I would rather have a 3rd/4th round extra pick than a guy who probably won't be resigned. Same goes for Ryder, Havlat, Zid, Sal if you can get anything for them, it's building for the future, that's the only way they can help us at this point in their careers.
- Devils9503

But you still have to wait for the deadline before these guys get close to that value. And it is absolutely more valuable for the franchise to be in the playoffs then have a couple extra mid round picks.

But you still have to wait for the deadline before these guys get close to that value. And it is absolutely more valuable for the franchise to be in the playoffs then have a couple extra mid round picks.
- rmdevil313

If they do make the play offs and lose in the first round and miss the next season does it really become more beneficial to the franchise or having young players coming up to improve your chances each year instead of trying to improve your chances once only to hurt yourself the next few years. We have broken the shoot out curse this season and scored more goals but here we are in the same postion we where in last season. Looks like all year this year we will be talking about how close they are all season to watch them come up short. I get you make big time money off play offs but if your team is built like ours then you need to realize that even if the best case scenario plays out you likely arent making it out of the second round and if you do you won't be back there the next season so to me if you are going to overchieve and hurt your draft selection at least be a team who can afford to pass up on top ten talent for second round appearances. So let's assume we go for it this year sneak in and lose in 5 in the second round? Then we draft a two way prospect who likely tops out as a Zajac if that and we miss the play offs the next season what the hell does that do for the franchise other then delay how long it will take to see constant success instead of just periodically.

If they do make the play offs and lose in the first round and miss the next season does it really become more beneficial to the franchise or having young players coming up to improve your chances each year instead of trying to improve your chances once only to hurt yourself the next few years. We have broken the shoot out curse this season and scored more goals but here we are in the same postion we where in last season. Looks like all year this year we will be talking about how close they are all season to watch them come up short. I get you make big time money off play offs but if your team is built like ours then you need to realize that even if the best case scenario plays out you likely arent making it out of the second round and if you do you won't be back there the next season so to me if you are going to overchieve and hurt your draft selection at least be a team who can afford to pass up on top ten talent for second round appearances. So let's assume we go for it this year sneak in and lose in 5 in the second round? Then we draft a two way prospect who likely tops out as a Zajac if that and we miss the play offs the next season what the hell does that do for the franchise other then delay how long it will take to see constant success instead of just periodically.
- blizzzard

What if we draft 7th and it turns out to be the next Gilbert Brule?

Your whole scenario is based the idea that making the playoffs this year somehow doesn't allow us to make the playoffs next year. We don't have a clue what the team will look like. Maybe we're better maybe we're worse, there's nothing we can do about that now. Also, my point with Brule is that there are good and bad players drafted everywhere. Except for Staal and Carter, all the best forwards in 03 went in the second half of the round.

I'm not saying the team should be looking to add a rental. I'm not saying the team should under no circumstance sell some of the players. But right now is not the time to be addressing this. These players should be given every chance to make a run for the playoffs, its why Cammy signed here, why Schneider signed a long term extension.

Oilers - 3
Devils - 2

Some scrub like Matt Hendricks will get a goal.
- FLdevilsFAN

copycat

copycat
- TheJerseyDevil1

Fine, Devils score 2 late goals in 3rd but lose in regulation. Fasth looks like a Vezina candidate, Henrique gets a point, Elias looks skyward after ringing one of the post twice, and Fayne shows why NJ didn't re-sign him by not being able to standout on a team like Edmonton.

I won't disagree with the trolls: right now, NJ sucks hard. Notwithstanding some sort of miracle or new team identity, they'll hang around 2-3 points out of a playoff spot the entire year and then rise above the surface maybe for a small glimmer of hope before dying out and ending up finishing 21st in the league. This is about 80% likely to happen. 10% we get even worse, 10% we become the team that we're not supposed to be.

