Speculation: RHD: who goes where? Hamilton Ekblad Karlsson Pulock

[Glorydays22]

For Montreal the fit is Pulock

Isles trade Pelech and Mayfield before they move Pulock.

 

[RationalExpectations]

Isles trade Pelech and Mayfield before they move Pulock.

Depends on respective returns and the road the new GM decides to take.

 

[Glorydays22]

Depends on respective returns and the road the new GM decides to take.

although Isles fans should expect changes to the roster. I don't think we will seen 5 or 6 guys gone. It will be a little at a time. I think Engvall (buyout) Cizkas (trade), Parms (not resigned) are gone. Think mgmt will try to trade Pagaeu, Lee, and either Mayfield or Pelech in the offseason. But if they can't without giving up assets, you will see them hold them until next year's TBL - Lee and Pageau with 1 yr will get the isles something and who knows about Mayfield. There were talking Tor was interested for a bit.

 

[Vergil]

I understand that Hamilton isn’t the most physically aggressive guy. But physics can’t be denied. He’s huge. Whether he plays soft or not, he has the size to absorb contact that a smaller player just can’t do. Plus he’s got elite skills. Jersey needs him. Trade Nemec.

How many playoff wins has Hamilton's size contributed to the Devils in his four years? I can hear the Jeopardy music play while you invent some more mental gymnastics. Seriously, I'll never understand this size obsession. This isn't basketball where every inch matters.

Hamilton should be moved to clear space for Quinn (since that's obviously the direction this team will be going in). Then, you promote a guy like Nemec or Casey and see what they can do. If they can't cut it, then you trade them in a package for someone more capable.

Is Dougie a bad player? Nope. I just don't think he's your ideal #1 guy. The problem is, at $9M per, he's being paid like he is your #1.

 

[Curufinwe]

Flyers will overpay for one and then they will be be injured - see Ellis and Risto.

 

[Smitty426]

I completely understand the age and injury risk that comes with Hamilton. I don’t blame anyone for refusing a trade for him. I think Hamilton is a good player for any team but there’s a lot of risk involved with acquiring him.

The Devils have an uncommon problem with a logjam at RHD. It shouldn’t be hard to move Dougie but I do get why certain teams would be skeptical. Especially those with a potential 1RD in place.

As I said to another fan he could be a good player to take the burden off of your young players but I get it if you’d pass.

I have read where Buf is somewhat in need of this (not my words). And also read here where the $ is an issue. Does Dougie consider adding Buf to one of his 10 team clasue? How did he like playing for Lindy? what could come the other way (coud be adds from Jersey to sweeten the pot). Also does Dougie waive for a team like Buf who is trying to get to the next level (when they hit, they are going to be good for a while imo)

 

[Smitty426]

Devils already play small (because they are). Trading away their top D man, who is 6’6” would be a huge mistake. Trade a little guy like Nemec.

Ony 4 players sub 6' and they are mostly elite (Hughes, Bratt, Haula, Casey). I am onboard with getting bigger but they have gotten bigger since last year and need to continue that. More snarl is really what they need.

 

[Baksfamous112]

Ony 4 players sub 6' and they are mostly elite (Hughes, Bratt, Haula, Casey). I am onboard with getting bigger but they have gotten bigger since last year and need to continue that. More snarl is really what they need.

Your elite players are the ones that are the more often on the ice. You need more snarl in your top 6 for sure. The guys on NJ that have the most ice time are all butter soft.

 

[TheNewEra]

not a top 4 guy but cody ceci being signed by yzerman to replace petry and holl just makes a lot of sense

 

[Nico Cauzuki]

Would love Pulock in Montreal to pair with Hutson

 

[Smitty426]

How many playoff wins has Hamilton's size contributed to the Devils in his four years? I can hear the Jeopardy music play while you invent some more mental gymnastics. Seriously, I'll never understand this size obsession. This isn't basketball where every inch matters.

Hamilton should be moved to clear space for Quinn (since that's obviously the direction this team will be going in). Then, you promote a guy like Nemec or Casey and see what they can do. If they can't cut it, then you trade them in a package for someone more capable.

Is Dougie a bad player? Nope. I just don't think he's your ideal #1 guy. The problem is, at $9M per, he's being paid like he is your #1.

