Todd Cordell: New Jersey Devils: On Blandisi & Potential Deadline Plans

Isn't Chicago looking for a depth defender? Schlemko could fit the bill.

The devils are not deft of picks in the upcoming draft so I think Shero has some luxury in not felling like he needs to move guys out to get picks to help the rebuild. There are some decent prospects in the system so my thoughts would be that Ray only moves out a guy like Stempniak or Schlemko if he has no intention on re-signing them next year, if he gets an incredible offer above t their value (like a late 1st for Stempy) or if he can make a deal that brings in a young player on the cusp of making the NHL (think having a chance to make next year's team).

We won't take a cap dump or a rental player giving up a pick but I also wouldn't be surprised if he ships out Matteau for anything since they appear to not be sold on the kid or a depth guy for a late round pick (such as Kennedy/Tootoo/Ruutu) just to open up a roster spot. Not sure how close Tlusty is to returning by the deadline as we haven't heard anything about him but he also could get moved out if healthy to a team looking for scoring depth.

I think we might be fooling ourselves. Even if we did make the playoffs, the Caps probably would make it a short series for the Devs. Currently we are tied for the second wildcard spot. Realistically Pitts has two games in hand on us. Philly is only 4 back and also has two games in hand (these next three games may say a lot). Not being a pessimist, but I don't see us getting one of those two wild cards. I hope for the best, but then hope we win the lottery.

I think the Devs should take a look at Yakupov, he's all but gone - horrible season and what not. I just don't know if he is the next Alexander Daigle... I thought he was gonna blast onto the scene like Kovy but the criticism he got out there in his first years was messed up and unfair (only because he's Russian). If Oilers woulnd't ask for the farm I say do it.

A lot can change between now and the start of next season but if I'm Ray I want to move these guys but first I am gauging their interest to return. Schlemko if dealt to a true contender might not want to but if that contender only sees him as a rental then have a chat with him see how he would feel about helping us out by getting U.S. assets and then already have a general deal in place to resign him same goes for stempniak. I know the blues are pretty solid at centre but would they have any interest in swapping shattenkirk for Henrique ? His contract won't go up for a few years and we have the dough to resign shatts long term and immensely improve our blue line and giving us options to move some nice young dman for forwards I mean I don't care either way just thoughts to discuss. I think backes contract runs out soon so might make t easier for them to let him walk and not have to throw big bucks at him ?

A lot can change between now and the start of next season but if I'm Ray I want to move these guys but first I am gauging their interest to return. Schlemko if dealt to a true contender might not want to but if that contender only sees him as a rental then have a chat with him see how he would feel about helping us out by getting U.S. assets and then already have a general deal in place to resign him same goes for stempniak. I know the blues are pretty solid at centre but would they have any interest in swapping shattenkirk for Henrique ? His contract won't go up for a few years and we have the dough to resign shatts long term and immensely improve our blue line and giving us options to move some nice young dman for forwards I mean I don't care either way just thoughts to discuss. I think backes contract runs out soon so might make t easier for them to let him walk and not have to throw big bucks at him ?
- blizzzard

Is there something wrong with Shatts? If he is that good, why is he approaching his third team (if rumors are right)?

Is there something wrong with Shatts? If he is that good, why is he approaching his third team (if rumors are right)?
- Leniwm1

I don't think there is a real problem other then he deserves a huge raise and they can't afford to keep him pietroangelo and jbo and they have that payrako kid to.

I think the Devs should take a look at Yakupov, he's all but gone - horrible season and what not. I just don't know if he is the next Alexander Daigle... I thought he was gonna blast onto the scene like Kovy but the criticism he got out there in his first years was messed up and unfair (only because he's Russian). If Oilers woulnd't ask for the farm I say do it.
- Leniwm1

I doubt they would ask for much.

I would sacrifice offence for short term period to have a somewhat long term top four of Lars, shatts, Greene, severson/Merrill/ Moore

The only player I want from the oil is hall all the rest are products of mcjesus lol

I doubt they would ask for much.
- Wildschwein

Hey, if he doesn't cost much this would be a risk the Devs should take. Put him on a line with Kalinin and see if they can click. The key is not cost much.

