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

[Guttersniped]

I wouldn’t be surprised if he returns to the Devils, unless he gets a backup gig elsewhere.

I would imagine Devils would like to get a veteran for that 3G spot to keep Daws/Schmid in the minors for a full year. I assume maybe they could consider Daws as the 3G too, but a vet would be ideal.

Wedgewood signed a two year deal with us so Dallas has him next season.

Edit: Nope, he’s a free man after this.

 

[Oneiro]

First off it wasn't Bergenheim as their leading scorer. It was Fleischmann with 61. Bergenheim was 11th with 23 in 62. Fun fact that's actually a higher leading scorer than our 03 Cup team lol

For Bergenheim it looks like he had another couple decent years in Florida but was traded to Minnesota mid year in 14-15 where he only had 1 pt in 17 games and that was it for him in the NHL

Whoa, thanks, yeah guess my eyes played tricks on me, misread that one. But uh, Fleischmann/Weiss was better at the time but still, nothing to write home about.

 

[Hisch13r]

I wonder if it makes any sense to overpay for a UFA rather than trade what will likely be a bunch of assets to get a goalie ? Not sure what we are better off doing

I’m not making a trade unless it’s for a great goalie and those aren’t moving.

 

[Poppy Whoa Sonnet]

Wedgewood signed a two year deal with us so Dallas has him next season.

Capfriendly says he's a UFA?

Thank You - CapFriendly - NHL Salary Caps

Thank you for the amazing 9 years

www.capfriendly.com

Scott Wedgewood Contract, Cap Hit, Salary and Stats - CapFriendly - NHL Salary Caps

Scott Wedgewood contract, salary, cap hit, salary cap, aav, career earnings, lifetime earnings, aav, advanced stats, transaction history, trade history, and rfa or ufa free agent status

www.capfriendly.com

 

[Guttersniped]

Capfriendly says he's a UFA?

Thank You - CapFriendly - NHL Salary Caps

Thank you for the amazing 9 years

www.capfriendly.com

Scott Wedgewood Contract, Cap Hit, Salary and Stats - CapFriendly - NHL Salary Caps

Scott Wedgewood contract, salary, cap hit, salary cap, aav, career earnings, lifetime earnings, aav, advanced stats, transaction history, trade history, and rfa or ufa free agent status

www.capfriendly.com

Whoops, I thought it was two years for some reason. My bad.

 

[Zippy316]

Oh god yes . We need a legit #1 in top of Blackwood and Bernier . Way too risky to count on those two plus Wedgewood over an entire season

This would be the dream scenario.

But no goalie — or at least one that would actually make a difference versus another 3G option like Wedgewood — is signing with the Devils knowing there’s two NHL quality goalies to compete with. If Bernier’s hip is still holding him back, then it’s possible.

I guess it could always happen via trade but if the Devils are carrying Blackwood + Bernier + another goalie, none of them are going to be happy.

 

[Eggtimer]

If wedgewood is our move to “ shore up” our goaltending … we could be out of the playoffs by Christmas once again . Bernier won’t be ready until ?? And when he is ready , who the hell knows how good he can be anymore . And Blackwood is a big ??? as well . Relying on Wedgewood to be our starter is scary as hell . Keumper or Husso are the only moves that we know are available that I’d be comfortable with . Thing is , those guys will be getting paid $$$

 

[Zippy316]

The biggest issue with goaltending is Devils ideally want someone with experience who can come in and get results. I don’t think they’d be looking for maybes like Samsonov or Spencer Knight, although the latter does likely have a bright future ahead. Even Campbell or Husso might be a bit of a risk with a short track record.

So you’re probably looking at a veteran option with an established track record. The only options I could see being available would be Binnington or Gibson. Both are massive risks with their contracts and recent performance too.

 

[glenwo2]

If wedgewood is our move to “ shore up” our goaltending … we could be out of the playoffs by Christmas once again . Bernier won’t be ready until ?? And when he is ready , who the hell knows how good he can be anymore . And Blackwood is a big ??? as well . Relying on Wedgewood to be our starter is scary as hell . Keumper or Husso are the only moves that we know are available that I’d be comfortable with . Thing is , those guys will be getting paid $$$

Tbh, I don't think $$$ is the issue but whether we would have the cap space.

 

[Hisch13r]

Tbh, I don't think $$$ is the issue but whether we would have the cap space.

We'll easily have the space. The issue should be term. Handing them big deals on short term is fine. If they want long deals then that's iffy.

 

[Bleedred]

The biggest issue with goaltending is Devils ideally want someone with experience who can come in and get results. I don’t think they’d be looking for maybes like Samsonov or Spencer Knight, although the latter does likely have a bright future ahead. Even Campbell or Husso might be a bit of a risk with a short track record.

