How about them Devs, smacked the Bruins around like they stole something last nite. Really like what this young team is doing. Here's hoping they don't run out of gas when they have to play significant games back to back to back.... But in the meantime, NJoy!!!!!
Yep totally agree. We knew playing only division games vs the likes of Washington, Boston, Philly etc...every night that we'd have some rough ones. We played well after the 1st period but dug ourselves too deep of a hole.
Pavel Zacha – 14 points after 32 games.
Jack Hughes – 12 points after 26 games.
Zacha reached it in 15 fewer games and Hughes in 11.
According to Capfriendly the Devils will have approximately $38.5 million in cap room. The following are UFA's:
Kyle Palmieri
Nikita Gusev
Travis Zajac
Ryan Murray
Sami Vatanen
Dmitry Kulikov
Aaron Dell
Connor Carrick
Matt Tennyson
Here is the list of restricted FA's:
Michael McLeod
Yegor Sharangovich
Nathan Bastian
Janne Kuokkanen
Nick Merkley
Now obviously some of that cap room will go towards re-signing some of the players but the Devils should still be among the top teams in terms of available cap space. Also I hope the Devils are able to trade a few players out of Gusev, Miles Wood, Zajac, Vatanen, Kulikov, Murray at the deadline.
I would prefer to see the Devils try to extend Palmieri before the deadline and if they are too far apart then I would consider trading him as well because they would get at least a 1st round pick for him. If Palmieri is moved hopefully it's to a team that probably can't afford to re-sign him in the offseason.
The players I would look to re-sign are
Kyle Palmieri 3 years $18 million
Dmitry Kulikov 2 years $4 million
Sami Vatanen 1 year $2 million
RFA Michael McLeod 3 years $4.5 million
Michael McLeod has improved significantly from a year ago even if it's not really showing up on the stat sheet. We could see him take a big leap forward offensively next season. Don't expect a Zacha type of improvement but McLeod could eventually be a 40+ point player who provides more defensively.
Subban's deal expires after the 2021-22 season which is when Jack Hughes, Jesper Bratt, and Pavel Zacha become restricted free agents. This is why it's great to have all that cap room. The Devils will have plenty of room to extend all three.
Bratt and Zacha will be coming off their bridge deals while Jack Hughes will likely sign a long term deal similar to Hischier. I hope that they give Hughes a max 8 year deal. If Zacha keeps playing this well then I would like to see him sign for 5-7 years as well. Bratt should receive a 4-5 year deal when his current one expires.
The Devils have a nice core on the roster already but they are still very green. If Holtz develops into the player that many expect then he will be a dangerous goal scorer and a perfect compliment to Hischier, Hughes, and Zacha. IMO Mercer has a very high floor and is likely to become a very valuable piece that can contribute in all areas. Hopefully Nolan Foote continues to improve his skating because he could be an asset next to Hughes or Hischier.
The Devils finally have some great shooters in the system but I would like to see them add another in the draft and of course another defenseman. Obviously the Devils won't be in position to land Owen Power unless the Devils are hit hard with injuries. Several defensemen are projected to go in the top 10. Luke Hughes or Graeme Clarke's brother Brandt would be great but they too will likely be off the board unless the Devils land a top 5 pick. There are still some great options in the 5-12 range too.
RW Dylan Guenther would look great on the first or second line if the Devils decide to go forward again. Guenther is an elite scorer and is very fast which makes him a natural fit for the Devils system.
LW William Eklund is Alexander Holtz's teammate and they have also been line mates most of the season. He would make a lot of sense for the Devils as well. He's close to being ready for the NHL and he could come over the following year along with Holtz. The Devils have drafted teammates quite often lately (Michael McLeod and Nathan Bastian), (Mitchell Hoelser, Nikita Okhotiuk, Graeme Clarke), (Jack Hughes, Case McCarthy, and Patrick Moynihan).
Seattle will clean up in the expansion draft. They will likely land numerous high draft picks to select some bad contracts.
Great point, I was very happy that they landed Foote in the Coleman trade because he is huge and physical. At the time of the trade I thought that he would be great protection for Hughes while being the finisher that the team desperately needed.
