When the offense stunk we traded Larsson for Hall. Now the defense stinks and we want to trade Henrique for Vatanen. Obviously Rico isn't Hall and Vats isn't Larsson, but these moves are making me wonder how much progress we are really making...

I think the best case scenario for this team is to try and get a decent defender in from a team looking to dump salary. Or we can sign Stevens to be an old school coach - player. He's probably still better then half our guys....
- Queenie_5_hole

We've added Nico, MoJo, and Boyle. We lost DSP and Cammy. We managed to avoid any long term "gotcha" contracts and we didn't lose any of our valued prospects. No one move could have made us contenders over this summer, so if you look at the body of work from the perspective of where we were to where we are, i would say it's been one hell of a good summer. (I would LOVE to see a legit top pairing defender, but only if the cost is reasonable. I would prefer 19 over 14 but would be willing to sacrifice either if the right player came back the other way.)

Just my opinion though.

We've added Nico, MoJo, and Boyle. We lost DSP and Cammy. We managed to avoid any long term "gotcha" contracts and we didn't lose any of our valued prospects. No one move could have made us contenders over this summer, so if you look at the body of work from the perspective of where we were to where we are, i would say it's been one hell of a good summer. (I would LOVE to see a legit top pairing defender, but only if the cost is reasonable. I would prefer 19 over 14 but would be willing to sacrifice either if the right player came back the other way.)

Just my opinion though.
- WayneZ

Our offense blew monkeys last year.

Nico is an 18 year old kid and not a generational player so he should be handled cautiously and not expected to step in and contribute. Mojo is a nice add and an upgrade over Camm, but still essentially a top 6 swap. Boyle is a quality 4th line center, and upgrade over Fiddler but that's about it. Zacha should be better if he doesn't concuss himself out of the league, but the rest of the offense is a questions mark. IMO we need Ray to make his Stempniak/PA Parenteau add and hopefully do more.

The defense struggled plenty and we replaced Merrill with Mueller. I wasn't a big Merrill fan (didn't hate him either) but he was a regular NHLer. Mueller is San Jose's Seth Helgeson until he proves otherwise... which I'm praying he does.

Just don't see this team as that good. I'd love for some of the kids to step up and contribute but until they do you can't count on them for much.

Our offense blew monkeys last year.

Nico is an 18 year old kid and not a generational player so he should be handled cautiously and not expected to step in and contribute. Mojo is a nice add and an upgrade over Camm, but still essentially a top 6 swap. Boyle is a quality 4th line center, and upgrade over Fiddler but that's about it. Zacha should be better if he doesn't concuss himself out of the league, but the rest of the offense is a questions mark. IMO we need Ray to make his Stempniak/PA Parenteau add and hopefully do more.

The defense struggled plenty and we replaced Merrill with Mueller. I wasn't a big Merrill fan (didn't hate him either) but he was a regular NHLer. Mueller is San Jose's Seth Helgeson until he proves otherwise... which I'm praying he does.

Just don't see this team as that good. I'd love for some of the kids to step up and contribute but until they do you can't count on them for much.
- Queenie_5_hole

I don't think this team is "good", especially if you measure "good" by being playoff bound. My point is we're taking steps towards building the right way and we didn't derail that slow process by taking any stupid short cuts at the expense of short term, albeit minimal gains. It's gonna take time. We need to temper our expectations and be happy with smart long term decisions, instead of measuring the off season success by our potential ability in 2017-2018.

Losing Cammy was disappointing to me, but seems like it was a move to give the younger guys more of a look. He was producing when healthy, but wasn't staying healthy. Still don't like it though. DSP I'm more than ok with losing
- NJDevsFan27

Thanks for the insight.

Always enjoy getting the information from the hometown fan base.

I don't think this team is "good", especially if you measure "good" by being playoff bound. My point is we're taking steps towards building the right way and we didn't derail that slow process by taking any stupid short cuts at the expense of short term, albeit minimal gains. It's gonna take time. We need to temper our expectations and be happy with smart long term decisions, instead of measuring the off season success by our potential ability in 2017-2018.
- WayneZ

That's fair, but frankly I want more. If we aren't spending money on free agents then we should be leveraging that space in deals from cap strapped teams. I realize it's easier to say then do, but still it's a tradable asset. And I'd like to take a few gambles on a couple cast offs like Yak (now gone) or Pirri. Pirri did manage to put up 22 goals in 49 games with Florida one year so I feel like the potential is there on and NHL level. Most of these guys end up being nothing but sometimes not. Noesen seems like a legit player.

