Todd Cordell: Henrique answers the bell, leads Devils to overtime win vs Wild

fist

Wasn't pretty but a win is a win!

Zach who?

Fun game to watch. Definitely a bad start in terms of puck possession and shots, but it turned out to be a really entertaining game. A lot of back and forth, quality chances for both teams.

Gotta love the response from Rico. Burying guys for taking digs at Cory, going hard to the net, and of course dishing out some great passes. Guy's a hell of a player when he's feeling it.

On Thanksgiving we all should say thanks to the hockey Gods for giving us Butcher.

I'd like to compliment the Santini goal, which contrasts my point about offense and shots against a goaltender that's not ready.

The goalie had no idea that shot was coming because he shot it on a nothing play and Bratt was causing traffic out front. Was it a fluke goal? Yes, and no. Yes, it took a silly bounce somewhere, but no, he shot it on a goaltender that wasn't ready. He didn't make eye contact with the net for a second and a half and lean on his stick... he saw the puck and whipped it while barely even turning his head. It was a really smart play.

Putting the puck on net into a waiting goaltender that has 100% vision of what you're doing is completely stupid (unless you're gassed and looking for a line change)... as predictable as a pitcher throwing a ball at a catcher. Putting the puck on net into a goaltender that expects you to cycle the puck and with traffic in front of him is to me!

On Thanksgiving we all should say thanks to the hockey Gods for giving us Butcher.
- Leniwm1

Yeah a few prospects sort of fell from the sky for this team. Reminds me of 2000 when we had four really good rookies (White, Rafalski, Gomez, and Madden).

Olofsson had a great game for us as well

Anyone thinks the defense will be upgraded with a trade before the playoffs (if the devils stay the course of success) or bring someone else, like Josh Jacobs, to improve the d-corp?

shouldn't henriques goal belong to gibbons

Anyone thinks the defense will be upgraded with a trade before the playoffs (if the devils stay the course of success) or bring someone else, like Josh Jacobs, to improve the d-corp?
- PapaSquat

I'd love to see them make a move, thing is who is selling?

Arizona- the price would be sky high for OEL and is Hjalmarsson worth getting?
Buffalo- No thanks to anything they would part with
Highly doubtful Florida would move Ekblad.
Would Vancouver move Tanev?

I'd love to see them make a move, thing is who is selling?

Arizona- the price would be sky high for OEL and is Hjalmarsson worth getting?
Buffalo- No thanks to anything they would part with
Highly doubtful Florida would move Ekblad.
Would Vancouver move Tanev?
- smellmyfinger

I say we stay put and wait for a crease clearer to become available. Butcher and Severson and Moore have the O from backend covered. I want a solid stay at home dman that crushes skulls with bare hands. Like an Oliwa on D.

shouldn't henriques goal belong to gibbons
- cu45161

Look at top down view, puck went off Henrique before getting on goal. Then Wild guy knocked it in.

I'd love to see them make a move, thing is who is selling?

Arizona- the price would be sky high for OEL and is Hjalmarsson worth getting?
Buffalo- No thanks to anything they would part with
Highly doubtful Florida would move Ekblad.
Would Vancouver move Tanev?
- smellmyfinger

Honestly I would throw a big offer for OEL. Something like Henrique, Severson Zacha and a pick. Obviously don't start there but something along those lines. OEL is top 5 D in the league imo

I say we stay put and wait for a crease clearer to become available. Butcher and Severson and Moore have the O from backend covered. I want a solid stay at home dman that crushes skulls with bare hands. Like an Oliwa on D.
- Leniwm1

It's harder to find those guys since now they also need to be good skaters as well as being strong in today's game.

Honestly I would throw a big offer for OEL. Something like Henrique, Severson Zacha and a pick. Obviously don't start there but something along those lines. OEL is top 5 D in the league imo
- Devilspep87

Completely agree that OEL is worth a ton.

Problem is, if he was really available, every team in the league will be interested. Do the Devils have enough to put together the best offer.

Have to figure the Coyotes would want back picks, a goalie prospect and a high value young player.

Would Blackwood, Zacha and a 1st be enough? I doubt it.

Completely agree that OEL is worth a ton.

Problem is, if he was really available, every team in the league will be interested. Do the Devils have enough to put together the best offer.

Have to figure the Coyotes would want back picks, a goalie prospect and a high value young player.


