Ok, so I only read the 1st page of comments. Forgive me if It's been said:

Gudbranson, 5th
McCann, 2nd, 4th


looking a lot better now eh?

D are crazy expensive. But still, Edmonton should have got more. Or, traded Hall for a better D altogether!

However, despite all this Jesse P (no need to spell last name) and looks like Lucic. EDM will be just fine, if not better.

Also, Larsson is still maturing. Good D. He could still get a bit better. But, if I were an Oiler fan I'd be on suicide watch.... jk
- storm88

No, Larsson >>> Gudbranson. Sorry man, I like the Nucks but McCann is pretty good and that trade was a steal by the Panthers.

Didn't read through all of these, but did see a couple posts that bashed Shero's past moves. I think the lesson here is to never trade player for player with Ray.
Ryan Whitney for Chris Kunitz
Alex Goligoski for James Neal and Matt Niskanin
Colby Armstrong, Angelo Esposito and a 1st for Hossa and Dupuis
Staal for Sutter, Doumalin (top 4 D) and Pouliot (could still really develop)

Ray knows how to fleece other GM's and knows who to target.

I don't know if I'll ever come down from this high hahah us fans needed a shot in the arm like that after Ray bringing in every former pens personal he could things where looking a little sketchy but now with hall and still the same amount of dough to spend we could still get another quality player or two before the next season even starts ! I'm (frank)ing excited to say the least

You picked a strangely good time to come around man! Did you know something we didn't? This blog hasn't seen this much action since 2012.

The lineup absolutely looks better this year. I can't wait to see what the kids all look like in camp.
- TRDevil

I was frustrated reading all the bashing of Shero for not qualifying guys and how he hasn't done anything so I decided to chime in. I can't wait for camp now too! This off season just got so much more interesting.

23 year old 4th overall pick, used to facing top competition for more than a season, 6'3, 205lbs, 2-way dman with the poise of a veteran, 5 years left of a 4.16 cap hit. VERY nice addition to any defense.

Last year he really solidified his game and himself as a top pair guy. He's no Doughty or Carlson, but he'd be the guy you want next to them. VERY sad to see him go and he leaves a huge hole.
- MartysBetter88

Definitely agree with you but looking at our organizational depth something had to be done. Sucks it was Larsson but potential 25-30 goal scorers, point per game players don't fall off trees, especially as young as Hall. It's been status quo for so long it's about time a bold move was made. You have to believe in the young D prospects, obviously Shero and Hynes do. I also think having a goalie of Schneider's ability will help lessen the blow of losing a steady d-man like Larsson.

Bravo Jersey fans, that deal still makes me laugh.
Great trade for you.

Didn't read through all of these, but did see a couple posts that bashed Shero's past moves. I think the lesson here is to never trade player for player with Ray.
Ryan Whitney for Chris Kunitz
Alex Goligoski for James Neal and Matt Niskanin
Colby Armstrong, Angelo Esposito and a 1st for Hossa and Dupuis
Staal for Sutter, Doumalin (top 4 D) and Pouliot (could still really develop)

Ray knows how to fleece other GM's and knows who to target.
- cranktheradio

Good to hear

Definitely agree with you but looking at our organizational depth something had to be done. Sucks it was Larsson but potential 25-30 goal scorers, point per game players don't fall off trees, especially as young as Hall. It's been status quo for so long it's about time a bold move was made. You have to believe in the young D prospects, obviously Shero and Hynes do. I also think having a goalie of Schneider's ability will help lessen the blow of losing a steady d-man like Larsson.
- njdevils950003

Agreed especially with this upcoming season where players like Santini will go through growing pains

Hall-Henrique-Palmieri
Camm-Zacha-Stempniak*
Elias*/Boucher-Zajac-Bennett/DSP*
Blandisi - Kalinin/JJ - DSP*/Kennedy*

Greene-Severson
Moore-Santini/Hrabarenka
Schlemko*/Helgeson-Hrabarenka/Santini

Notes:
- * are yet to be signed but are likely to be.
- I think Elias-Zajac-Bennett might make a great 3rd line.
- One of Boucher, Blandisi will probably have to learn to play RW with the depth now at left if people stay healthy.
- a Helgeson-Hrabarenka 3rd pairing would be a wall.
- Part timers: Between Cammalleri, Elias (if he's brought back I could see some games of rest) and Bennett all being regularly out for stretches we will have room in the lineup intermittently opening up for call ups so players like Blandisi, Q and ? can get some more exposure. It's not too bad to have that LW logjam when two are likely to be part timers.