Our offense blew monkeys last year.

Nico is an 18 year old kid and not a generational player so he should be handled cautiously and not expected to step in and contribute. Mojo is a nice add and an upgrade over Camm, but still essentially a top 6 swap. Boyle is a quality 4th line center, and upgrade over Fiddler but that's about it. Zacha should be better if he doesn't concuss himself out of the league, but the rest of the offense is a questions mark. IMO we need Ray to make his Stempniak/PA Parenteau add and hopefully do more.

The defense struggled plenty and we replaced Merrill with Mueller. I wasn't a big Merrill fan (didn't hate him either) but he was a regular NHLer. Mueller is San Jose's Seth Helgeson until he proves otherwise... which I'm praying he does.


- Queenie_5_hole

Just don't see this team as that good.

I'd love for some of the kids to step up and contribute but until they do you can't count on them for much.

Agreed - we're screwed again for the upcoming season and perhaps beyond

I really think that this is our last 'tank' year. This is the year we let the kids play and see what we got. Next year I think we'll start picking up FAs (Carlson? He was a Devils fan growing up) and when we make the big trades to upgrade the team (Henrique or even some younger players like one of Quenneville or Zacha if the price is right) to really push to make the playoffs again like Edm did with Larsson. Plus, this next year is deep on quality defensive prospects like Dahlin, Hughes, Merkley, McIsaac, Smith, or even Woo (6 d-men that could be in the top 10); so that will round out our system.

Point is we have to just stay the course, but I think we are nearing the end now.

DOOMED

DOOMED
- shvingter88

EFFED!

I feel like commenting on this makes me as goofy as those having an issue to begin with..

Kovalchuk didn't do what he did with your precious feelings in mind. He didn't make his decision to hurt your soft souls. He didn't do it to screw an organization, a city, a state, a fan-base.

so.. WHY .. no, I don't have to ask why. There is zero reason to have a grudge, wish ill-will, be personally upset at the guy for making a decision that is personal to literally only him and his family. Hockey is his job and passion. We pay him money to play for us. If he doesn't want that money and wants to go to Russia for whatever the reason under the sun.. what is the issue with that?

Do you really think players SHOULD be loyal to a city or fan-base? It's their lives with their own families. My personal life and family comes before my supervisor, coworkers, clients, a BILLION times over. It's no different for hockey players.

I feel like my brain melts from stupidity reading some of these posts about Kovy since he chose to go back to his own country. What a crime! How could he do that to us, to me! I'm never talking to him ever again! Hope he fails at everything he does! booo!

how stupid. he owes the fans and organization absolutely nothing. It's a job, not a marriage.

I feel like commenting on this makes me as goofy as those having an issue to begin with..

Kovalchuk didn't do what he did with your precious feelings in mind. He didn't make his decision to hurt your soft souls. He didn't do it to screw an organization, a city, a state, a fan-base.

so.. WHY .. no, I don't have to ask why. There is zero reason to have a grudge, wish ill-will, be personally upset at the guy for making a decision that is personal to literally only him and his family. Hockey is his job and passion. We pay him money to play for us. If he doesn't want that money and wants to go to Russia for whatever the reason under the sun.. what is the issue with that?

Do you really think players SHOULD be loyal to a city or fan-base? It's their lives with their own families. My personal life and family comes before my supervisor, coworkers, clients, a BILLION times over. It's no different for hockey players.

I feel like my brain melts from stupidity reading some of these posts about Kovy since he chose to go back to his own country. What a crime! How could he do that to us, to me! I'm never talking to him ever again! Hope he fails at everything he does! booo!

how stupid. he owes the fans and organization absolutely nothing. It's a job, not a marriage.
- MartysBetter88

I see this a lot as far as "it's ridiculous for Devils fans to be mad at Kovalchuk," two things:

1) Every single thing about serious sports fandom is completely irrational and defies logic. People get emotionally invested in men who they've never met playing a game. Being mad at Kovalchuk makes just as much sense as being elated when Taylor Hall scores a goal. Sports.

2) The difference between the Kovalchuk situation and other "fan-base mad at former player" situations is how he left. Take for example, Parise, another player a lot of fans were mad at for leaving the Devils to go home. In that instance IMO it makes less sense to be mad, as he was a UFA in the NHL and everyone in the organization and fan base understood that he may leave. In Kovalchuk's case, he signed a 15 year contract with the Devils, and then three years into it up and left and the team has arguably never recovered from it (and yes, I get that maybe in the long run it's a good thing, but still).

