Todd Cordell: New Jersey Devils: On Qualifying Offers, Pirri & Schlemko

Something seems weird with Pirri. He was traded cheap from Florida to Anaheim (6th round pick) and he put up 5 points in 9 games there. You'd think they'd want to keep him...

Seemed unusual Duck's didn't want him, but he is young, shown an ability to score, so worth a chance on the Devs. Face-offs seem to be a problem however. Hopefully we get Schlemko signed as well.

Maybe it's the years of watching the Lou "when you have time, you use it" philosophy, but I still can't understand the advantage of not qualifying RFAs that you want to retain, even if you think they want to stay.

its the nose candy.

I'd like to see Schlemko and Stempniak back if the price and term stay reasonable. Meaning 2 years max on both. I'd guess they'll both will at least double what they made last year. But if they continue to play well they are movable assets at the deadline.

its the nose candy.
- SRam19

You offering?

Maybe it's the years of watching the Lou "when you have time, you use it" philosophy, but I still can't understand the advantage of not qualifying RFAs that you want to retain, even if you think they want to stay.
- Mr.Bobby

I think it's money. They don't want to give these guys the required raises with qualifying them. I think Devil's Ownership doesn't want to spend. For a couple of years they can talk about building the right way via the draft and getting younger to avoid expensive contracts, but I think they have a tight internal budget.

While we only have 11 guys under contract right now (so not exactly fair) we have the lowest payroll in the league. We seem to be Arizona East...

I think it's money. They don't want to give these guys the required raises with qualifying them. I think Devil's Ownership doesn't want to spend. For a couple of years they can talk about building the right way via the draft and getting younger to avoid expensive contracts, but I think they have a tight internal budget.

While we only have 11 guys under contract right now (so not exactly fair) we have the lowest payroll in the league. We seem to be Arizona East...
- Queenie_5_hole

I get the required raises. But DSP is an odd one. The qualifying offer would need to be 880k. You really think he signs for less? I've got a bad feeling Ray is going to be in for a wake up call when DSP and Merrill walk for nothing.

I think it's money. They don't want to give these guys the required raises with qualifying them. I think Devil's Ownership doesn't want to spend. For a couple of years they can talk about building the right way via the draft and getting younger to avoid expensive contracts, but I think they have a tight internal budget.

While we only have 11 guys under contract right now (so not exactly fair) we have the lowest payroll in the league. We seem to be Arizona East...
- Queenie_5_hole

I'm really not too worried about our owners not spending. regardless, these RFAs combined would barely reach the 5 million mark total. I think this is strictly a shero move. Now if they said were not willing to spend money on quality players like Winnipeg has basically said about trouba then I'd be a little more weary.

As Todd pointed out I cannot see any plausible explanation for letting proven NHL players walk away that assets were - very recently - given up for. DSP and Bennett will be signed. There is something in the works yet to be revealed.

Is there any potential expansion draft advantage to not giving these guys a QO then signing them?

https://twitter.com/NHLby...status/747841960031879168[url]

Jim Matheson
‏@NHLbyMatty
New Jersey is also looking for more scoring (RNH). Kelowna grad Damon Severson is in play on def. Oilers have likely investigated him too

I'm really not too worried about our owners not spending. regardless, these RFAs combined would barely reach the 5 million mark total. I think this is strictly a shero move. Now if they said were not willing to spend money on quality players like Winnipeg has basically said about trouba then I'd be a little more weary.
- SteveJ123

I don't think the RFAs are a good indicator of ownerships intent as these aren't big contracts... I just haven't seen them willing to spend on anything. We'll know soon as free agency starts...

You offering?
- Mr.Bobby

always homie, how else are we gunna read blogs.

Pirri has all the scoring talent in the world but he will not play D. He also has very few assists for a center man. Always thought he would become a good player for the Hawks but he was just so bad without the puck I was glad to see him go.

I get the required raises. But DSP is an odd one. The qualifying offer would need to be 880k. You really think he signs for less? I've got a bad feeling Ray is going to be in for a wake up call when DSP and Merrill walk for nothing.
- Mr.Bobby

Both will get nice deals on the UFA market. Deals that pay them and be beneficial for the the signing team.

Good luck with Pirri, his defensive play is non-existent.

Something seems weird with Pirri. He was traded cheap from Florida to Anaheim (6th round pick) and he put up 5 points in 9 games there. You'd think they'd want to keep him...
- Queenie_5_hole

Because Pirri plays good for 10 games, then AWFUL for 20, then OK for 5, then bad for 11, then.......

Both will get nice deals on the UFA market. Deals that pay them and be beneficial for the the signing team.
- tomburton99

That considering he wasn't too jacked (DSP) about coming to Jersey in the first place.

That considering he wasn't too jacked (DSP) about coming to Jersey in the first place.
- archromat

He played well though. That's why this is odd. Devils could have a taker in a trade market for him.

Because Pirri plays good for 10 games, then AWFUL for 20, then OK for 5, then bad for 11, then.......
- Panthers88

We could take a chance with inconsistent play, but everyone in NJ has to play D. Even Kovalchuck tried to play D and even took a regular turn on the PK....

That considering he wasn't too jacked (DSP) about coming to Jersey in the first place.
- archromat

I don't know that it was just NJ. I think he was disappointed to be leaving Montreal. He seemed to adjust very well and quickly once he was here and given a more prominent role than he had in Montreal. That being said if Canadiens give him a nice offer on July 1, I wouldn't be surprised to see him take it.

I don't know that it was just NJ. I think he was disappointed to be leaving Montreal. He seemed to adjust very well and quickly once he was here and given a more prominent role than he had in Montreal. That being said if Canadiens give him a nice offer on July 1, I wouldn't be surprised to see him take it.
- Mr.Bobby

but his buddy PK is about to be traded...

Pirri would have been better that Bennett

I don't think the RFAs are a good indicator of ownerships intent as these aren't big contracts... I just haven't seen them willing to spend on anything. We'll know soon as free agency starts...
- Queenie_5_hole

Willing to spend and feeling its a smart move to spend are two completely different things also. It's not like I'd be super happy with our owners if they loaded us up with Backes and Boedker for way more than their worth for example. Backes will decline sooner than later and Boedker will probably do worse than the quality production Stemp gave us last year. I could see us not spending money at least until next off season. Shero is the one who's deciding what the rebuild will be. I'm sure the wallets are open if he asks for them to be.