Hall-Henrique-Palmieri
Camm-Zacha-Stempniak*
Elias*/Boucher-Zajac-Bennett/DSP*
Blandisi - Kalinin/JJ - DSP*/Kennedy*

Greene-Severson
Moore-Santini/Hrabarenka
Schlemko*/Helgeson-Hrabarenka/Santini

Notes:
- * are yet to be signed but are likely to be.
- I think Elias-Zajac-Bennett might make a great 3rd line.
- One of Boucher, Blandisi will probably have to learn to play RW with the depth now at left if people stay healthy.
- a Helgeson-Hrabarenka 3rd pairing would be a wall.
- Part timers: Between Cammalleri, Elias (if he's brought back I could see some games of rest) and Bennett all being regularly out for stretches we will have room in the lineup intermittently opening up for call ups so players like Blandisi, Q and ? can get some more exposure. It's not too bad to have that LW logjam when two are likely to be part timers.
- TRDevil

I really like Helgeson and Hrabarenka, but I do t think you cap an put two massive trees on the same D pairing in today's NHL. Probably better off with Vojtec Mozik or the new Frenchie... Knowing Hynes, I think we'll see more Warsofsky then we'd like...

Hall-Henrique-Palmieri
Camm-Zacha-Stempniak*
Elias*/Boucher-Zajac-Bennett/DSP*
Blandisi - Kalinin/JJ - DSP*/Kennedy*

Greene-Severson
Moore-Santini/Hrabarenka
Schlemko*/Helgeson-Hrabarenka/Santini

Notes:
- * are yet to be signed but are likely to be.
- I think Elias-Zajac-Bennett might make a great 3rd line.
- One of Boucher, Blandisi will probably have to learn to play RW with the depth now at left if people stay healthy.
- a Helgeson-Hrabarenka 3rd pairing would be a wall.
- Part timers: Between Cammalleri, Elias (if he's brought back I could see some games of rest) and Bennett all being regularly out for stretches we will have room in the lineup intermittently opening up for call ups so players like Blandisi, Q and ? can get some more exposure. It's not too bad to have that LW logjam when two are likely to be part timers.
- TRDevil

- I don't think they are bringing Hrabarenka back, he was barely cracking the AHL lineup last year so I'd swap his name with Merrill

- I'd start Zacha as our 3rd line Center, and have the combos of Henrique-Hall/Zajac-Palmieri and Zacha-Elias if he's resigned and work with those as the bases

- If we are going to sign a D I'm hoping for either Schenn or Polak as they are big bodied, right-handed D that we are now missing without Larsson. As long as the term isn't crazy I think those 2 are good options

- I don't think they are bringing Hrabarenka back, he was barely cracking the AHL lineup last year so I'd swap his name with Merrill

- I'd start Zacha as our 3rd line Center, and have the combos of Henrique-Hall/Zajac-Palmieri and Zacha-Elias if he's resigned and work with those as the bases

- If we are going to sign a D I'm hoping for either Schenn or Polak as they are big bodied, right-handed D that we are now missing without Larsson. As long as the term isn't crazy I think those 2 are good options
- Senor_Elias

That is too bad about Hrabarenka, I thought he was one of the last cuts last year from camp. I guess his size is intriguing so I have him higher on the chart than I should. I was just kind of hoping he was moving along well with out checking to see his performance. I know Zacha and Helgeson were right there at the cut off but I thought he was also. Camp will be fun to see. Who knows maybe someone like Jacobs will come out of nowhere and force his way on the team.

The grass is sure a hell of a lot greener in NJ today.

