Devils team discussion (news, notes and speculation) - season begins!

[woody footbreaker]

How on earth are people actually considering trading Casey after what he's shown during his first year of professional hockey?

Move heaven and earth to get rid of Hamilton the moment his NTC goes to a modified 10 list NTC.

But if it's between Casey and Nemec, I think you move Nemec because (a) you probably get a better return because of his draft positioning and (b) Casey has the higher ceiling. Casey could legitimately be a top 5-10 defenseman in the league ala Quinn Hughes or Adam Fox - he is that caliber of talent. Nemec doesn't have that sort of upside IMO.

But we're better off keeping both and bribing the Sharks to take Hamilton off our hands this summer.

absolutely agree ...

Douggie is contract is a serious risk going forward and if we have a chance to trade him and free up cap space, it should be done this offseason.

hard to judge where Nemec and Casey will peak and thats why i said, there can be arguments made for either of them to keep/move. but honestly keeping both makes zero sense when there is a need at center which cant get fixed due to lack of cap space available. with Silaeev coming over in 2 years, there is no way we can work them all-in while trying to compete for cups and we cant wait for all of them. Knowiing where the teams is at right now, you bet in a redraft, they would take a center.

Kaspar and Geekie would fit our needs the best from the 22 draft, they both play 3rd line center right now. Still like Danielson more and if you trade Nemec for him and get a pick back, would be nothing more then if we had traded down at the time. There is definitely a certain risk attached in keeping him cause after 2yrs the position the guys where drafted are just a number. And if we cant move Douggie, there could be offersheets coming our way when Nemec needs a new contract.

And i agree, there is a possibilty where Casey could bring more to the team then Nemec, especially when Douggie would be moved. We could sign another guy in the mold of Kovy to replace Nemec.

 

[Goptor]

Feels like Nemec is getting pretty underrated around these parts lately. Should be pretty funny in a few years.

Just goes to show how absurd our young talent on defense is. Abundance of riches there.

Its not the absurdity of the young talent. Its the amount of vet talent at RD. The guy we picked up as a 7th D was playing like a top10 Dman in the league for the first couple weeks.

 

[StevenToddIves]

We just need to sell him on the virtues of California living.


Necas doesn't have an elite ceiling. If all goes well he could be a reliable top pairing guy who can play all situations and create a moderate amount of offense from the backend. But he's not a true shut down kind of guy, and his offensive game is pretty limited because of his skating.

Casey could legitimately challenge for a Norris if things go well.

I'm going to disagree with this on the basis of probably having as good a record forecasting draft-eligible/prospect defensemen as anyone in North America over the past 20 years.

Nemec has NHL all-situations, 1D upside. I'm not putting too much stock in his struggles in the opening 9 games of his 20-year-old season. This is not a knock on Seamus Casey, who is also a terrific prospect. But underselling Nemec does nothing to promote Casey. The Devils are extremely fortunate to have both of these players.

 

[Deviled]

absolutely agree ...

Douggie is contract is a serious risk going forward and if we have a chance to trade him and free up cap space, it should be done this offseason.

hard to judge where Nemec and Casey will peak and thats why i said, there can be arguments made for either of them to keep/move. but honestly keeping both makes zero sense when there is a need at center which cant get fixed due to lack of cap space available. with Silaeev coming over in 2 years, there is no way we can work them all-in while trying to compete for cups and we cant wait for all of them. Knowiing where the teams is at right now, you bet in a redraft, they would take a center.

Kaspar and Geekie would fit our needs the best from the 22 draft, they both play 3rd line center right now. Still like Danielson more and if you trade Nemec for him and get a pick back, would be nothing more then if we had traded down at the time. There is definitely a certain risk attached in keeping him cause after 2yrs the position the guys where drafted are just a number. And if we cant move Douggie, there could be offersheets coming our way when Nemec needs a new contract.

And i agree, there is a possibilty where Casey could bring more to the team then Nemec, especially when Douggie would be moved. We could sign another guy in the mold of Kovy to replace Nemec.

Why cant we find a center in free agency or a cheaper veteran trade? Does everyone have to always be under the age of 25 and expensive, costing us 2nd overall players or impressive Michigan standouts?

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

I'm going to disagree with this on the basis of probably having as good a record forecasting draft-eligible/prospect defensemen as anyone in North America over the past 20 years.

