Todd Cordell: New Jersey Devils: On Keller, Free Agency & More

First!


Considering the cap room I don't think there is anything wrong with going after some of the bigger name free agents. Especially on offense where this team needs so much help. Realistically, we'd probably only be able to land one top free agent and have to look at some secondary guys.

We've been out of the playoffs a long time and attendance is dropping at the Rock. No matter how much ownership wants to talk about the 'total experience' you need to put a good product on this ice in this market. We are going to have our second year of pretty good draft positioning and that's fine.

Barring a miracle draft lottery win, Keller would be a heck of a get if he were to fall to 11. As far as free agents go, I couldn't agree more. As much as I'd like to see a guy like Okposo added to our top 6, the fact remains that New Jersey is still not a Stanley Cup caliber team. If Shero was smart, which I believe he is, he will continue to add throug the draft. Hynes is an excellent developmental coach and should be supplied with young talent to build around.

As for Albany, they have looked great! Damon Severson is a absolute catalyst on the blue line down there. It seems every time the Devils are rushing up ice, he is leading the way. He also seems to be involved in a ton of scoring chances and is racking up assists because of it. Really hope Shero doesn't give in and trade him for offense. Yes New Jersey needs offense up front but they also need offense from the blue line. Severson, once fully developed, has the potential to be that guy. The Devils D should be built around Larsson, Severson and Santini. Anybody else is replaceable.

Its true about signing free agents during this time in our franchise. They may or may not help us get better next year and moving forward, but the last thing we want is to have money tied up when we're actually contending in however many years that may be. I think it would be smart to stick to 2nd tier signings, see if Stempniak will come back for a couple million deal for 2 year and see where it gets us. I'm all for waiting another year to really make some bigger money moves. Henrique and Palmieri are clearing stepping into that next level of play for them, so hopefully we can really step up and become a contender within the next 2 years, because if not then we'll be talking about how Henrique is fast approaching 30

some UFA's in the 2017 offseason that will be younger than 30 (pending they don't get resigned)

Jamie Benn, Marchand, Shattenkirk Kulikov, Hedman, Berglund, Alzner, Brendan Smith

Without a lottery win; Keller is the main guy I really want to see the Devils get. His creativity is some thing we really need.
I'd also be thrilled if we end up with Jost assuming Keller is off the boards when we go up.

Without a lottery win; Keller is the main guy I really want to see the Devils get. His creativity is some thing we really need.
I'd also be thrilled if we end up with Jost assuming Keller is off the boards when we go up.
- IrischesGlueck

Agreed. Jost is another one who caught my eye who will almost definetly be available at 11. I'd prefer Keller, but Jost would be a nice consolation prize.

Is Severson someone who is untouchable for NJ?

I know the Hawks will be (...or should be) in the market to revamp their D and hopefully find a #4/#5.

The rumour is that Stan Bowman is in love with Severson.

Would a Teravainen+ for Severson be an option?

Don't know much about the young D, that's why I'm asking you Devils fans.

Is Severson someone who is untouchable for NJ?

I know the Hawks will be (...or should be) in the market to revamp their D and hopefully find a #4/#5.

The rumour is that Stan Bowman is in love with Severson.

Would a Teravainen+ for Severson be an option?

Don't know much about the young D, that's why I'm asking you Devils fans.
- TyCamScore

Yes yes yes yes yes

Is Severson someone who is untouchable for NJ?

I know the Hawks will be (...or should be) in the market to revamp their D and hopefully find a #4/#5.

The rumour is that Stan Bowman is in love with Severson.

Would a Teravainen+ for Severson be an option?

Don't know much about the young D, that's why I'm asking you Devils fans.
- TyCamScore

No one is untouchable but he's definitely not someone the Devils should be trying to move, as he's their only defenseman with good offensive upside. As bad as the Devils need forwards, they also need more offense from the blue line.

Severson is also in that stage where you don't know what he's going to be yet. Under Deboer he looked like a budding superstar, playing top-pairing minutes and solid play at both ends of the ice. Since then his offense has slowed down and he just hasn't looked like the same player. But maybe he rebounds and has another good season. He's got the talent, for sure, he just needs to be more aggressive.

Short version: The devils need offense from the blue line, Severson is a work in progress, but he fills that need, so no it wouldn't make sense to trade him.

Agreed. Jost is another one who caught my eye who will almost definetly be available at 11. I'd prefer Keller, but Jost would be a nice consolation prize.
- Youwont_noballs

I'm really high on those two myself. Unfortunately, I would assume GMs would too.

No one is untouchable but he's definitely not someone the Devils should be trying to move, as he's their only defenseman with good offensive upside. As bad as the Devils need forwards, they also need more offense from the blue line.

Severson is also in that stage where you don't know what he's going to be yet. Under Deboer he looked like a budding superstar, playing top-pairing minutes and solid play at both ends of the ice. Since then his offense has slowed down and he just hasn't looked like the same player. But maybe he rebounds and has another good season. He's got the talent, for sure, he just needs to be more aggressive.

Short version: The devils need offense from the blue line, Severson is a work in progress, but he fills that need, so no it wouldn't make sense to trade him.
- CaptCrankypants

Really? I think the talent he to offer is more valuable.

some UFA's in the 2017 offseason that will be younger than 30 (pending they don't get resigned)

Jamie Benn, Marchand, Shattenkirk Kulikov, Hedman, Berglund, Alzner, Brendan Smith
- Senor_Elias

Highly doubt benn, Hedman make it to FA

If available do you take Nylander or Keller?

If available do you take Nylander or Keller?
- RonPielep

That's tough. And unfortunately for us, the secret is out on Keller. It would be nice, but I don't see him or Nylander available at 11.

That's tough. And unfortunately for us, the secret is out on Keller. It would be nice, but I don't see him or Nylander available at 11.
- smellmyfinger

It's really going to depend on how much the teams drafting before you value D.

That's tough. And unfortunately for us, the secret is out on Keller. It would be nice, but I don't see him or Nylander available at 11.
- smellmyfinger

Agreed, I see him going at 7 or 8

Agreed, I see him going at 7 or 8
- IrischesGlueck

That's OK we're winning the lottery anyway.

Assuming we stay at 11. The pick is mike mcleod, don't see either nylander or keller slipping to 11.

Assuming we stay at 11. The pick is mike mcleod, don't see either nylander or keller slipping to 11.
- devfan30

I'd pick Jost.

I keep thinking if Matthews was a day older, we might've picked Mitch Marner. He's tearing the OHL up.

That's OK we're winning the lottery anyway.
- willschulme

Assuming we stay at 11. The pick is mike mcleod, don't see either nylander or keller slipping to 11.
- devfan30

I'd take Juolevi, Chych, or Serg before McLeod regardless of need. I'd also take Jost like the other guy said.

I'd pick Jost.
- willschulme

would have no problem taking Jost. Frankly looking at them Mcleod and Jost are basically the same player. Fast, playmaking centers, who god forbid, can actually win a face off. The player i want nothing to do with is dubois, I see a slow,ploding forward who will be a career AHLer or 4th liner on a bad team. Wouldn't be totally against moving down to the 15th to 18th spot, get a few extra picks and take either brown, bellows or kunin.