So you’re probably looking at a veteran option with an established track record. The only options I could see being available would be Binnington or Gibson. Both are massive risks with their contracts and recent performance too.

I'd rather sign Husso to a one or two year deal than touch either of Binnington or Gibson.

Gibson is maggot food at this point.

Binnington is at best a slightly above average goalie, but nowhere near worth his cap hit.

This year he's really bad and in his rookie year he was really good.

The two other seasons he's been just above average.

I'm not even high on Husso, but both Binnington and Gibson have real buyout potential written all over them. Gibson is already a buyout after this year if he only had 2-3 years left and not 5.

 

[RSeen]

I wonder what type of production we can expect from Mercer and Holtz in their D+3 year.

Kyle Connor put up 25G 19A in 55GP in the AHL in his D+2 year, then proceeded to put up 31G 26A in 76GP in his D+3 year.

That is some serious increased production and I don't expect either to have that type of production next year, but I have some level of optimism that they could each put up 50+ points in a top 6 role.

 

[Hisch13r]

I wonder what type of production we can expect from Mercer and Holtz in their D+3 year.

Kyle Connor put up 25G 19A in 55GP in the AHL in his D+2 year, then proceeded to put up 31G 26P in 76GP in his D+3 year.

That is some serious increased production and I don't expect either to have that type of production next year, but I have some level of optimism that they could each put up 50+ points in a top 6 role.

Mercer's on pace for 47 right now with basically all primary production. Only 4 of his 41 pts are second assists. His primary production could stay the same and he should end up over 50 just by him getting more 2nd assists. There's been 386 forwards to play 500 minutes and Mercer ranks 339th in A2/60.

I'm not going to expect it from Holtz but it wouldn't necessarily surprise me. Especially if the PP improves next year and he's a big weapon on PP1.

 

[Rydev]

I wonder what type of production we can expect from Mercer and Holtz in their D+3 year.

Kyle Connor put up 25G 19A in 55GP in the AHL in his D+2 year, then proceeded to put up 31G 26P in 76GP in his D+3 year.

That is some serious increased production and I don't expect either to have that type of production next year, but I have some level of optimism that they could each put up 50+ points in a top 6 role.

Was Connor's 3rd season in the NHL? And then Im guessing you meant 26A for assists, just clarifying.

That is definitely a steep increase; if thats in the NHL then even its more impressive

I think Mercer can hit 50 points if hes in the top-6 consistently. Holtz, if he makes the team, I expect to bounce around the lineup a bit along with some press box time (not much). If I could see 20 goals from him Id be happy with that.

 

[RSeen]

Was Connor's 3rd season in the NHL? And then Im guessing you meant 26A for assists, just clarifying.

That is definitely a steep increase; if thats in the NHL then even its more impressive

I think Mercer can hit 50 points if hes in the top-6 consistently. Holtz, if he makes the team, I expect to bounce around the lineup a bit along with some press box time (not much). If I could see 20 goals from him Id be happy with that.

Yes it was and yes I meant 26A, my mistake.

 

[Rydev]

Yes it was and yes I meant 26A, my mistake.

If I had Mercer in for 82 games and Holtz for around 65-70, I think a safe yet positive outlook on their production would be around or above 56 points for Dawson, and around or above 20 goals and 32 points for Alex.

My estimate for Alex may be low to some but ultimately I think hell spend some time sitting when hes getting lost too often during rough stretches. After all, I expect us to try and get ourselves a wildcard spot next year.

 

[Emperoreddy]

We aren't carrying 3 NHL goalies next year. If they sign or trade for a 1B type then Bernier is being sent to the glue factory.

If they trade for a true starter then Blackwood is most likely being traded back or traded for something else later.

Daws will be the 3rd goalie and start in Utica unless Schmid somehow takes that from him, and they sign a vet like Wedge to spilt time with them and be ready in a super wmergancy and Schmid starts in ECHL

 

[StevenToddIves]

I wanted to bring up University of Minnesota center Ben Meyers, who is now a UFA. He's a two-way beast who excels on draws, and although he lacks top-line upside, I'd say he possesses 2nd line upside and is a lock to be a 3rd line guy. He's a good skater who is extremely strong on his skates and the puck. Meyers' skill set is good and he has a very hockey hockey IQ.

The favorite to sign Meyers has to be Minnesota, who is both local and has a clear need for him. But of course the reason I'm mentioning him here is because he would be perfect as 3C for the Devils next year if they decide not to stick with Boqvist. If they do decide to stick with Boqvist, Meyers could perhaps push him down to the 4th line and make McLeod expendable. He'd be an excellent signing for NJ in any regard.

Top NCAA Prospect Ben Meyers is Catching NHL's Attention

An undrafted NCAA star, Ben Meyers has been rumored to have interest from NHL teams for a few years. Thanks to a strong showing with USA's Olympic team, that's only going to grow.

thehockeynews.com

 

[StevenToddIves]

@Tao Jersey Jones -- anything you would add on UFA ex-U. of Minnesota C Ben Meyers I may have missed?

