgewood/Daws tandem.

Yeah, this is a big mess. I wouldn’t be surprised if we saw an overhaul there too.

Not sure if this means anything, but we got a new head athletic trainer this year. The old one went to go join his buddy Hynes in Nashville this year lol.

 

[None Shall Pass]

God our medical staff is so dumb. Worse than the coaching at this point i feel like.

Yeah the coaching is just hurting our emotional states, sensibilities, and feelings. The medical team is out here actively hurting our players.

 

[bigd]

Fitz has been our GM for 2 years, his job is not in limbo at all and it shouldn’t be after the deal he gave to Hughes. Having our 2 starters die on us a month into the season was not part of the plan and there’s very little he could’ve done to make things right.

The amount of panic that’s been going around this past week about trading a top #5 pick for goaltender is absurd and if Fitz actually does that, then yes, he should be fired because it’s a fireable offence.

I agree, I wouldn't trade a top 5 pick for a goalie either but he will be trading that top 5 pick. That's not panic that's just a fact of moving forward. Another top 5 pick is not going to get us in playoff contention next year.
If we have another season like this season his job is not secure.

 

[Japam]

Wood is never playing more than 30 games in a season ever again. I was shocked he came back at all this season and not at all shocked that it only lasted 5 mins.

 

[Triumph]

I agree, I wouldn't trade a top 5 pick for a goalie either but he will be trading that top 5 pick. That's not panic that's just a fact of moving forward. Another top 5 pick is not going to get us in playoff contention next year.
If we have another season like this season his job is not secure.

And yet there have been so many GMs on so many hot seats over the years and the highest pick to move in a hockey trade since the establishment of the salary cap 17 drafts ago is a 7th overall. Snow traded down twice in 2009 from 5th to 9th.

 

[Hisch13r]

I agree, I wouldn't trade a top 5 pick for a goalie either but he will be trading that top 5 pick. That's not panic that's just a fact of moving forward. Another top 5 pick is not going to get us in playoff contention next year.
If we have another season like this season his job is not secure.

lol He’s not going to move a top 5 pick for a goalie. Also that would quite literally be panic move. He’d be panicking about his job security and making a move to prevent being fired. That’s a panic move.

 

[Emperoreddy]

Just send Daws back for f***s sake

 

[tailfins]

Goaltending in the league has gotten significantly more scarce. I haven't studied this in depth, but Rask hung them up at 34, Schneider was done at 33, Martin Jones fell apart at 28, Gibson appears to be falling apart at 26, Matt Murray didn't make it to 25. Fleury, Craig Anderson, and Mike Smith are the 3 old goalies I can think of. Without late 30s goalies around, it just puts that much more pressure on everyone else.

As for your list, Vladar is signed for NHL minimum which is enormous for a team that is likely going to be capped out next season. I think Hill gets moved over Kahkonen - why does San Jose make this trade otherwise, they're not going to make the playoffs.

The Rangers will probably non-tender Georgiev, he isn't worth his QO and has very little trade value.

But yeah, there isn't really anybody with two goalies who need to get rid of one. It's a rare thing that happens - the Rangers had it happen twice with Raanta and Talbot, Canucks with Luongo/Schneider, and so on, but we're way past peak goaltender at this point. Some teams are just gonig to do without goaltending.

I assume the Rangers will trade Georgiev before the RFA deadline. So, I don't think he's an option. Agree that he has limited value as unsigned RFA with a high QO, but the goalie market is so thin I think the Rangers can still get something back.

I agree that Calgary could keep Vladar. He's cheap and he's signed. But, I think they'd part with him as part of a deal where the Devils took Lucic. They could sign someone else as back-up and still come out ahead.

And I think the Lahonen decision comes down to contract. Clearly they aren't sold on Hill. But, if Lakhonen wants longer term / higher $$, I don't see how they commit to that. If it's a 2 year deal at reasonable cost, then I think SJS jettisons Hill.

 

[Oneiro]

Fitzgerald referred to 3-4 years out as the real window. You think Jiricek, Nemec, Slafkovsky, Wright, etc. don't help then?

Go back and look at cup winners. There are always a few guys on ELCs making major contributions - Marchand, Saad, Thomas and tons more.

He hasn't slipped yet, but I could see UFA this summer as a more likely spot for Fitz to make a mistake.