This right here. His size does help in getting to pucks. His offense is key!
Casey has same skill set as Dougie (Luke and Quinn TBH) but not the size (reach and heft). Nemec looks like he might be out of the doghouse. Unfortunately is Quinn is traded here I see Nemec (and maybe Casey TOO) as part of the package. Hamilton was a little pushed out of PP1, which I think was silly, only recently has Luke come into his own here (and thats because of DH injury). He's not as good as DH but the skating is. Unless we offload Palat and DH contracts I see Quinn as a FA add. We also have Sil coming on the left side. It was not long ago that we craved a real defender in Jersey!

 

[Smitty426]

Your elite players are the ones that are the more often on the ice. You need more snarl in your top 6 for sure. The guys on NJ that have the most ice time are all butter soft.

Bratts not soft, but I hear you. I hope the Avs let go of Colton. He's a little overpriced but can play up in our lineup, grew up here and is a big fan. Has the size speed snarl I think we need more of. We have alot of dead wood at the bottom of the F lineup, thats needs addressing as well

 

[Baksfamous112]

Bratts not soft, but I hear you. I hope the Avs let go of Colton. He's a little overpriced but can play up in our lineup, grew up here and is a big fan. Has the size speed snarl I think we need more of. We have alot of dead wood at the bottom of the F lineup, thats needs addressing as well

I don't think your depth is too bad. If your 3rd and 4th line can give you good non-event minutes with a few sparks here and there (goals, big hits, big PK kill) then you're well off

 

[Smitty426]

I don't think your depth is too bad. If your 3rd and 4th line can give you good non-event minutes with a few sparks here and there (goals, big hits, big PK kill) then you're well off

exactly

 

[Baksfamous112]

exactly

The problem is finding talent (ideally young) that can play in your top 6 and be a real physical difference is almost impossible and will get harder with the cap going up the next couple of years. Teams will want to keep those players and will have the cap to do so.

 

[STL fan in MN]

St Louis fans I've heard say that they wouldn't mind adding a RHD and rolling Parayko, new guy and Faulk on the right side, but that seems like a luxury somewhat that might not be realistic in terms of asset management and cap management.

Any RD brought in would probably hinge on Faulk going elsewhere as yeah, that’d be a lot of Cap on D otherwise.

That said, probably more of a hope than a reality.

 

[Vergil]

This right here. His size does help in getting to pucks. His offense is key!
Casey has same skill set as Dougie (Luke and Quinn TBH) but not the size (reach and heft). Nemec looks like he might be out of the doghouse. Unfortunately is Quinn is traded here I see Nemec (and maybe Casey TOO) as part of the package. Hamilton was a little pushed out of PP1, which I think was silly, only recently has Luke come into his own here (and thats because of DH injury). He's not as good as DH but the skating is. Unless we offload Palat and DH contracts I see Quinn as a FA add. We also have Sil coming on the left side. It was not long ago that we craved a real defender in Jersey!

One of them would almost surely be moved in a Quinn trade, you're right. But I doubt both of them will be. You trade one of Nemec or Silayev (or Casey, but if I was NJ I wouldn't move him), Mercer and Melovsky since they need centers really badly. Then you add a first round pick and call it a day.

In my mind, they keep Nemec and move Silayev. But if they want Nemec, you do the deal.

Incidentally, I think you need to move Hamilton before making a trade for Quinn Hughes anyways, so you could possibly use assets from that move to get Quinn too. Unless they want Hamilton in the trade for whatever reason.

 

[I am not exposed]

Pretty sure Ekblad is signing with Tampa as a UFA.

 

[miscs75]

Any RD brought in would probably hinge on Faulk going elsewhere as yeah, that’d be a lot of Cap on D otherwise.

That said, probably more of a hope than a reality.

Want a guy who grew up in the STL area that’s an RD?

 

[STL fan in MN]

Want a guy who grew up in the STL area that’s an RD?

The player? Sure. Would probably fit well on our 3rd pairing. Mayfield’s contract though? That’s where it becomes a no.

 

[miscs75]

The player? Sure. Would probably fit well on our 3rd pairing. Mayfield’s contract though? That’s where it becomes a no.

That dang contract always becomes the technicality.