I'd be interested to hear about your successes here!

I predicted Adam Fox would be a perennial Norris contender before he set foot in the NHL, so I consider myself to be pretty good in this area as well. I also had Seider over Broberg which I think was pretty unusual at the time.

Nemec has NHL all-situations, 1D upside.

I don't disagree, I think he could be a low end #1, but I think he'll be the type of guy who would probably be a #2 on a cup contender. Which is why I referred to him as a top pairing dman - he could be a 1B or a 2A IMO.

I'm not putting too much stock in his struggles in the opening 9 games of his 20-year-old season. This is not a knock on Seamus Casey, who is also a terrific prospect. But underselling Nemec does nothing to promote Casey. The Devils are extremely fortunate to have both of these players.

It's not just the opening 9 games of this season. His struggles began at the mid-point of last season:

This is not a knock on Seamus Casey, who is also a terrific prospect. But underselling Nemec does nothing to promote Casey. The Devils are extremely fortunate to have both of these players.

How am I underselling Nemec when I essentially project him to have the same ceiling as you?

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1854283334500938123

lmao

 

[billingtons ghost]

... And we're talking about which stud dman to trade? None.

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1854283334500938123

lmao

Can't believe he was brought up as a serious name around here to be coach lol

 

[Deviled]

...

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1854283334500938123

lmao

Jeez…he got screwed, that team they put together was awful.

 

[Emperoreddy]

... And we're talking about which stud dman to trade? None.

Yepp. You keep them both. Don't think there is going to be a trade worth their value offered to us.

Just enjoy having an insanely excellent young blueline

 

[None Shall Pass]

I'd trade a stud D-prospect for a stud center prospect without thinking.

A lot of the rationale behind picking Best Pick Available is that when you end up with too many "hits" in one position, you can move that for another team's "hit" in your position of weakness.

Our weakest position in the prospect department is, without a doubt, center. Haula's play this season has alleviated that at the NHL level, but we're one Nico/Jack/Haula injury away from disaster.

We so badly need a good center playing in the AHL. For that team's sake and the NHL's.

 

[Billdo]

Can't believe he was brought up as a serious name around here to be coach lol

You do realize that Utica has absolutely nothing as far as players. It's a joke, he was never going to be successful. The team is a joke and the organization should be embarrassed for the product they're giving their fans.

 

[woody footbreaker]

Why cant we find a center in free agency or a cheaper veteran trade? Does everyone have to always be under the age of 25 and expensive, costing us 2nd overall players or impressive Michigan standouts?

because there wont wont be enough cap space to bring in a veteran and an average 3C wont cut it.
3yr ELC for a potential 2nd line center arent cheap and you have to give to get.

there wont be enough opportunities for both to play enough NHL games to develope

Fitz should try to build this team into a serious and sustainable contender for years to come instead of praying that everybody stays health and year after spending picks for rentals. Once we are right there you can still do it, but for now i would see a trade as an investment for years to come. we dont have any rookies (forwards) to work in this year and could use someone to work in as a forchecking winger for example. and i didnt say Nemec cant become what you think based on his draftposition, its up to the coaches to project both in a year or two.

speaking of projections, curious to know what guys think who has higher upside as a pp1 guy, Luke or Seamus?

 

[Bleedred]

Can't believe he was brought up as a serious name around here to be coach lol

You do realize that Utica has absolutely nothing as far as players. It's a joke, he was never going to be successful. The team is a joke and the organization should be embarrassed for the product they're giving their fans.

I don't blame him for what's going on in Utica, but I'm just happy I never have to hear his name thrown into the ring as a possible interim head coach or permanent head coach for the NHL team.

Not that it was really happening on the last Fire Lindy watch, but it was happening plenty of times during the initial Fire Lindy watch.

And he was also a joke head coach in the NHL (we almost lost to his team that was lucky to make the playoffs that year, which he was as much of a joke as that team was lol) and that time he won gold with the women's Canadian hockey team at the Olympics, couldn't some of us have coached that team and done that?

Maybe he's a candidate for head coach in Boston when they fire Montgomery soon?!

 

[devilsblood]

Speaking of Utica being a trash heap...

Why not bring up Foote to play on that 4th line? Foote Dowling Tatar? Could be OK.