Re: the medical stuff, would not surprise me if we just let players dictate their return a bit too freely.

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

Great year, Jonas

 

[Camille the Eel]

We need a vet 3C (~26-32age) and and a worker type top 6 forward to slot on the right of Bratt-Hischier. I’m ok to leave the defense as is…Ty, Zacha+ for sale this summer

We need to generally get players who will play a much heavier and stronger game. When you watch the playoff clubs right now on an off night, whether it’s St. Louis and Minny last night, or Florida or Boston or Tampa or Calgary or whoever you will, even if they play a fast and high event style, they are physically strong and imposing and stand up to competition of that kind. Until we can prosper against that opposition, we will be flirting with the bottom 6.

So now having the key core pieces, how does Fitz get rid of the other guys who play light and perimeter and replace them with equally or more skilled players who can help us play the game the way winners play it today.

It’s a question of upgrading as many as 5 to 8 guys maybe. I do like some of what we have in Utica probably, if they can produce in the NHL.

 

[Blender]

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Great year, Jonas

One of the best defensive defenseman in the NHL this year, huge loss.

 

[MauDevils]

The Wood stuff is likely overblown here and not a big deal.

It's not normal to come back from surgery and get shut down for the rest of the season.

And our medical staff hardly deserves the benefit of the doubt.

 

[RSeen]

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Great year, Jonas

Needs to be resigned long-term in the offseason.

 

[RSeen]

Fitzgerald referred to 3-4 years out as the real window. You think Jiricek, Nemec, Slafkovsky, Wright, etc. don't help then?

Go back and look at cup winners. There are always a few guys on ELCs making major contributions - Marchand, Saad, Thomas and tons more.

He hasn't slipped yet, but I could see UFA this summer as a more likely spot for Fitz to make a mistake.

Re: the medical stuff, would not surprise me if we just let players dictate their return a bit too freely.

Best case scenario this year was we sneak into playoffs and get ousted in round 1. Now that we see what has happened, we get a likely top 5 pick that like you said will be an ELC contributor when our young core has accrued some additional years in the league and thus this contract can provide some cap savings.

If we can find a goalie, the way this year played out could provide for some positives in helping result in us having a higher probability of success IMO.

 

[Eggtimer]

We need to generally get players who will play a much heavier and stronger game. When you watch the playoff clubs right now on an off night, whether it’s St. Louis and Minny last night, or Florida or Boston or Tampa or Calgary or whoever you will, even if they play a fast and high event style, they are physically strong and imposing and stand up to competition of that kind. Until we can prosper against that opposition, we will be flirting with the bottom 6.

So now having the key core pieces, how does Fitz get rid of the other guys who play light and perimeter and replace them with equally or more skilled players who can help us play the game the way winners play it today.

It’s a question of upgrading as many as 5 to 8 guys maybe. I do like some of what we have in Utica probably, if they can produce in the NHL.

I agree with needing the type of players you mentioned . I have been trying to say this for awhile but get negative responses . I don’t think we need as many as you say (5-8) more . I’d say a revamped 3rd line and possibly one top 6 winger that can retrieve pucks better and crash/ drive the net ( maybe that guy is Mercer so ??)
I’d like to get a Zajac clone as the 3c . Defensive , solid , good face off guy that can play a heavy game if needed . Then Nishkushkin is the #1 slam dunk best player and fit with our team I can think of . He is a UFA so no assets needed to sign him . He plays the perfect style game yet has skill , plays the PP , PK , is on the ice last minute of the game to preserve a one goal lead . He’s exactly who we need . Add One other winger and I think we are in a much better spot next year . That would be a Marchment / Neiderrieder player . Both are perfect adds .
On defence I’d say one right handed shot /side player like a Seigenthaler would be amazing to add . Only UFA RHD though are Lybushkin Manson Gudbrannsen . Maybe there’s a Seigenthaler type but RHD out there somewhere ?
Last but certainly not least … a starting goalie . I’m at the point where I don’t care if we use our 1st round pick no matter how silly that sounds BUT -
( only if it’s Hellebuyk or Saros level goalie ) . If no stud is available , then use other assets but get an established guy , not a “ hopefully “ he is ready for the NHL ( Knight for example , but no way Panthers move him ) this or “ hopefully “ he isn’ injured again ( Price example )

 

[McDuffz88]

Fitz has been our GM for 2 years, his job is not in limbo at all and it shouldn’t be after the deal he gave to Hughes. Having our 2 starters die on us a month into the season was not part of the plan and there’s very little he could’ve done to make things right.