I hope that Foote is ready for the NHL next year. Graeme Clarke reportedly is far away and needs another year in juniors. He hasn’t played much for Binghamton which is disappointing. This doesn’t mean that he’s a bust he’s just further away than I anticipated.
Here is a video of one of his goals.
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Here is a video of one of his goals. Link - ( New Window )
That's great. Looking real forward to seeing him in Jersey soon.
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Yea but they played well for much of the game. The Devils were exposed for who they are when they match up against two very good teams in Washington and the Isles.
This is what we were expecting going into the season but the positives far outweigh the negatives. If the Devils continue to slide then it at least allows them the opportunity to play the young kids more and work through the struggles. They could also begin to sell some assets that aren’t part of the long term. In the long run landing another high 1st round pick will set them up nicely for the future.
Once the NCAA season ends the Devils should sign Tyce Thompson and Aarne Talvitie to ELC’s.
And he was scratched tonight. Let's hope this is the kick in the ass that he needed.
I agree; how did they go from what they were to this? Sure it sucks that Hischier is out again but the defense has been awful and Blackwood has struggled too. I am growing concerned about Ruff. Some of his lineup decisions have been puzzling.
The Devils need to make some staff changes this offseason at the very least and they need to add another top 4 defenseman to the mix.
Also as I keep saying Foote, Bahl and Mercer are so needed to click as prospects. This team gets pushed all over the ice. We need some size to go along with the skill. I'd keep Subban around. His contract only has a year and a half left, we will get nothing on the market and he hasn't been bad this year and he displays leadership back there. Vatanen on the other hand... oyyy that ship sunk in a hurry. The lost season for Nico has been awful. We really were starting to click a bit with him in the lineup.
Different one. He got hit in the face shield with a Subban slapper. Broke a cheek bone. He's week to week.
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Nico - has it been the same injury or just different thing compiling?
Different one. He got hit in the face shield with a Subban slapper. Broke a cheek bone. He's week to week.
Oof. That's rough. hope he gets back after the games vs the Isles. Always like him but would rather not have to play against him
Also as I keep saying Foote, Bahl and Mercer are so needed to click as prospects. This team gets pushed all over the ice. We need some size to go along with the skill. I'd keep Subban around. His contract only has a year and a half left, we will get nothing on the market and he hasn't been bad this year and he displays leadership back there. Vatanen on the other hand... oyyy that ship sunk in a hurry. The lost season for Nico has been awful. We really were starting to click a bit with him in the lineup.
They really do need to hit on their draft picks. Thank god Ty Smith looks good and Zacha is having a break out year. It was frustrating that they passed on Barzal for Zacha years ago at least it stings a little less. After a hot start McLeod has regressed again and could be another miss. Bastian has shown very little as well.
The Devils really need at least two out of Foote, Holtz, and Mercer to become top 6 forwards. Hopefully we will see Bahl or Okhotiuk in NJ before the end of the season. The Devils could certainly use more physical play on the blue line.
"Teams would now be limited to no more than two lottery wins in a five-year period, would only be allowed to jump ten spots with a win, and only two picks (instead of three) will be determined with a lottery win. "
"The New Jersey Devils, however, who are near the bottom of the standings once again, would not be eligible to win a lottery pick if their previous wins were taken into account. The Devils won the first overall pick in both 2017 (Nico Hischier) and 2019 (Jack Hughes), so they may be ineligible this time around."
PROPOSED Draft Lottery Changes - ( New Window )
"Teams would now be limited to no more than two lottery wins in a five-year period, would only be allowed to jump ten spots with a win, and only two picks (instead of three) will be determined with a lottery win. "
"The New Jersey Devils, however, who are near the bottom of the standings once again, would not be eligible to win a lottery pick if their previous wins were taken into account. The Devils won the first overall pick in both 2017 (Nico Hischier) and 2019 (Jack Hughes), so they may be ineligible this time around." PROPOSED Draft Lottery Changes - ( New Window )
Thanks for sharing but this wouldn't take place until 2022 the earliest.
