Jury is still out as to whether Hynes is a good coach. He had so little to work with last season that I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt for now, but I want to see an improvement in possession numbers from last season.
- CaptCrankypants

I think he got a ton out of our group last year. Obviously we don't know just how good he is, but he's good enough for me. He actually got those players playing and made last year more exciting to watch than under DeBoer.

I'd be surprised if he didn't. He put up 50 last year in a terrible offense.
- Mr.Bobby

I don't think he'll hit last year's totals again. I'd expect more in the 30-40 point range.

I think he got a ton out of our group last year. Obviously we don't know just how good he is, but he's good enough for me. He actually got those players playing and made last year more exciting to watch than under DeBoer.
- MartysBetter88

That's definitely an opinion. The team was pretty putrid last year in a lot of ways. Schneider bailed them out a lot. They were a faster team, but still low event and under Hynes they were the 2nd worst possession team in the league.

Hynes > pete.

Hynes > pete.
- K-dizzle

Deboer is a good coach.

Deboer is a good coach.
- CaptCrankypants

They both are good coaches. For what NJ is doing Hynes is the better coach. Pete seems work better with teams That are contenders.

They both are good coaches. For what NJ is doing Hynes is the better coach. Pete seems work better with teams That are contenders.
- K-dizzle

Maybe, but I'm just not ready to say whether Hynes is good coach or not until I see what he does with a better roster.

Playing with Skinner and Rask he should be able to put up some good numbers for such a cheap contract.

Jeff Skinner - Victor Rask - Lee Stempniak
Sebastian Aho - Elias Lindholm - Teuvo Teravainen
Phil Di Giuseppe - Jordan Staal - Andrej Nestrasil
Bryan Bickell - Joakim Nordstrom - Viktor Stalberg
- PepinoPamplemousse

Oof is J. Staal really a 3rd liner now? That contract was insane. Not to mention the assets JR gave up to trade for him..

70 hot dogs in 10 minutes for Joey Chestnut

Happy 4th, guys!

Oof is J. Staal really a 3rd liner now? That contract was insane. Not to mention the assets JR gave up to trade for him..
- TheJerseyDevil1

5 years at 5.75 million left for Zajac, 5 years at 6 million left for Staal. Pick your poison.

5 years at 5.75 million left for Zajac, 5 years at 6 million left for Staal. Pick your poison.
- Mr.Bobby

Geez

Geez
- willschulme

It sounds bad, but that is becoming more and more the going rate for mediocre 2nd line/good 3rd line centers.

Staal had 48 points last year and is a good defensive forward. Thankfully for them (and us) they are nowhere near cap ceiling.

5 years at 5.75 million left for Zajac, 5 years at 6 million left for Staal. Pick your poison.
- Mr.Bobby

7 years left on Staal. http://www.generalfanager.com/players/462

7 years left on Staal. http://www.generalfanager.com/players/462
- TheJerseyDevil1

Ouch, worse than I thought.

I think the Devils need to find someone who can play in a shut down role on the top D pair and not worry about how many points they can put up. Larsson didn't produce much but played some quality defense.

Anybody know how much cap space we have left now after the hall trade and free agent signings?

Here's a name nobody is bringing up, Reece Scarlett. Anyone think maybe he can surprise us and snag the 6th spot on d? Maybe there's a reason no one's brought him up lol. Idk, just exploring options.

5 years at 5.75 million left for Zajac, 5 years at 6 million left for Staal. Pick your poison.
- Mr.Bobby

Actaully wouldn't mind Staal. He'll be 28 in Sept, and he has a better scoring touch then Zajac.

I think the Devils need to find someone who can play in a shut down role on the top D pair and not worry about how many points they can put up. Larsson didn't produce much but played some quality defense.
- Queenie_5_hole

I'm not picking on you but I love the comment about Larsson not producing much. He never got oppertunities to produce that was never his role they wanted to ease him in. They might of rushed him the first year but he was running with it till he got injured by subban and that started the revolving door because we where constantly fighting for playoffs no matter how unrealistic they were. This is a kid who to me once give a season or two of regular pp time will blossom. I thought that was the plan from him from the get go of last season. He saw some more oppertunities and ended up having one of his best seasons and I won't be shocked if giving the zone starts and pp time that the offense will be there. The thing everyone doesn't realize is that it didn't get these things because they he was already eating 22 even strength and pk minutes they didn't want to burn him out. This season I had no doubts that the league was going to know all about Larsson and now it will be for the oilers.

