A lot of the best d in the league where taken in the second round so I take the forward every day of the week no matter what my direct need is. I personally believe that it's much safer with a forward that you will end up with the better player then defense. It's much easier for forwards to come into the NHL then it is D and for that reason I take Patrick. We can't afford to wait five years which is the most likely case for the defense man to be ready to log big minutes effectively. I'm not saying either are a sure bet but if I where to pick which one had the best shot of reaching their full potential its the forward. Draft D in the second or acquire a late first to land a d prospect you like. Address the immediate need of defense through trades or free agency even if they are one or two year fixes, it still buys time for all the guys we already have to develop and not be rushed or forced to play in over their head every night.
- blizzzard

Totally agree. This team needs forwards and they need to put up some goals. They have goaltending. They might be able to patch the D with a free agent or trade. But they need multiple quality forwards.

Totally agree. This team needs forwards and they need to put up some goals. They have goaltending. They might be able to patch the D with a free agent or trade. But they need multiple quality forwards.
- Queenie_5_hole

I'd make an argument that the back end is a bit of a mess right now. Yeah, Severson is decent but beyond him there's been a lot of inconsistency. Greene really dropped his level of play this year but Santini has been a nice surprise albeit nothing amazing. Beyond that? There's a lot of mediocre-at-best guys, and some whom are god awful. How many games have we seen the Devils get pinned in their zone for extended periods of time. That really needs to be addressed, too.

Things are also a little more complicated this year with the expansion I know Vegas goes into the lottery with the same odds as the team that finished 3rd to last not sure where they pick if they dont win it, 3rd? Does that bump the team that would have picked 3rd to 4th? Also who do you guys think we should pick if we have the #1 Patrick or Liljegren? Patrik is the favorite in most mocks but if your team needs D then Liljegren is the best in the draft.
- Jeff_121

Essentially Vegas is the third position - they own that for every round; the team finishing third gets the fourth pick - although they have the same odds as Vegas in the lottery. So better to finish second worst.....and pick Patrick; otherwise you can trade down if you really want Liljegren.

Uggggh! The UFA list is not going to be any help. Other than Shanty, there is no one you would want to overpay for. It's either draft, trade or RFA.

Uggggh! The UFA list is not going to be any help. Other than Shanty, there is no one you would want to overpay for. It's either draft, trade or RFA.
- redmonsters

Will all be moves made based on teams being cap strapped or not wanting to lose someone to the expansion draft. So in that way this is a good year for offseason trades but not for FA.

I'd make an argument that the back end is a bit of a mess right now. Yeah, Severson is decent but beyond him there's been a lot of inconsistency. Greene really dropped his level of play this year but Santini has been a nice surprise albeit nothing amazing. Beyond that? There's a lot of mediocre-at-best guys, and some whom are god awful. How many games have we seen the Devils get pinned in their zone for extended periods of time. That really needs to be addressed, too.
- jersey1414

Has Greene dropped or have his defensive partners merely been really, really bad at first pairing? He was -23 when he was playing with Tallinder because Tallinder flat out sucked... it was probably partly Greene, like it is this year, but it's hard to pin anything on him when his defensive partner for half the year is -28.

Uggggh! The UFA list is not going to be any help. Other than Shanty, there is no one you would want to overpay for. It's either draft, trade or RFA.
- redmonsters

That's how you build a successful team anyway. You don't pay for name brand players unless we're talking Tavares. You gotta try for something like Marchessault

For the first time in my life, I personally cannot wait for this season to end. Looking at the future I think I'll be saying this same thing again at the same time next year. We're screwed-and not just this year!
- Crushers68

Yeah but it's going to get better. Just a matter of time. Look at the the Oilers, Blackhawks etc.

Has Greene dropped or have his defensive partners merely been really, really bad at first pairing? He was -23 when he was playing with Tallinder because Tallinder flat out sucked... it was probably partly Greene, like it is this year, but it's hard to pin anything on him when his defensive partner for half the year is -28.
- archromat

Greene, Severson, and Santini play acceptable defense. Merrill might be passable. We all know the problem is when you get Lovejoy, Moore or Prout on the ice. I also wonder how much this defensive system isn't working...

My opinion is we could stabilize the D fairly easily. Even with Quincey in it wasn't awful and that type of player isn't hard to get. My point was I'd draft for offense because the offense is excruciating bad and you've got a lot more player needed on O then D.

I like this Kapla signing. Good stats and isn't too small. Let's see what he can do

I like this Kapla signing. Good stats and isn't too small. Let's see what he can do
- willschulme

Agreed, sounds like he is also responsible is his own end as well