Shero has been going back in time via trades and fixing some of our first round blunders:

Devil's 1st round picks that netted zero long term value:

2003 Parise @ 17 (lost for no return)
2005 Bergfors @ 23 (bust)
2006 Corrente @ 30 (bust)
2008 Tedenby @ 24 (bust)
2009 Josefson @ 20 (bustish)
2012 Matteau @ 29 (Bust traded for a Buyout)

1st rounders Shero has brought us via trades/FA:

2003 Boyle @ 26 (established NHL player)
2009 Palmieri @ 26 (top 6)
2009 Johansson @ 24 (top 6)
2010 Hall @ 1 (All star)
2011 Noesen @ 21 (established NHL player)
2013 Mueller @ 18 (Not sure yet)

Now we also have some decent talent in the pipeline mainly from Shero's picks (outside of Q who I am high on but was pre Shero), with Zacha, Mcleod, Hischier and a group of potential 2nd and 3rd round prospects that could pan out to be impact players.

I can only imagine what it would look like today with more 'status quo' decisions if the old management was still at the healm.

I think Shero is doing a great job righting the ship here. We just need to figure out the D and the future is looking more and more promising.
- TRDevil

Noesen is established? Thought he only played a handful of games last season for us

Also, I'm glad we don't have to deal with the albatross of a contract that Min is stuck with. Worked out in the long run.
- Pomegrant

It's only 8 more years.

It's only 8 more years.
- smellmyfinger

jesus (frank)ing christ. Lou offered him the same deal too. I can't believe any fan would still be upset about this poop.

Noesen is established? Thought he only played a handful of games last season for us
- dmarsden2988

Hell of a lot more established than Matteau.

It's only 8 more years.
- smellmyfinger

Holy crap that's a long time. Ok so you can scratch that one off the list, but you can't say that the Devils 1st round draft record from that time frame isn't just horrendous.

jesus (frank)ing christ. Lou offered him the same deal too. I can't believe any fan would still be upset about this poop.
- Pomegrant

I'm only upset that garbage was legal but Kovy was cap circumvention.

I'm only upset that garbage was legal but Kovy was cap circumvention.
- Queenie_5_hole

Little remembered fact was that the arbitrator ruled that the contract was valid, however Bettman had final decision still and opted to fine us and (frank) us out of the pick. Which Lou at least managed to eat the 3rd and jimmy us back into getting the 30th pick.

Little remembered fact was that the arbitrator ruled that the contract was valid, however Bettman had final decision still and opted to fine us and (frank) us out of the pick. Which Lou at least managed to eat the 3rd and jimmy us back into getting the 30th pick.
- Pomegrant

What the What? On the original 17 year deal? I don't think that's accurate.

I remember POST Kovy the Bettman allowed a couple of fairly crazy deals like Parise to stand, but I think that was with some kind of deal there would be tighter limits in the future... It's been too long. Also they wouldn't invalidate other crazy deals like Savard and Pronger and a few others.

Holy crap that's a long time. Ok so you can scratch that one off the list, but you can't say that the Devils 1st round draft record from that time frame isn't just horrendous.
- TRDevil

To be fair, when those contracts were signed there was no recapture clause in the CBA so a payer simply retired at 38 and the team wasn't penalized..

We've now moved to the "Hossa is allergic to his uniform" phase of circumvention.

What the What? On the original 17 year deal? I don't think that's accurate.

I remember POST Kovy the Bettman allowed a couple of fairly crazy deals like Parise to stand, but I think that was with some kind of deal there would be tighter limits in the future... It's been too long. Also they wouldn't invalidate other crazy deals like Savard and Pronger and a few others.
- Queenie_5_hole

It's 100% accurate. Bloc was the arbitrator and stated that the contract may have violated the spirit of the CBA but not so much more than other contracts that the Devils should not be punished.

Bettman made the decision to take a 1st, 3rd and fine us.

It's 100% accurate. Bloc was the arbitrator and stated that the contract may have violated the spirit of the CBA but not so much more than other contracts that the Devils should not be punished.

Bettman made the decision to take a 1st, 3rd and fine us.
- smellmyfinger

Think he was getting Lou back for the whole Scott Stevens situation...

http://www.thehockeynews....ing-and-needless-decision

From this article:
in his ruling, arbitrator Richard Bloch determined the Devils didn’t act with any ill intentions. The NHL got the ruling it wanted and, subsequently, the CBA tweak it was after. Case closed.

Think he was getting Lou back for the whole Scott Stevens situation...
- archromat

I think he was also a bit pissed the Devils took it to arbitration, rather than accept the leagues rejection of the deal.

It's 100% accurate. Bloc was the arbitrator and stated that the contract may have violated the spirit of the CBA but not so much more than other contracts that the Devils should not be punished.

Bettman made the decision to take a 1st, 3rd and fine us.
- smellmyfinger

Yes, that's the way I remember it. Not that he ruled the contract was valid.