Hey, if he doesn't cost much this would be a risk the Devs should take. Put him on a line with Kalinin and see if they can click. The key is not cost much.
- redmonsters

You could say that about a lot of players though if they don't cost much give them a second life and hope they make the most of it lol.

Hey, if he doesn't cost much this would be a risk the Devs should take. Put him on a line with Kalinin and see if they can click. The key is not cost much.
- redmonsters

2nd and a prospect I would think.
Chiapet likely disagrees though.

2nd and a prospect I would think.
Chiapet likely disagrees though.
- Wildschwein

a 3rd and the rights to Brandon Baddock and we got a deal!

I would sacrifice offence for short term period to have a somewhat long term top four of Lars, shatts, Greene, severson/Merrill/ Moore
- blizzzard

What offense?

Here's a trade deadline idea:

Don't do ****.

What offense?
- 104shutout30

Touché but he is one of our more productive players so that was what I meant by that lol it would mean a lot more he and Giants the rest of the year but those two are fan favs we all could handle that for the remaining twenty or so games couldn't we ?

I think the Devs should take a look at Yakupov, he's all but gone - horrible season and what not. I just don't know if he is the next Alexander Daigle... I thought he was gonna blast onto the scene like Kovy but the criticism he got out there in his first years was messed up and unfair (only because he's Russian). If Oilers woulnd't ask for the farm I say do it.
- Leniwm1

He never was Daigle. Although they're both first overalls... Daigle was a very high profile prospect... akin to guys like Lindros, McDavid, Lemieux, Crosby...

Yakupov is just one of those guys who was good but was first overall because the crop wasn't that strong. Last year, he probably wouldn't have been drafted until 5th or 6th overall.

Look at the 2012 draft... it's one of the worst classes there was, especially in the last 30 years. None of these guys have turned into NHL stars, though the jury's still out on the defensemen (I think Trouba is a very good player in waiting... Hampus Lindholm also panning out well for Anaheim... Rielly is okay but overrated).

Whether Devils should pick him up... I say no. He's, right now, a second line winger who's average sized and someone you can only put out on a power play. He'd probably look pretty good with Henrique, but at what cost? The Oilers would be moving a former first overall when other teams know the truth: his development was already a little spoiled.

Touché but he is one of our more productive players so that was what I meant by that lol it would mean a lot more he and Giants the rest of the year but those two are fan favs we all could handle that for the remaining twenty or so games couldn't we ?
- blizzzard

I understand what you mean it's just the Devils are about a top 5 team that needs scoring badly. I know we're all waiting for one of these defensive prospects can finally pan out, if they ever will, and solidify the top four. Gelinas and Merrill are meh, Severson has had hiccups. I hope Severson or maybe Santini can be the guy, but I don't want to trade the few assets we have on offense to get more defense. IMO I would like to sign Stempniak to an extension. Although he could get a nice pick in a trade I feel that makes it even less likely he'll re-sign and if he wants to stay NY tri state area I could see him checking out the islanders next year.

I agree unless there is a great offer out there for Schlemko. Teams over value cheap defensive help every year around the deadline.

Edit: quote didn't work, I was agreeing with the sentiment of don't do poop.

I'm spooked by Shattenkirk. Good young D-men and hard to come by. Makes me wonder what the real reason is that he might be available? If I'm Ray, I'm not biting

I'm spooked by Shattenkirk. Good young D-men and hard to come by. Makes me wonder what the real reason is that he might be available? If I'm Ray, I'm not biting
- Crushers68

I don't think they are saying please take him off our hands it's a cap thing. Some teams manage cap better then others look at the Hawks and the good players they have been forced to move because of their cap. You honestly can't believe a team can have three plus defenders of pietro, jaybo, shatts, gunnerson and a solid few kids and keep them all ? Plus they have stastny backes steen vlad and the list goes on eventually their will be cap casualties.

I should've been there. I could've been there.

I should've been there. I could've been there.
- MartysBetter88

You failed the team