Me heading into work this morning:

I was frustrated reading all the bashing of Shero for not qualifying guys and how he hasn't done anything so I decided to chime in. I can't wait for camp now too! This off season just got so much more interesting.
- njdevils950003

Still surprised about the non-qualifiers. Shero has a little over 24 hours before teams can offer DSP, Merrill and Bennett contracts. If he really wants them back, he's gotta get something done today.

Still surprised about the non-qualifiers. Shero has a little over 24 hours before teams can offer DSP, Merrill and Bennett contracts. If he really wants them back, he's gotta get something done today.
- Mr.Bobby

Absolutely. This deal with Hall though I am sure took precedence over everything the last few days, but If we get close to the end of the day and there is no news it will make me a little nervous. Not that any of those guys are detrimental but why let assets walk away over a 5% pay increase. That just wouldn't make any sense. I am confident Ray will get it done.

Still surprised about the non-qualifiers. Shero has a little over 24 hours before teams can offer DSP, Merrill and Bennett contracts. If he really wants them back, he's gotta get something done today.
- Mr.Bobby

Correct me If I'm wrong, but isn't it possible ray can still give those 3 a QO by midnight tonight if he can't get a deal done with them?

Correct me If I'm wrong, but isn't it possible ray can still give those 3 a QO by midnight tonight if he can't get a deal done with them?
- rawwdogg88

No the window to qualify has passed. He can sign them to a new contract or they turn UFA tomorrow at noon.

No the window to qualify has passed. He can sign them to a new contract or they turn UFA tomorrow at noon.
- Mr.Bobby

Damn this is risky business. I thought he could qualify them still. I could care less if Merril goes unsigned. Would hate to see us lose out on bennet and DSP though.

Damn this is risky business. I thought he could qualify them still. I could care less if Merril goes unsigned. Would hate to see us lose out on bennet and DSP though.
- rawwdogg88

Risky business it is but I can't see him not signing two guys that cost a 3rd round pick and former first rounder. Hopefully we have another Devils' news filled day I actually wouldn't mind Merrill coming back at a cheap price. He's a decent third pairing or 7th guy who's still young.

Schenn and POLAK?? Did you watch the playoffs?? Pylon Polak is the last thing we need. I'd take Demers WAY before Polak. Shattenkirk would also be nice :-).. or Russell, even though Russell is a LHD. Schenn, Lovejoy, Schultz are also RHD, but I'm betting Pitt brings Schultz back, and Lovejoy never wowwed me.

I was thinking in the car of Hall vs Larsson. We can argue Hall is about the 5th best LW. There are many more players better than Larsson. What sucks tho is he's 23.. and really solidified his game last year, looks like a steady guy (AKA Greene) who you could put anyone with and be good to go. Maybe not this year, but definitely looks to be that kind of player. He's no Doughty, Keith, Letang, Carlson, Shattenkirk, etc.. but he's definitely a pillar for the defense. A HUGE loss for us. Everyone says it's harder to find a Hall than a Larsson, but idk. Both have extreme value for us. Hall gets the edge, but it's not a landslide and not a fleece. Larsson is a man amongst boys in Edmonton, even at just 23.

Schenn and POLAK?? Did you watch the playoffs?? Pylon Polak is the last thing we need. I'd take Demers WAY before Polak. Shattenkirk would also be nice :-).. or Russell, even though Russell is a LHD. Schenn, Lovejoy, Schultz are also RHD, but I'm betting Pitt brings Schultz back, and Lovejoy never wowwed me.

I was thinking in the car of Hall vs Larsson. We can argue Hall is a 5th-10th best LW.. somewhere in there. There are many more players better than Larsson. What sucks tho is he's 23.. and really solidified his game last year, looks like a steady guy (AKA Greene) who you could put anyone with and be good to go. Maybe not this year, but definitely looks to be that kind of player. He's no Doughty, Keith, Letang, Carlson, Shattenkirk, etc.. but he's definitely a pillar for the defense. A HUGE loss for us. Everyone says it's harder to find a Hall than a Larsson, but idk. Both have extreme value for us. Hall gets the edge, but it's not a landslide and not a fleece. Larsson is a man amongst boys in Edmonton, even at just 23.
- MartysBetter88

I get that but we need a big right handed D back there now, whether thats through another trade or signing...our biggest Defensemen is John Moore currently