We've yet to reach the busy part of the off-season so, with that in mind, I figured I'd do one last Q&A blog before the action gets underway.
Let's get right to it.
@ToddCordell Thoughts on Severson's next contract?
— Seamus (@SeamusKane88) May 12, 2017
This is an interesting case. I think Damon Severson's first few years in the NHL have been successful but the coaching staff doesn't seem as high on him as they probably should be.
If the Devils want to see more before committing long-term I'd expect to see a two-year bridge contract for ~$2.75 million per season.
If Ray Shero decides he's seen enough from Severson to lock him up for the long haul, I think a six-year deal for ~$4 million per season makes sense. Personally, that's the route I'd take.
@ToddCordell Do you see the Devils trying to get shattenkirk or oshie?
— Matt O'Hanlon (@mohanlon19) May 12, 2017
I don't know that Shattenkirk will sign in New Jersey but I'd think they'd definitely talk to his reps and offer them a contract.
I'd be pretty surprised if they take a serious run at Oshie, though. He's on the wrong side of 30 and his point totals were inflated by a) shooting 10%(!!) above his career average and; b) playing with a pair of elite players in Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom. Giving big term and money to a guy his age is very risky, especially when his production is unsustainable. I'd stay away and I expect the Devils will do the same.
@ToddCordell Sounds like Eberle is available. Any thoughts? What's his value?
— Kyle (@krosakrosakrosa) May 12, 2017
The Oilers weren't happy with Eberle's play down the stretch and they may have to move him to clear out money for the monster extensions the likes of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl will be getting.
In saying that, they aren't going to give Eberle away. He scored on just 9.6% of his shots this year, a far cry from his 13.4% career average, and still managed to put up 20 goals and 51 points. He is a very good offensive player and, at 26, he still has some good years ahead of him.
The Oilers could use the money but as a team that wants to contend moving forward, I doubt they're going to move him for draft picks and prospects that are years away. I think they'd want a young player who can contribute to their team now, with perhaps a draft pick coming as a way to help compensate for the difference in quality.
I don't know if the Devils are a good fit for what the Oilers would want but it's worth making a call, especially given a) how shallow they are on right wing and; b) how bad their offense is.
@ToddCordell J. Manson, Vatanen, Dumba, etc could be exposed to vegas. Should NJ swoop in prior to exp. draft to 'help' teams. Name any 2 u would grab
— Ashley Grant (@McJags) May 12, 2017
Absolutely. I am really high on Josh Manson but I get the feeling the Ducks are as well. I think they'll be able to convince Kevin Bieksa to waive his NMC, which would allow them to protect Cam Fowler, Hampus Lindholm, and Manson.
I think the likely scenario is the Ducks move Sami Vatanen, who I really like. He had a bit of a down year offensively this season but he can move the puck, has a cannon of a shot, and is a capable penalty killer as well. He'd be a huge help on the backend.
@ToddCordell Any chance Kovalchuk signs and stays with the Devils? Team Nico/Team Patrick? Who do we lose in the expansion draft? Are we losing Kerfoot?
— Victor Tafro (@vtafro) May 12, 2017
A chance? Sure, but it's a very small one. If the Devils explore the market and can't find a return they deem good enough, I could see them giving Kovalchuk a healthy contract and having him play with them temporarily to help build up his value while they search for a suitor to help please all parties.
Nico Hischier and Nolan Patrick are both promising players but I prefer Hischier. I recently outlined why I prefer Hischier but, in short, I think he is more talented with the puck, a better skater, and he also brings defensive attributes to the table.
In expansion, I think the Devils are likely to lose a defenseman. Probably someone like Jon Merrill or John Moore (whichever one is exposed).
Lastly, I think with each day that passes Kerfoot is more likely to test free agency. The incentive was there for him to sign late in the season, get in a couple games, and burn a year of his contract (thus, getting one year closer to a new one worth more money). He passed on that, which is probably not a great sign for the Devils. I could be wrong, though.
@ToddCordell One player you would like to see Shero go after as trade target
— Warren G (@WarrenGross) May 12, 2017
Sami Vatanen. He's been one of my favorite players since he broke into the league and I think he could become available. Trading for Kyle Palmieri worked out for the Devils so why not go back to the same well?
@ToddCordell Shero said the devils have many picks and cap space*. Will he be bold enough to send a RFA an offersheet?
— Igor Tsipenyuk (@tsipsky89) May 12, 2017
GMs drive me nuts with their unwillingness to sign players to offer sheets. It's like they don't want to step on anyone's toes or get a GM mad when it is literally their job to try and improve the team any way possible.
I would love to see Shero (and other GMs) start using offers sheets. It makes the off-season so much more interesting and it's a nice tool to force rival teams to either a) lose a player or; b) pay more than they want to for a player, which limits their ability to do other things.
@ToddCordell Which Devil has the biggest break out of a season next year?
— Nick Groysman (@ngroysman) May 12, 2017
Let's go with Pavel Zacha. With another summer of training and some competent defensemen getting the puck up to him I think he'll be able to do some damage.
@ToddCordell More likely that the dominant 1C that all championship teams need will be: Zacha or selected no. 1 overall this year?
— Sunshine (@TheRealBuby) May 12, 2017
Provided the Devils take Hischier, I'll say him. He can skate, create, defend, etc, etc. I just think he's more dynamic and has more upside than any of the Devils' young players or prospects.
If it's Patrick, I don't really know. He is kind of similar to Zacha in that he's a big bodied center with a powerful shot.
@ToddCordell what're the teams you see the devils prying players from with picks and cap space
— Talon DiSanti (@NotoriousJTD1) May 12, 2017
I.E palmieri
Anaheim (Vatanen) and Dallas (Kari Lehtonen or Antti Niemi plus a prospect or draft pick for taking their contracts) stand out to me as a couple teams the Devils can target.
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