Kovalchuk was supposed to be committed to the Devils until 2025. Instead he left in 2013 and now in 2018 will have the chance to sign with any team he likes without any type of compensation coming the Devils way (and quite possibly with a division rival). Add on top of that the penalties the team incurred (2014 1st round pick moved to 30th) and I think it's perfectly valid for a fan to "hate" Kovalchuk the same way a fan feels anything about any athlete they've never actually met.

I see this a lot as far as "it's ridiculous for Devils fans to be mad at Kovalchuk," two things:

1) Every single thing about serious sports fandom is completely irrational and defies logic. People get emotionally invested in men who they've never met playing a game. Being mad at Kovalchuk makes just as much sense as being elated when Taylor Hall scores a goal. Sports.

2) The difference between the Kovalchuk situation and other "fan-base mad at former player" situations is how he left. Take for example, Parise, another player a lot of fans were mad at for leaving the Devils to go home. In that instance IMO it makes less sense to be mad, as he was a UFA in the NHL and everyone in the organization and fan base understood that he may leave. In Kovalchuk's case, he signed a 15 year contract with the Devils, and then three years into it up and left and the team has arguably never recovered from it (and yes, I get that maybe in the long run it's a good thing, but still).

Kovalchuk was supposed to be committed to the Devils until 2025. Instead he left in 2013 and now in 2018 will have the chance to sign with any team he likes without any type of compensation coming the Devils way (and quite possibly with a division rival). Add on top of that the penalties the team incurred (2014 1st round pick moved to 30th) and I think it's perfectly valid for a fan to "hate" Kovalchuk the same way a fan feels anything about any athlete they've never actually met.
- MannySilvers

Until Kovy signs in Russia, this ain't over.

I feel like commenting on this makes me as goofy as those having an issue to begin with..

Kovalchuk didn't do what he did with your precious feelings in mind. He didn't make his decision to hurt your soft souls. He didn't do it to screw an organization, a city, a state, a fan-base.

so.. WHY .. no, I don't have to ask why. There is zero reason to have a grudge, wish ill-will, be personally upset at the guy for making a decision that is personal to literally only him and his family. Hockey is his job and passion. We pay him money to play for us. If he doesn't want that money and wants to go to Russia for whatever the reason under the sun.. what is the issue with that?

Do you really think players SHOULD be loyal to a city or fan-base? It's their lives with their own families. My personal life and family comes before my supervisor, coworkers, clients, a BILLION times over. It's no different for hockey players.

I feel like my brain melts from stupidity reading some of these posts about Kovy since he chose to go back to his own country. What a crime! How could he do that to us, to me! I'm never talking to him ever again! Hope he fails at everything he does! booo!

how stupid. he owes the fans and organization absolutely nothing. It's a job, not a marriage.
- MartysBetter88

Yeah but he bailed on us. I think your "It's a job, not a marriage" is an interesting but incorrect statement. I see the contract a person agrees to as basically a 'marriage' and Kovalchuk basically 'cheated'/'divorced' us by abandoning his contract to play for Russia (one that we were being punished for mind you). On the flip side, for me, I hold no ill-will to Parise for this same exact reason. He kept to his word/contract and when it was over, he went back home. Do I wish he stayed, sure. But he kept to his commitment and I can't hate him for his choice. Kovalchuk didn't honer his contract, so I hold a grudge against him.

Frankly, the way I see it Kovalchuk should be Devils property until 2025. He signed a 15 year contract with an NHL team - if he'd rather play in a different league then sure, go for it. But the idea that he has the option of signing with a different NHL team in 2018 after signing a 15 year contract with the Devils in 2010 is what leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. Especially if he ends up signing with the Rangers.

Kovalchuk was supposed to be committed to the Devils until 2025. Instead he left in 2013 and now in 2018 will have the chance to sign with any team he likes without any type of compensation coming the Devils way (and quite possibly with a division rival). Add on top of that the penalties the team incurred (2014 1st round pick moved to 30th) and I think it's perfectly valid for a fan to "hate" Kovalchuk the same way a fan feels anything about any athlete they've never actually met.
- MannySilvers

I'm just perplexed as to why this all got so complicated. Kovy could have signed a contract with NJ and had an understanding with Ray to move him before the deadline. They could have negotiated in good faith on term and money and in regards to which teams he would accept a trade to. Once back in the NHL and under contract teams would have lined up by the trade deadline to make offers and NJ could have even used our cap space to expand the trade possibilities.