I realize that's splitting hairs a bit but my recollection was that he ruled it circumvented the cap.

#FUBettman

Think he was getting Lou back for the whole Scott Stevens situation...
- archromat

Seems more like Koharski court order rent-a-ref payback to me... but you're probably right.

http://www.bing.com/video...323B40079CC9F73&FORM=VIRE

I was at Game 3 but didn't realize what had happened in the tunnel. A small part of me will always love Schoney.

I still don't understand why the Devils don't bring in a Yakapov who has history playing RW which we need. Grigorenko just went back to Russia for 3 years so he's off the list now.

I think he was also a bit pissed the Devils took it to arbitration, rather than accept the leagues rejection of the deal.
- smellmyfinger

That too and probably a good chunk that Lou had a big hand in negotiating that CBA and then used a loophole to sign a poopty deal.

Slava Malamud saying to expect something on Kovy to come soon.

Slava Malamud saying to expect something on Kovy to come soon.
- NJDevsFan27

I'd lose my mind if we were able to flip Kovy to Columbus for Savard or Vatanen.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't Savard a solid #3 shutdown guy?

He's soon to be 27 years old.. 227lbs, 4.25 cap hit for the next 4 seasons! Vatanen just turned 26, 4.875 for the next 3, in comparison.

I think Vatanen is the better player, a #2/#3 2-way guy?

I haven't analyzed either player, but what's your take on them?

And as far as the Rangers go.. not even sure who I'd want from them that they'd be willing to part with.

As far as player management goes, I'm content with what we've done this offseason. Cam was struggling. Yes, 5th in points, but that's not saying a lot given how pathetic our offense was. He didn't score a goal in like 30 games or something ridiculous. I'm ok with him leaving. Bennett would've been nice to keep as a 3rd liner, but I'm ok letting other young guys play that role. The Johansson move was just amazing. That really excites me as a fan. Should we still try for Yak? meh. The Johansson trade filled my desire to bring in a younger asset to move forward with. A nice stable winger for our young centers.
Should we sign a Hudler/Jagr in hopes to trade them at the deadline?.. maybe that wouldn't be such a bad idea.

I'd lose my mind if we were able to flip Kovy to Columbus for Savard or Vatanen.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't Savard a solid #3 shutdown guy?

He's soon to be 27 years old.. 227lbs, 4.25 cap hit for the next 4 seasons! Vatanen just turned 26, 4.875 for the next 3, in comparison.

I think Vatanen is the better player, a #2/#3 2-way guy?

I haven't analyzed either player, but what's your take on them?

And as far as the Rangers go.. not even sure who I'd want from them that they'd be willing to part with.

As far as player management goes, I'm content with what we've done this offseason. Cam was struggling. Yes, 5th in points, but that's not saying a lot given how pathetic our offense was. He didn't score a goal in like 30 games or something ridiculous. I'm ok with him leaving. Bennett would've been nice to keep as a 3rd liner, but I'm ok letting other young guys play that role. The Johansson move was just amazing. That really excites me as a fan. Should we still try for Yak? meh. The Johansson trade filled my desire to bring in a younger asset to move forward with. A nice stable winger for our young centers.
Should we sign a Hudler/Jagr in hopes to trade them at the deadline?.. maybe that wouldn't be such a bad idea.
- MartysBetter88

If Kovy brings us a legit defender then it's a really good offseason. Maybe great. Only do the deal with Columbus if they'll take Prout back. Kidding. With the loss of Helgeson, Prout is probably our 7th.

Wouldn't mind one more fill in winger like Jagr as this year's Stempniak/PAP. Maybe run a hail mary gamble on Yak or Pirri.

Would also be thrilled to see some of the cap space leveraged to help a cap strapped team.

Slava Malamud saying to expect something on Kovy to come soon.
- NJDevsFan27

How soon is soon

How soon is soon
- willschulme

Not soon enough

surprised Jagr isn't signed anywhere yet. Calgary would be a nice fit, and they're a contender.

I'm not really sure where our guys are gona lineup, if Zacha, McLeod, Quenneville, even Henrique, would be better at wing or center.

Hall-Zajac-Palmieri
Henrique-Hischier-Johansson
Zacha-Quenneville-McLeod?
Wood-Boyle-Noesen/Speers/Lappin?

we're still such a ways away. Maybe Jagr wouldn't be a bad idea after all. I just see a lot of value in our kids learning from his work ethic. Again, that trade value too. ..or would it be better for our kids to get that ice time. Send McLeod to juniors or the A for another year?

Yes, that's the way I remember it. Not that he ruled the contract was valid.

I realize that's splitting hairs a bit but my recollection was that he ruled it circumvented the cap.

#FUBettman
- Queenie_5_hole

All in all, it was really really really idiotic of Lou not to forfeit the 29th pick after the SC run. Sure he got a 31st, but he gave up a top10 pick that year if im not mistaken.

Never understood the logic there.