3-5-8 in 8 GP's for Foote down in Utica.

 

[devilsblood]

You do realize that Utica has absolutely nothing as far as players. It's a joke, he was never going to be successful. The team is a joke and the organization should be embarrassed for the product they're giving their fans.

Uh, are you not familiar with 2021 1st round pick Chase Stillman?

 

[Mgd31]

Can't believe he was brought up as a serious name around here to be coach lol

He got results last year with no talent. I think they came a few points away from the playoffs.

At some point when you have nothing to work with, the dam just breaks and you can't do anything about it.

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

He got results last year with no talent. I think they came a few points away from the playoffs.

At some point when you have nothing to work with, the dam just breaks and you can't do anything about it.

He was a mid to bad coach in the NHL before with Florida, he was never gonna be the answer here on the big club

You do realize that Utica has absolutely nothing as far as players. It's a joke, he was never going to be successful. The team is a joke and the organization should be embarrassed for the product they're giving their fans.

Like I said above, he was mid to bad as a NHL coach with Florida in the past. He was not gonna be good with this core and was a major risk to even be interim last year

 

[NJDevs26]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1854283334500938123

lmao

Fitz is a Lou wannabe in a lot of ways, one being Lou let Albany rot for the last two decades here just like Fitz has let Utica rot. Draft all the goalies you want, it don’t mean crap if they just get lit time after time on a poor team

 

[PizzaAndPucks]

Fitz is a Lou wannabe in a lot of ways, one being Lou let Albany rot for the last two decades here just like Fitz has let Utica rot. Draft all the goalies you want, it don’t mean crap if they just get lit time after time on a poor team

Utica was good 2 and 3 seasons ago. They have struggled mightily this year and we're very mediocre last year. It's not like Utica has been trash every year since we merged with them though. I'm sure this will be an eye opener for Fitzgerald and hopefully the Comets owner (Robert Esche) will be adamant about them fixing the roster issue with free agent signings next season.

They should get some scoring help on the wings with Hameenaho & Squires going there next season too. The alarming thing is how bad Daws & Poulter have been. Daws being on a 1 way contract next season is still a bit baffling. Fitz must of really had a lot of faith in him last summer to give him that sweetener. Hopefully he turns things around fast or that we can keep sign Allen to an extension. The future in goal past the next 2 seasons is still murky at best.

 

[R8Devs]

Speaking of Utica being a trash heap...

Why not bring up Foote to play on that 4th line? Foote Dowling Tatar? Could be OK.

3-5-8 in 8 GP's for Foote down in Utica.

But then you'll leave the defensive group and the goalies with an even worse group of forwards to work with. Hard envionment to develop. Another reason to claim a player on waivers but since they didn't and haven't called up Foote yet maybe they really are just going to ride Macdermid and potentially 11-7 until Bastian comes back.

 

[Billdo]

Uh, are you not familiar with 2021 1st round pick Chase Stillman?

Oh how could I forget. He'll soon have his jersey retired along with Tedenby, Josefson, Corrente, etc.

 

[Triumph]

Fitz is a Lou wannabe in a lot of ways, one being Lou let Albany rot for the last two decades here just like Fitz has let Utica rot. Draft all the goalies you want, it don’t mean crap if they just get lit time after time on a poor team

Utica is bad because they're not willing to spend big on UFA AHLers and they don't have any big-time prospects there besides Casey. As I said in the AHL thread, they should have a good defense there, though - they have decent AHLers + Vilen + Casey.

Speaking of Utica being a trash heap...

Why not bring up Foote to play on that 4th line? Foote Dowling Tatar? Could be OK.

3-5-8 in 8 GP's for Foote down in Utica.

Foote has played 202 games in the 5+ seasons since he has been drafted. That is a ridiculously small number but because of COVID and injuries it's what he's done. He could use a good run of games down there playing big minutes instead of playing 7 minutes with a nothing 4th line.

 

[Hisch13r]

Utica is bad because they're not willing to spend big on UFA AHLers and they don't have any big-time prospects there besides Casey. As I said in the AHL thread, they should have a good defense there, though - they have decent AHLers + Vilen + Casey.

If they end up sending Nemec down then an AHL D of Casey/Misyul/White/Nemec/Vilen is pretty crazy. The forward group is so bad though