NJ is in a transition and needs a brand new identity. They don't have it, yet. No miracle trade will help this team come back. Lou's made some stupid moves, and managers pay for stupid moves. He shouldn't have brought Parise to arbitration... that was the worst organizational mistake he's ever made. It's a quick fall and a slow rise (unless you tank and get a franchise player) in this league.

Edmonton gets a good look at Larsson tonight before they trade us Fayne & a 4th for him.

What if we draft 7th and it turns out to be the next Gilbert Brule?

Your whole scenario is based the idea that making the playoffs this year somehow doesn't allow us to make the playoffs next year. We don't have a clue what the team will look like. Maybe we're better maybe we're worse, there's nothing we can do about that now. Also, my point with Brule is that there are good and bad players drafted everywhere. Except for Staal and Carter, all the best forwards in 03 went in the second half of the round.

I'm not saying the team should be looking to add a rental. I'm not saying the team should under no circumstance sell some of the players. But right now is not the time to be addressing this. These players should be given every chance to make a run for the playoffs, its why Cammy signed here, why Schneider signed a long term extension.
- rmdevil313

2015 Offseason
UFA: Jagr, Havlat, Ryder, Brunner, Sal, Zid, Tootoo, Bernier, Clemmensen, Harrold
RFA: Gelinas, Larsson, Matteau, Helgeson, Kinkaid, Wedgewood

Noteable free agents, Imo: Stewart, Stafford, St. Louis, Staal, Zuc, Vermette, Williams, Boychuk, Martin, Green, Franson, Petry

2016 Offseason
UFA: Elias, Ruutu, Zubrus, Gionta
RFA: Boucher, Merrill, Hrabarenka, Scarlett, JJ

2015 Roster if UFA are not signed:

Cam-Zajac-
Elias-Henrique-
Clowe-JJ-
Zubrus-Gionta-Ruutu

http://www.tsn.ca/craig-s...ill-leads-eichel-1.132206

http://www.tsn.ca/iss-hoc...ankings-november-1.125403

If we were to pick 7th there are plenty of guys that could help our offense going forward. And that doesn't include if we win the lottery, doubt it, but it could happen. And yes, while they might not pan out, I'd rather take that chance than not make the playoffs for years to come because there are no UFA that are going to put this team over the top next year and most of the second line/third line guys that there are will be overpaid big time and everyone complains about Clowe, wait until we sign Stafford for over 5 million than people will really be complaining. Signing free agents every year to fix our holes is a poor way of building a team, I can understand if we signed one or two guys if we were a contender and have a real chance of winning the cup, but we are not. And let's say they do make the playoffs and get beat in the first round in 5 games, that's 2 home games if we finish 7th/8th. We are already 3 points out on our division and 4 for a wildcard spot. We could be out even more by the end of this west coast trip. IF we fall back too far, lets say 8/9 points by next week than we should be looking to see what assets we could get for guys who will be gone this year or next year even if that means getting 2nd-4th round picks. We have been picking some pretty good players the past 5/6 years in those rounds. Signing free agents to fill holes is not the answer, we have been doing that for the past 2-3 summers and missed the playoffs. The Devils have two winning streaks the first three games and the two games last week.

I won't disagree with the trolls: right now, NJ sucks hard. Notwithstanding some sort of miracle or new team identity, they'll hang around 2-3 points out of a playoff spot the entire year and then rise above the surface maybe for a small glimmer of hope before dying out and ending up finishing 21st in the league. This is about 80% likely to happen. 10% we get even worse, 10% we become the team that we're not supposed to be.

NJ is in a transition and needs a brand new identity. They don't have it, yet. No miracle trade will help this team come back. Lou's made some stupid moves, and managers pay for stupid moves. He shouldn't have brought Parise to arbitration... that was the worst organizational mistake he's ever made. It's a quick fall and a slow rise (unless you tank and get a franchise player) in this league.
- archromat

thanks for the percentage breakdown. i guess it takes a real math scientist to shed light upon the truths.

I wish we could steal one of Edmonton's kids. 1 Eberle plz.