The amount of panic that’s been going around this past week about trading a top #5 pick for goaltender is absurd and if Fitz actually does that, then yes, he should be fired because it’s a fireable offence.

I would disagree, if Fitz goes into next season with Lindy Ruff then Fitz will be on the hot seat. As far as im concerned next year is either competing for a playoff spot or bust. If he remains with a lame duck coach which is exactly what Ruff is, then Fitz will be on the chopping block just like Shero was. If Ruff aint fired this offseason then he will be fired by mid season next year which would be another throwaway year which would 100% warrent a Fitz firing. How many years are we gonna throw away when we got Nico & Hughes locked up? People forget that Nico only has 5 more years left of his deal. We cannot afford to be wasting any more years.

 

[Bleedred]

Wood is never playing more than 30 games in a season ever again. I was shocked he came back at all this season and not at all shocked that it only lasted 5 mins.

I think that's quite the proclamation to make, that he's never playing more than 30 games in a season ever again. Do you think he's that injured that he won't be able to stay healthy for more than 30 games ever again?

I see no evidence right now that he'll never play more than 30 games in a season ever again. 30 games really isn't that high of a percentage for a skater.

If you were to say something like he's never playing more than 60 games again, I may be inclined to think that's reasonable.

 

[Camille the Eel]

I agree with needing the type of players you mentioned . I have been trying to say this for awhile but get negative responses . I don’t think we need as many as you say (5-8) more . I’d say a revamped 3rd line and possibly one top 6 winger that can retrieve pucks better and crash/ drive the net ( maybe that guy is Mercer so ??)
I’d like to get a Zajac clone as the 3c . Defensive , solid , good face off guy that can play a heavy game if needed . Then Nishkushkin is the #1 slam dunk best player and fit with our team I can think of . He is a UFA so no assets needed to sign him . He plays the perfect style game yet has skill , plays the PP , PK , is on the ice last minute of the game to preserve a one goal lead . He’s exactly who we need . Add One other winger and I think we are in a much better spot next year . That would be a Marchment / Neiderrieder player . Both are perfect adds .
On defence I’d say one right handed shot /side player like a Seigenthaler would be amazing to add . Only UFA RHD though are Lybushkin Manson Gudbrannsen . Maybe there’s a Seigenthaler type but RHD out there somewhere ?
Last but certainly not least … a starting goalie . I’m at the point where I don’t care if we use our 1st round pick no matter how silly that sounds BUT -
( only if it’s Hellebuyk or Saros level goalie ) . If no stud is available , then use other assets but get an established guy , not a “ hopefully “ he is ready for the NHL ( Knight for example , but no way Panthers move him ) this or “ hopefully “ he isn’ injured again ( Price example )

Amen. And of course a goalie is the first order of business, because we aren't escaping the bottom of the league without one. Yes we certainly hope that Blackwood gets healthy and proves to be a solid # 1 goaltender whom we can rely on. But there's no way we can go into next season assuming or even substantially hoping he will do that. He's a complete unknown quantity right now. So we don't need a Bernier or Crawford type. We need someone who we can be highly confident can play 50 games for us and give us a chance to win if the need arises.

Boston certainly bet the barn on Ullmark this year and made a good call there. They weren't ready just to rely on Swayman and see what Tuka would do post surgery. Blackwood right now is sort of between Swayman and Rask for the amount of confidence we can have in him next year. On this analogy, we need the equivalent of what Ullmark seemed calculated to give the Bruins. (It's just an analogy folks - please don't take it too literally).

 

[Eggtimer]

No Jack , no Seigs , no Wood , and having a ECHL goalie ( or worse ) in net = uh oh .
Cheering for Bratt Nico and Mercer points , Smith to not suck ass and keep it under 10 goals against . Oh and Philly / Seattle / Ottawa / Yotes / Habs wins

 

[Eggtimer]

The second we can talk to Nuke as a UFA , I want Fitz ready with a private jet to take him to NJ and wine and dine him and show him the area . He is going to get paid , but he is worth it