Todd Cordell: Setting The Table For The New Jersey Devils' Off-Season

I have a feeling Santini will push for a spot early next year similar to Severson last season. Gelinas already gone but I see Merrill as the odd man out as far as the young D (Larsson, Severson, Moore, Santini, Merrill).

What do you think of Backes? He can play C/RW. I'm not sold with Henrique at C. I think he's better on LW but that causes a logjam on the wing.

I'd also consider Okposo and I know there are some lesser names that may become available.

How about D? Should we take a run at Yandle or Goligoski to get more offense out of that group?

We've got a ton of money available to spend, not counting the overage for Clowe if we choose to use that. It doesn't make sense to spend it all though, unless we could sign Stamkos.

What do you think of Backes? He can play C/RW. I'm not sold with Henrique at C. I think he's better on LW but that causes a logjam on the wing.

I'd also consider Okposo and I know there are some lesser names that may become available.

How about D? Should we take a run at Yandle or Goligoski to get more offense out of that group?

We've got a ton of money available to spend, not counting the overage for Clowe if we choose to use that. It doesn't make sense to spend it all though, unless we could sign Stamkos.
- spdevotee

Wouldn't want Backes. He'll get a lot of money and term and power forwards tend to age poorly

can Santini and Wood play for Albany?

can Santini and Wood play for Albany?
- Senor_Elias

Yes, both are eligible.

Wouldn't want Backes. He'll get a lot of money and term and power forwards tend to age poorly
- ToddCordellVAN

Completely agree.

What do you think of Backes? He can play C/RW. I'm not sold with Henrique at C. I think he's better on LW but that causes a logjam on the wing.

I'd also consider Okposo and I know there are some lesser names that may become available.

How about D? Should we take a run at Yandle or Goligoski to get more offense out of that group?

We've got a ton of money available to spend, not counting the overage for Clowe if we choose to use that. It doesn't make sense to spend it all though, unless we could sign Stamkos.
- spdevotee

I don't think it makes sense to go after either of those guys who, in my opinion, aren't that great anyways. I don't think there are many UFAs that make a ton of sense for the Devils, and I don't think Shero will spend for the sake of spending.

With their cap being what it is, I could see Shero making a trade for a player who might not be living up to his contract, especially if that team is tight against the cap. Someone like Bobby Ryan could make sense since Ottawa is not a cap team and he might be one of those "change of scenery guys." Idk, someone like that could make sense. It'd be a gamble, but it might be easier to make a trade rather than lure someone to NJ (not the most appealing places for UFAs) by offering way too many years and dollars...which is basically how we got Clowe, and Volchenkov, and Tallinder, and probably Cammy.

Goal tending is fine although Wedgewood impressed me more then KK as Cory's backup.

The D was pretty good and there is lots of talent in the pipeline. If they can upgrade Schlemko then great. If not bring him back.

They article is spot on. If Ray can't find some offensive free agents or work a trade (presumably picks) then this team will continue to struggle. Bring Back Patty for one more year if the price is reasonable...

Yes, both are eligible.
- smellmyfinger

Dano and cangi said not for the playoffs

Dano and cangi said not for the playoffs
- dmarsden2988

Sorry, thought we were talking about next season.

They're eligible. But both went back to BC to finish up the semester.

I have a feeling Santini will push for a spot early next year similar to Severson last season. Gelinas already gone but I see Merrill as the odd man out as far as the young D (Larsson, Severson, Moore, Santini, Merrill).
- MannySilvers

I expect Santini to make the roster next season.

I think the defense could use an upgrade on the left side, but I'd prefer to avoid free agency, so my vote is re-sign Schlemko and look for defenders with some offensive ability in the draft and through trades.

As far as the forward group, just talent in general. There are a lot of players on the cusp, but a few of them could go either way (Boucher, Blandisi), and others are either complete unknowns or may not be ready for the NHL next season. And by the way, the Devils may be good as a team when it comes to shot suppression, but that's more of a product of the system. They really don't have many decent defensive forwards other than Zajac and Josefson (and JJ can't score 5 on 5). So not just offense, give me talented forwards who can drive possession.

Goal tending is fine although Wedgewood impressed me more then KK as Cory's backup.

The D was pretty good and there is lots of talent in the pipeline. If they can upgrade Schlemko then great. If not bring him back.

They article is spot on. If Ray can't find some offensive free agents or work a trade (presumably picks) then this team will continue to struggle. Bring Back Patty for one more year if the price is reasonable...
- Queenie_5_hole

Agree with all your points except the last one. It's time for Patty to retire and let the young guys take over. We have to remove sentiment from the equation as logic says he's done

What do you think of Backes? He can play C/RW. I'm not sold with Henrique at C. I think he's better on LW but that causes a logjam on the wing.

I'd also consider Okposo and I know there are some lesser names that may become available.

How about D? Should we take a run at Yandle or Goligoski to get more offense out of that group?

We've got a ton of money available to spend, not counting the overage for Clowe if we choose to use that. It doesn't make sense to spend it all though, unless we could sign Stamkos.
- spdevotee

I would be all for okposo we need more depth on the RW. but I really want to see if OTT would let Hoffman go. I read somewhere that he's not thought of very highly there and he is like a 30 goal scorer. Similar to a palmieri move.

As for D we need more points coming from the back end. Yandle could help but he's a disaster in his own end. Would love to see if we could get Vatenen from ANA somehow.

i could see us being a team struggling to get to the cap floor so we could take on some dump contract like datsyuk if he does retire to Russia.

What do you think of Backes? He can play C/RW. I'm not sold with Henrique at C. I think he's better on LW but that causes a logjam on the wing.

I'd also consider Okposo and I know there are some lesser names that may become available.

How about D? Should we take a run at Yandle or Goligoski to get more offense out of that group?

We've got a ton of money available to spend, not counting the overage for Clowe if we choose to use that. It doesn't make sense to spend it all though, unless we could sign Stamkos.
- spdevotee

Backes is one of my favorite players but he's on the downward slide of his career

Backes is one of my favorite players but he's on the downward slide of his career
- shvingter88

Would you say his career is doomed?

1. Sign Okposo
2. Package kinkaid with picks on draft day for a scoring forward.
3. Don't screw up that first round pick.
4. Somehow, someway, dump merril.
5. Re-sign patty to a 1 year, 1 mill deal.

Would you say his career is doomed?
- smellmyfinger

FAs this year are going to get paid. I don't know if we want to really rumble with teams who are closer to playoff contention.

1. Sign Okposo
2. Package kinkaid with picks on draft day for a scoring forward.
3. Don't screw up that first round pick.
4. Somehow, someway, dump merril.
5. Re-sign patty to a 1 year, 1 mill deal.
- rawwdogg88

Kinkaid isnt worth much imo not going to get a real return for him

Agree with all your points except the last one. It's time for Patty to retire and let the young guys take over. We have to remove sentiment from the equation as logic says he's done
- Crushers68

Yeah. You're probably right. But I remember when he first got here and it's hard to see it end. Not just him but the last tie to the great Devils teams.

Kinkaid isnt worth much imo not going to get a real return for him
- dmarsden2988

I agree his value probably isn't too high. But who knows, maybe a dumb team with a goaltender carousel (hello Edmonton) would bite on him to make a decent tandem with Talbot.

I agree his value probably isn't too high. But who knows, maybe a dumb team with a goaltender carousel (hello Edmonton) would bite on him to make a decent tandem with Talbot.
- rawwdogg88

Well, we've seen it with Talbot, and Jones, and Bernier (to name a few). All of them had more than one year of experience so, yeah, there isn't much value there right now.