2015 Offseason
UFA: Jagr, Havlat, Ryder, Brunner, Sal, Zid, Tootoo, Bernier, Clemmensen, Harrold
RFA: Gelinas, Larsson, Matteau, Helgeson, Kinkaid, Wedgewood

Noteable free agents, Imo: Stewart, Stafford, St. Louis, Staal, Zuc, Vermette, Williams, Boychuk, Martin, Green, Franson, Petry

2016 Offseason
UFA: Elias, Ruutu, Zubrus, Gionta
RFA: Boucher, Merrill, Hrabarenka, Scarlett, JJ

2015 Roster if UFA are not signed:

Cam-Zajac-
Elias-Henrique-
Clowe-JJ-
Zubrus-Gionta-Ruutu

http://www.tsn.ca/craig-s...ill-leads-eichel-1.132206

http://www.tsn.ca/iss-hoc...ankings-november-1.125403

If we were to pick 7th there are plenty of guys that could help our offense going forward. And that doesn't include if we win the lottery, doubt it, but it could happen. And yes, while they might not pan out, I'd rather take that chance than not make the playoffs for years to come because there are no UFA that are going to put this team over the top next year and most of the second line/third line guys that there are will be overpaid big time and everyone complains about Clowe, wait until we sign Stafford for over 5 million than people will really be complaining. Signing free agents every year to fix our holes is a poor way of building a team, I can understand if we signed one or two guys if we were a contender and have a real chance of winning the cup, but we are not. And let's say they do make the playoffs and get beat in the first round in 5 games, that's 2 home games if we finish 7th/8th. We are already 3 points out on our division and 4 for a wildcard spot. We could be out even more by the end of this west coast trip. IF we fall back too far, lets say 8/9 points by next week than we should be looking to see what assets we could get for guys who will be gone this year or next year even if that means getting 2nd-4th round picks. We have been picking some pretty good players the past 5/6 years in those rounds. Signing free agents to fill holes is not the answer, we have been doing that for the past 2-3 summers and missed the playoffs. The Devils have two winning streaks the first three games and the two games last week.
- Devils9503

All of those free agents are more of the same old garbage bin crap we've been getting.

You seriously think Stafford or Stewart who cant even make an impact in Buffalo are worthwhile additions?

Petry? Martin? A 1,000 year old St. Louis? Jagr & Elias aren't old and on the decline enough for NJ? When's the last time Staal was relevant?

This settle for crap is what's wrong in NJ in the first place.

NJ has an entire roster of 3rd-4th liners at FW with maybe 2 exceptions and you want to add more?

I don't mean you specifically but the mentality. I agree these UFA signing by Lou need to be curtailed.

All of those free agents are more of the same old garbage bin crap we've been getting.

You seriously think Stafford or Stewart who cant even make an impact in Buffalo are worthwhile additions?

Petry? Martin? A 1,000 year old St. Louis? Jagr & Elias aren't old and on the decline enough for NJ? When's the last time Staal was relevant?

This settle for crap is what's wrong in NJ in the first place.
- FLdevilsFAN

Exactly. I don't think Stafford or Stewart or whoever else you mentioned would be good better additions than drafting a high prospect. rmdevil313 doesn't want to sell off guys for mid picks, whether they are 3rd or 4th round picks and stock up our prospects. Those were the only UFAs that are the best players available.

Exactly. I don't think Stafford or Stewart or whoever else you mentioned would be good better additions than drafting a high prospect. rmdevil313 doesn't want to sell off guys for mid picks, whether they are 3rd or 4th round picks and stock up our prospects. Those were the only UFAs that are the best players available.
- Devils9503

Thqt UFA crop is crap. Lou must sign players just for the sake of it sometimes. Don't sign yet another 3rd liner just for the sake of making a move, because inevitably he ends up signing a stupid deal.

NJ needs to build through the draft & later round picks are where NJ excels.

the ideas I'm trying to convey, is that your proposal was so low that it wasn't worth countering. I'm not looking to trade them, hence no counter, so if you really want them you'll have to give much more.
- MartysBetter88

F u

I hope JJ's alright.