 

[Hisch13r]

I wanted to bring up University of Minnesota center Ben Meyers, who is now a UFA. He's a two-way beast who excels on draws, and although he lacks top-line upside, I'd say he possesses 2nd line upside and is a lock to be a 3rd line guy. He's a good skater who is extremely strong on his skates and the puck. Meyers' skill set is good and he has a very hockey hockey IQ.

The favorite to sign Meyers has to be Minnesota, who is both local and has a clear need for him. But of course the reason I'm mentioning him here is because he would be perfect as 3C for the Devils next year if they decide not to stick with Boqvist. If they do decide to stick with Boqvist, Meyers could perhaps push him down to the 4th line and make McLeod expendable. He'd be an excellent signing for NJ in any regard.

Top NCAA Prospect Ben Meyers is Catching NHL's Attention

An undrafted NCAA star, Ben Meyers has been rumored to have interest from NHL teams for a few years. Thanks to a strong showing with USA's Olympic team, that's only going to grow.

thehockeynews.com

I'd be shocked if he's ever a 2nd liner. A guy like Vesey was more productive and topped out as a mediocre 3rd liner. That's probably more the type of upside you're looking at from Meyers. I don't think it's all that worth it.

 

[Tao Jersey Jones]

@Tao Jersey Jones -- anything you would add on UFA ex-U. of Minnesota C Ben Meyers I may have missed?

I haven't followed Myers.

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

Someone compared Ben Meyers to Coleman and it grabbed my attention. That’s probably a best case, but we could use that kind of player on a 3rd or 4th line.

 

[Guttersniped]

I wanted to bring up University of Minnesota center Ben Meyers, who is now a UFA. He's a two-way beast who excels on draws, and although he lacks top-line upside, I'd say he possesses 2nd line upside and is a lock to be a 3rd line guy. He's a good skater who is extremely strong on his skates and the puck. Meyers' skill set is good and he has a very hockey hockey IQ.

The favorite to sign Meyers has to be Minnesota, who is both local and has a clear need for him. But of course the reason I'm mentioning him here is because he would be perfect as 3C for the Devils next year if they decide not to stick with Boqvist. If they do decide to stick with Boqvist, Meyers could perhaps push him down to the 4th line and make McLeod expendable. He'd be an excellent signing for NJ in any regard.

Top NCAA Prospect Ben Meyers is Catching NHL's Attention

An undrafted NCAA star, Ben Meyers has been rumored to have interest from NHL teams for a few years. Thanks to a strong showing with USA's Olympic team, that's only going to grow.

thehockeynews.com

Yeah and a bunch of NHL teams, I haven’t heard us mentioned at all so I have no hope invested there.

It sucks watching the usual suspects (Bruins, Leafs, Rangers, Kings, Ducks, Wild etc) snap up guys to fill out their system.

I hope Utica doing better this season can be the start of a stronger minor league system that can attract more FA NCAA & CHL signings.

 

[Mgd31]

According to Blues fans, Montgomery took over coaching their PP and PK. PP went from 6th to 3rd but apparently looks a lot more dangerous. Also their PK went from 25th to 6th. They are really happy with the guy and don’t want to lose him.

 

[StevenToddIves]

I'd be shocked if he's ever a 2nd liner. A guy like Vesey was more productive and topped out as a mediocre 3rd liner. That's probably more the type of upside you're looking at from Meyers. I don't think it's all that worth it.

Devils are organizationally thin at center, especially for the bottom 6. Boqvist shows flashes, but we're not sure the consistency is there yet. McLeod is a serviceable 4th liner, especially with his face-off competency. Both of these players inject speed into the line-up, which is nice, but I'm not sure I'd be willing to commit to either of them yet as long-term options for the bottom 6.

Meyers would, if nothing else, give you another name to throw into that hat. If he's at least as good as Boqvist or McLeod -- which is conceivable -- he gives you more depth. With Zacha a likely trade candidate for the off-season, there is not a lot of flexibility if the Devils suffer an injury up the middle.

In the prospect pool, the Devils are barren. Pytlik's injuries have slowed his development to the point where you can best hope he's a future 4C, and he's the top center option in the pool right now. If you consider Salminen a center -- and I don't -- his stock is certainly down after the Devils reached for him a bit in the 3rd round last year. Shlaine is maybe an AHL guy, and Baumgartner was a wasted pick who could probably no longer be considered an AHL prospect, much less an NHL one. Zakhar Bardakov was probably the Devils best pick after the 1st round last year, but we're still not sure if he projects to center or LW.

All I'm saying, is it might make sense for the Devils to take a run at an almost NHL-ready 23 year old who might represent the best center UFA option out of the NCAA this year.