"Teams would now be limited to no more than two lottery wins in a five-year period, would only be allowed to jump ten spots with a win, and only two picks (instead of three) will be determined with a lottery win. "
"The New Jersey Devils, however, who are near the bottom of the standings once again, would not be eligible to win a lottery pick if their previous wins were taken into account. The Devils won the first overall pick in both 2017 (Nico Hischier) and 2019 (Jack Hughes), so they may be ineligible this time around." PROPOSED Draft Lottery Changes - ( New Window )
haha try reading the 1st paragraph of the story you linked. Like Jay said the changes wouldn't start till 2022. Also a link from the 1st paragraph from that story explains that previous lottery wins don't count. Honestly I don't even care about winning it this year as their is no clear cut #1. A top 5 pick would be great.
Of all our 1st rounders last year he was the one the experts were gushing over immediately. High ceiling g guys are great, but at that point in the draft that was a really strong pick. I think he has to be in NJ next year. Scoring wise he's hitting his ceiling in juniors.
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In the last week, 4 GP Mercer had 3 goals and 5 assists. He now has 13 goals and 13 assists in 17 games this season. I loved the Mercer pick but I realized that I underrated his offensive skill set. Mercer is becoming my favorite prospect in the system.
Of all our 1st rounders last year he was the one the experts were gushing over immediately. High ceiling g guys are great, but at that point in the draft that was a really strong pick. I think he has to be in NJ next year. Scoring wise he's hitting his ceiling in juniors.
I was high on Mercer in the draft but I not expect him to fall to 15. Landing him after Holtz was very exciting. Unfortunately, Holtz has not had the season that most expected him to but he is under contract for another year anyway so he wasn’t going to come over to the NHL next season. Holtz is still an exciting prospect but Mercer is much closer to the NHL.
While I think Mercer could benefit from another year in juniors he is ready for the NHL next year if the Devils decide to bring him over. They need to sign Tyce Thompson this offseason. He has nothing left to prove in college.
I can’t argue with you. This is embarrassing. Time to clean house!
I have no idea but they deserve credit for fighting back. All three 3rd period goals were even strength too.
Yeah unfortunately Smith got caught out there too long and was dead on his feet. Oh well the compete factor in the 3rd period is what I wanna see every night. We're going to lose a lot in this division but the effort put out there in the 2 Rangers games is completely unacceptable.
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Loves playing against the Devils.
Yeah unfortunately Smith got caught out there too long and was dead on his feet. Oh well the compete factor in the 3rd period is what I wanna see every night. We're going to lose a lot in this division but the effort put out there in the 2 Rangers games is completely unacceptable.
I don't care if they finish last in the division as long as they are showing effort and the young players are progressing. Their performance against the Rangers was demoralizing.
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In comment 15171469 Jay on the Island said:
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Loves playing against the Devils.
Yeah unfortunately Smith got caught out there too long and was dead on his feet. Oh well the compete factor in the 3rd period is what I wanna see every night. We're going to lose a lot in this division but the effort put out there in the 2 Rangers games is completely unacceptable.
I don't care if they finish last in the division as long as they are showing effort and the young players are progressing. Their performance against the Rangers was demoralizing.
What is bizarre is how bad they are at home. They have been superb on the road, even against the elite teams. Home they can't even beat the Sabres.
I wasn't a fan of Okhotiuk in round 2, Vukojevic in round 3, Cole Brady in round 4 (I really wanted Dustin Wolf), or Tyce Thompson in round 4. Obviously I was very wrong about Thompson who has been much better than I expected.
Graeme Clarke's offensive skill set is impressive. The one issue with him becoming a top 6 forward in the NHL is his skating. He's reportedly already improved a bit there so that is an encouraging sign. Clarke is a very skilled stick handler and he has a great, accurate shot. He earned very little playing time in Bing the first four games but the last 2 and 1/3 he has earned more time and recorded two goals. His goal last night was a nice one where he used Nolan Foote as a screen and displayed impressive quick, accurate shot.
I think the Devils should give him at least a couple of weeks off. The season is over anyway might as well give Dell more time to see if he should return next year. I'd like to see Gilles Senn receive a few starts towards the end of the season.
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