Exactly. I don't think Stafford or Stewart or whoever else you mentioned would be good better additions than drafting a high prospect. rmdevil313 doesn't want to sell off guys for mid picks, whether they are 3rd or 4th round picks and stock up our prospects. Those were the only UFAs that are the best players available.
- Devils9503

That is not what I've been saying at all.

Thqt UFA crop is crap. Lou must sign players just for the sake of it sometimes. Don't sign yet another 3rd liner just for the sake of making a move, because inevitably he ends up signing a stupid deal.

NJ needs to build through the draft & later round picks are where NJ excels.
- FLdevilsFAN

They have been building through the drafts, but prospects take time to develop. Who do you want to play in the meantime?

rico

rico
- Rangers_Suck01

What happened?

What happened?
- Devils9503

Had a shorthanded breakaway and missed

That is not what I've been saying at all.
- rmdevil313

That's what I got from the post you said earlier. This is from you, the top post on page 3. "And it is absolutely more valuable for the franchise to be in the playoffs then have a couple extra mid round picks." Having 2 or 3 home games in the playoffs for one year isn't for valuable than compete for many years. If we get a top 10 pick or top 5, that player could possibly play next season and while the later picks will take a couple years we are starting to have guys come up. Blake Coleman and Pietlla will be making the jump to Albany next year with all they other guys that have this year, noen of them might not be 1st line players, but even having our bottom nine figure out is also valuable because we don't have to overpay for 2nd/3rd/4th line players.

Had a shorthanded breakaway and missed
- Rangers_Suck01

O good, I thought he got injured.

They have been building through the drafts, but prospects take time to develop. Who do you want to play in the meantime?
- rmdevil313

You play the players so they develop. There's always stop gaps. Play the poopty prospects you think wont pan out if you have to, worst case you get a great pick the following year.

You don't need to have the oldest roster in the league then wonder why you suck & people skate right around you.

I'm against signing someone for the sake of making a move because then you get horrible contracts in Lou's case.

Some UFAs aren't worth signing. At all. Stop gaps are one thing, like Havlat you really can't complain as much because it's one yr deal (I still think it was a pointless signing because he's a bottom 6 player & NJ already has a dozen), but the 5 yr deals need to go.

That's what I got from the post you said earlier. This is from you, the top post on page 3. "And it is absolutely more valuable for the franchise to be in the playoffs then have a couple extra mid round picks." Having 2 or 3 home games in the playoffs for one year isn't for valuable than compete for many years. If we get a top 10 pick or top 5, that player could possibly play next season and while the later picks will take a couple years we are starting to have guys come up. Blake Coleman and Pietlla will be making the jump to Albany next year with all they other guys that have this year, noen of them might not be 1st line players, but even having our bottom nine figure out is also valuable because we don't have to overpay for 2nd/3rd/4th line players.
- Devils9503

I'll take the playoffs any day over a 3rd round pick. That's not the same as saying that I would never trade one of players for picks at some point this season.

And I'll ask again, how are we getting this top 5 pick? Schneider probably won't let the team be that bad by himself. There is no being bad just this year to get a top 5 pick. Its either blow up the team or keep building around what we have. With the goaltending and defense this team should have soon I really don't think it needs to be blown up.

You play the players so they develop. There's always stop gaps. Play the poopty prospects you think wont pan out if you have to, worst case you get a great pick the following year.

You don't need to have the oldest roster in the league then wonder why you suck & people skate right around you.

I'm against signing someone for the sake of making a move because then you get horrible contracts in Lou's case.

Some UFAs aren't worth signing. At all. Stop gaps are one thing, like Havlat you really can't complain as much because it's one yr deal (I still think it was a pointless signing because he's a bottom 6 player & NJ already has a dozen), but the 5 yr deals need to go.
- FLdevilsFAN

That might work in NHL15, but let's stick to reality.