The stupidity is how everything became so orchestrated that it was ultimately harder to work out and hence didn't happen.

In the end the bottom line is he was really and RFA who wanted to be treated as an UFA. And seems to have really wanted to play for the team we are least likely to send him to.

Our forward group is looking not too bad. If nothing changes you figure there are six spots for the established guys:

Hall, Palmieri, Zajac, Henrique, Johansson, & Boyle

All those guys are legitimate NHL players. And then six spots for all the young/unestablished guys to fight over.

Hischier, Zacha, Wood, McLeod, Quenneville, Noesen, Blandisi, Lappin, Coleman, Speers...

If nothing changes I like the idea of spreading out the established guys in the lineup. Maybe something like:

Hall - Hischier - Palmieri
Zacha - Zajac - Johansson
Wood - Henrique - McLeod
Blandisi - Boyle - Noesen

Maybe it's presumptuous to put Nico on the first line, I think of it less as "he's our first line center" and more as "I think he'd play well with Hall and Palmieri." Either way I don't hate this forward group. That D on the other hand...
- MannySilvers

I want McLeod brought up as a C in NHL, guy took over 2600 FOs in OHL last 2 years was 60%

Our forward group is looking not too bad. If nothing changes you figure there are six spots for the established guys:

Hall, Palmieri, Zajac, Henrique, Johansson, & Boyle

All those guys are legitimate NHL players. And then six spots for all the young/unestablished guys to fight over.

Hischier, Zacha, Wood, McLeod, Quenneville, Noesen, Blandisi, Lappin, Coleman, Speers...

If nothing changes I like the idea of spreading out the established guys in the lineup. Maybe something like:

Hall - Hischier - Palmieri
Zacha - Zajac - Johansson
Wood - Henrique - McLeod
Blandisi - Boyle - Noesen

Maybe it's presumptuous to put Nico on the first line, I think of it less as "he's our first line center" and more as "I think he'd play well with Hall and Palmieri." Either way I don't hate this forward group. That D on the other hand...
- MannySilvers

eventually hischier will be our #1C, but i believe he will start on the 2nd or 3rd line, this was also mentioned by shero and/or hynes.

I also think that McLeod will start off on the wing but will eventually move to center

Hall-Zajac-Palmieri
Zacha-Hischier-Johansson
quinville-henrique-mcleod
wood/blandisi-boyle-blandidi/noesen

I have a feeling they wont want a young 3rd line so think they slot henrique in as the center

I think quinville might take the next step and be on the roster

Until Kovy signs in Russia, this ain't over.
- redmonsters

Lol i've been thinking the same thing. I know it's crazy, but I feel like SKA or the KHL would have announced something by now, especially given the terrible optics of the Dynamo Moscow situation. No mention of him anywhere on either the SKA or KHL twitter yet though.

People without credentials are saying the Devils are in talks to send Henrique to Colorado for Barrie. Just to humor it, why would Colorado want Henrique?

People without credentials are saying the Devils are in talks to send Henrique to Colorado for Barrie. Just to humor it, why would Colorado want Henrique?
- willschulme

To replace duchene when he is traded for peanuts....yeah that's all I got

To replace duchene when he is traded for peanuts....yeah that's all I got
- dmarsden2988

to be fair, Sakic is a moron so I wouldn't be surprised if some kind of idiot move will be made.

I think we could afford to move Henrique for an established dman. Then we can still roll a decent forward group as long as some of the rookies and sophomores show improvement. Something like this:

Hall Zajac Palmieri
Zacha Nico Johanson
Quenneville McLeod Noensan
Blandisi Boyle Wood

People without credentials are saying the Devils are in talks to send Henrique to Colorado for Barrie. Just to humor it, why would Colorado want Henrique?
- willschulme

Because they have no idea or direction

I think we could afford to move Henrique for an established dman. Then we can still roll a decent forward group as long as some of the rookies and sophomores show improvement. Something like this:

Hall Zajac Palmieri
Zacha Nico Johanson
Quenneville McLeod Noensan
Blandisi Boyle Wood
- Devilspep87

That line up looks really good to me. Thing is, what kind of dman could we get for Henrique being the main piece?

People without credentials are saying the Devils are in talks to send Henrique to Colorado for Barrie. Just to humor it, why would Colorado want Henrique?
- willschulme

Avs are going to want picks and prospects if they are in full rebuild mode. If we are talking prospects I would rather a trade revolving around one of our young goalies.