Would Blackwood, Zacha and a 1st be enough? I doubt it.
- smellmyfinger

He’s a free agent in two seasons devils aren’t winning a cup in the next two years Trade makes zero sense for the devils unless an extension was agreed apon prior which it can’t be until at least July 1st.... highly doubt he will want to resign with the Yotes unless they get it together in the next year could be a nice trade deadline acquisition next season if a extension can be negotiated and he will be a lot cheaper trade wise

He’s a free agent in two seasons devils aren’t winning a cup in the next two years Trade makes zero sense for the devils unless an extension was agreed apon prior which it can’t be until at least July 1st.... highly doubt he will want to resign with the Yotes unless they get it together in the next year could be a nice trade deadline acquisition next season if a extension can be negotiated and he will be a lot cheaper trade wise
- Devils314

The thing that is keeping the Devils from competing right now is a lack of top tier defensemen. OEL addresses that need and then some.

The thing that is keeping the Devils from competing right now is a lack of top tier defensemen. OEL addresses that need and then some.
- smellmyfinger

Agree 100% but you don’t trade a ton of assets away for a player that could potentially walk away in one season... Shero has been patient and calculated with every move since he’s taken over he rebuilt the forward Corps in 2 seasons I have complete faith he can build the D corps without trading away a boat load of assets remain patient and trust the process

Anyone thinks the defense will be upgraded with a trade before the playoffs (if the devils stay the course of success) or bring someone else, like Josh Jacobs, to improve the d-corp?
- PapaSquat

The next few weeks will tell a lot. If they stay in contention I would assume Shero makes some trades to get to the playoffs. If they fall out of contention they have some players to trade who are helping their trade value right now (looking at Moore, Gibbons, Stafford; hell even Hayes might bring a fifth). But more interestingly, if they fall out of contention, does Shero see if he can get some good value for players who are not "his" such as Zajac and Henrique. Anyway it goes it could be a turning point for this franchise.

The next few weeks will tell a lot. If they stay in contention I would assume Shero makes some trades to get to the playoffs. If they fall out of contention they have some players to trade who are helping their trade value right now (looking at Moore, Gibbons, Stafford; hell even Hayes might bring a fifth). But more interestingly, if they fall out of contention, does Shero see if he can get some good value for players who are not "his" such as Zajac and Henrique. Anyway it goes it could be a turning point for this franchise.
- redmonsters

Wrong... this is a development year nothing else this team is still technically rebuilding don’t expect any major trades, wouldn’t even expect a minor trade.... Expect Shero to stay patient if we fall out of contention he will see what he can get for players like Stafford and Moore build up some picks and continue to rape and pillage GMs for players in the offseason

Wrong... this is a development year nothing else this team is still technically rebuilding don’t expect any major trades, wouldn’t even expect a minor trade.... Expect Shero to stay patient if we fall out of contention he will see what he can get for players like Stafford and Moore build up some picks and continue to rape and pillage GMs for players in the offseason
- Devils314

OEL is still young, elite, and in the age group we're building around. If he's available to be had. You inquire. We got Hall for Larsson. Don't underestimate the stupidity of some gms. You never know.

Let's trade away our best defenseman?

I'd be on board with trading for OEL. But not for Severson. It'd be something like Quenneville, a defense prospect (one of Rykov, Sissons, Davies, and Walsh), and a forward on the roster (say, Henrique) and a lottery protected 1st. And they have to take back John Moore (he's only good when it's 3 on 3 anyway).

He’s a free agent in two seasons devils aren’t winning a cup in the next two years Trade makes zero sense for the devils unless an extension was agreed apon prior which it can’t be until at least July 1st.... highly doubt he will want to resign with the Yotes unless they get it together in the next year could be a nice trade deadline acquisition next season if a extension can be negotiated and he will be a lot cheaper trade wise
- Devils314

I agree. Why give up great assets for a guy that might walk away, especially when you can sign him without zero asset loss.

Devils are doing great as this team currently is, what type of reward or incentive is it for the players knowing they can get traded after all the hard work they put in.

Anyway, OEL is overrated. AZ has NOT changed at all since he started and if he was that good he'd carry a team like EK65.

Shero has done a great job getting diamonds, and there are plenty more to dig up. There is only one OEL, why get into a bidding war when you can get a guy to serve a role that you need to fill.

Chayka is smart enough to know how good the Coyotes are gonna be in the very near future. They won't trade OEL