Follow me on Twitter @ToddCordell
I haven’t done a question and answer post in quite some time. With nothing really happening, and a lot of unknowns in New Jersey’s present and future, I thought now would be a great time to do one.
Let’s dive right in.
Q: Is Jake Sanderson a reach at their first selection? Assuming they don’t win a lottery slot.
Yes, I think he is. I like Sanderson's game and I know a lot of people who are really high on him. For me, he's not a top-8 pick. I'm not arguing he won't be chosen that high. I'm saying I wouldn't take him that high. I just don't know if there's enough offensive upside. He is a plus-defender and he can skate. He will be a good player. There needs to be a little more, though, if you're talking about taking somebody, say, 5th or 6th overall. If he turns into the next Hampus Lindholm I'll change my stance but that is a lot to ask.
Q: Will Jack Hughes have a bounce back season next year?
I know many fans have some concerns about Hughes after a disappointing rookie year. I'm still very confident in his ceiling. Hughes is an excellent skater, he possesses high-end puck skills, and he's smart. Just because he's taking a little time – on a bad team, that is – doesn't mean he won't be able to figure it all out. The experience and knowledge gained from this season, a little bulking, and (hopefully) a better supporting cast should lead to a much more productive sophomore campaign.
Q: What do you think a contract offer to Gusev should look like? Turning 28 this summer but only one NHL season under his belt, could Devils go big on AAV (6mil?) for two years and allow him to hit market again at 30?
I think term is the key here. Gusev was ultra productive at 5v5 and is one of, if not the most, skilled players on the team. His underlying metrics were strong as well. The Devils should do everything in their power to keep him around. I think something like three years, $15-16 million would make sense for both parties.
Q: Ty Smith HAS to be on this team next year, right? The D on this roster, as they currently stand, is putrid.
The Devils won't hand him a spot but, yeah, he's a borderline lock. He was named WHL Defenseman of the Year in 2019. After failing to make the Devils this past season, he went back to Spokane and won the award again while blowing past his previous stats (counting and advanced). All signs suggest he is ready and, as you pointed out, there isn't a whole lot of competition for spots on defense right now. I'd be very surprised if he's not a full-timer in 2020-21.
Q: Do you find any reason not to stick with Blackwood for the long run and draft Askarov if available at a reasonable spot in the draft?
Legitimately the only reason to be worried about Blackwood long-term: goaltending is a shit show. He has proven time and time again over the last 1.5 years that he's ready to play in the NHL – and at a high level – even on a bad team. I was sky high on Blackwood coming out of juniors and what he has shown in New Jersey thus far only instills more confidence.
Even though Askarov seems like a good bet to be a quality starter, the development path is long and there is no need at the position. While I'm against drafting for a specific need in terms of skaters, it makes sense to factor it in when talking about goaltenders. Only one can play on a nightly basis whereas you can jam in six or seven defenders and 11 or 12 forwards. You can never really have enough talent.
I previously went more in-depth on why
I think the Devils should ignore Askarov with each 1st rounder.
Q: Would you prefer the Devils do another year of “tanking” or take our core pieces (including this years draft) and start moving forward?
I think it is time to start moving forward. I'm not saying the Devils should be trading all of their futures or go on a spending spree in free agency. They have been largely irrelevant for the better part of 10 years now, though. They've tore things down enough. They've now collected ample high draft picks. It is time to start putting things together and show a pulse. Fans will stick with the team through thick and thin but at some point you have to give them a reason to believe and show you're serious about giving them a good product. Selling 'next year' gets old after a while.
Q: Would you be for or against signing Joel Edmundson in free agency?
I would be against it. There are defensive defenders who prevent shots/chances, and there are defensive defenders who welcome and absorb shots/chances. Edmundson is the latter. If the Devils are going to chase a perceived defensive defenseman in free agency, I'd much prefer somebody like Brenden Dillon.
Q: Why is ownership taking so long to decide on a GM? Is that lack of decisiveness causing the indecision for a coach?
Quite frankly, I have no idea. There are some good candidates already out there. Heck, they have one in-house with Tom Fitzgerald. Why they haven't made a decision – one way or the other – after all this time is beyond me. Fitzgerald was largely praised, from people on the inside and outside of the NHL, for his work as interim GM. Ownership has had months and months to dissect it further; and still no decision!
If they wait all this time and then hire a head coach over Fitzgerald's head, or prior to naming another GM, I think it is an absolute recipe for disaster.
Q: If Hughes and Nico were eligible for this years draft, where would they slot in on the prospect rankings? Essentially, how did their potential/hype match up against the top prospects this year?
This is a fun question. I think Jack Hughes would be the 1A behind Alex Lafreniere. As much hype as Hughes drew in years prior to his draft, Lafreniere garnered even more and some of the numbers he put up were just absurd.
Nico Hischier would probably slot in the 4-hole behind Lafreniere, Hughes, and Quinton Byfield. I'm not saying I believe Byfield will be better than Nico (although it's definitely possible). I just think his mix of power, speed, skill and the fact he was high on the radar for years – Hischier kind of came out of nowhere – would make him the higher pick.
Q: We pick 6, and it’s Holtz & Rossi. What. Do. You. Do?
I still want to watch/track more Holtz tape so I reserve the right to change my mind prior to the draft. Right now, though, I'd give the edge to Rossi. I think he is a more intelligent player. His 200-foot game, playmaking, and ability to completely dissect defenses in-zone and off the rush, would be tough to pass on.
All that said, I ceraintly wouldn't be disappointed if the Devils ended up with Holtz. He has a lot of talent and can really shoot the puck. It's possible he becomes the most prolific goal scorer in this draft class.
Q: Who should be the captain? Baejac or our sweet Swiss prince Nico?
I realize Nico isn't the most vocal player but I'm all in on him as Captain. He works his ass off every shift, his teammates love him, and he's fully committed to the organization long-term.
I really like that the team's core of young players is coming up at the same time and watching him do all the right things every day. It should rub off.
Slap the C on his jersey and continue to let him lead by example.
Recent Posts
The Devils are a bit of a mess
Peter Laviolette the front-runner for HC position
Trading season is open for the Devils
Alexis Lafreniere is back on the table for the Devils
Three positives from the Devils’ 2019-20 campaign
The Devils should *not* draft Askarov with one of their 1st round picks
Ranking the Devils’ contracts: part 2
Ranking the Devils’ contracts: part 1
Three platoon targets for the Devils
We should probably temper expectations for Nolan Foote in 2020-21
New Jersey Devils Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»