Here's a name nobody is bringing up, Reece Scarlett. Anyone think maybe he can surprise us and snag the 6th spot on d? Maybe there's a reason no one's brought him up lol. Idk, just exploring options.
- rawwdogg88

I haven't followed him to much. I thought he had a pretty explosive offensive season for albany last year or a year ago but I don't know how well rounded he is but I would honestly try anything over Hegelson. I love big physical players but Hegelson is terrible imo. He is slow he was no where near mean enough when called up looked like severson in front of the net from what I watched and he is at his absolute ceiling which is a top pairing ahl defender. No amount of anything will make him better or more useful. Do I think he can get a call up and fill in a game here or there yeah but If he is expected to play 20-30 games that's no good as there are lots of players left in free agency who although aren't spectactular are still miles ahead of what Hegelson is. I think we aren't done but we will see. Hopefully some of the young guys step up I personally didn't see how santini did at the worlds but I also didn't hear anything either so I have no clue at all if hynes feels he can play or if he is sketchy about throwing him in right away. I wouldn't be against adding wiz if the only fear is he sat out a year to injury I don't think he will be that rusty or just not an nhl player anymore. I think he could bring a Bryan McCabe type presence maybe bring the big shot and a few hip checks ( I always like McCabe )

They got blackwood down as 6'4 225 that's a big 19 year old goalie lol Wonder if it's off because that seems like a lot of weight for a tender at such a young age.

Oof is J. Staal really a 3rd liner now? That contract was insane. Not to mention the assets JR gave up to trade for him..
- TheJerseyDevil1

Staal plays more minutes than your typical third liner though. I also think he (still) is a better player than Rask and Lindholm. If the 3rd line is a shutdown line he might be playing there but he is def better than the earlier mentioned guys.

I haven't followed him to much. I thought he had a pretty explosive offensive season for albany last year or a year ago but I don't know how well rounded he is but I would honestly try anything over Hegelson. I love big physical players but Hegelson is terrible imo. He is slow he was no where near mean enough when called up looked like severson in front of the net from what I watched and he is at his absolute ceiling which is a top pairing ahl defender. No amount of anything will make him better or more useful. Do I think he can get a call up and fill in a game here or there yeah but If he is expected to play 20-30 games that's no good as there are lots of players left in free agency who although aren't spectactular are still miles ahead of what Hegelson is. I think we aren't done but we will see. Hopefully some of the young guys step up I personally didn't see how santini did at the worlds but I also didn't hear anything either so I have no clue at all if hynes feels he can play or if he is sketchy about throwing him in right away. I wouldn't be against adding wiz if the only fear is he sat out a year to injury I don't think he will be that rusty or just not an nhl player anymore. I think he could bring a Bryan McCabe type presence maybe bring the big shot and a few hip checks ( I always like McCabe )
- blizzzard

I like Wiz. He was pretty damn good just 2-3 years ago on CBJ. I'm not a fan of Helgeson either, he's totally the opposite of our style of play right now. He's like a 37 yr old Salvador at the age of 25 lol. Anyways, could be till august or September before any more moves get made besides signing our RFA'S. I'd be shocked if we don't bring in a few guys on PTO'S. As for Santini, let's give him some time in the AHL. No need to rush him yet.

I like Wiz. He was pretty damn good just 2-3 years ago on CBJ. I'm not a fan of Helgeson either, he's totally the opposite of our style of play right now. He's like a 37 yr old Salvador at the age of 25 lol. Anyways, could be till august or September before any more moves get made besides signing our RFA'S. I'd be shocked if we don't bring in a few guys on PTO'S. As for Santini, let's give him some time in the AHL. No need to rush him yet.
- rawwdogg88

Got that right he is the same as Urbom. Neither are NHL defence man. It's like every year asking what sislo could do even though we see every year that he can't do anything and guys who are over 25 and lighting up the ahl are likely ahl lifers or there teams would of given them more chance or made room on their rosters for them. O'neil was the ahl mvp and he looked like he didn't belong anywhere near the NHL. How do you guys feel about moving a forward prospect to bring in another d one ?? Our d prospects are looking stale now that a few guys haven't panned the way we had hoped and the hopes aren't to high for rehill or guys who should still be 2-3 years away ike white and jacobs. I know we aren't exactly loaded with forwards but I think we could move Wood or Q and bring back a decent defence prospect that looks to be very promising.

I'm not picking on you but I love the comment about Larsson not producing much. He never got oppertunities to produce that was never his role they wanted to ease him in. They might of rushed him the first year but he was running with it till he got injured by subban and that started the revolving door because we where constantly fighting for playoffs no matter how unrealistic they were. This is a kid who to me once give a season or two of regular pp time will blossom. I thought that was the plan from him from the get go of last season. He saw some more oppertunities and ended up having one of his best seasons and I won't be shocked if giving the zone starts and pp time that the offense will be there. The thing everyone doesn't realize is that it didn't get these things because they he was already eating 22 even strength and pk minutes they didn't want to burn him out. This season I had no doubts that the league was going to know all about Larsson and now it will be for the oilers.
- blizzzard

I don't disagree with you. I just meant I'm fine with a top pairing guy who can really play D more then worrying about his offensive contributions. Even with adding Hall, etc. this team will only have a chance to win if they keep the puck out of the net. And despite what some folks say we can't hang it all on Schnieder to cover up for a weakened Defense. If Wiz is an offensive guy who doesn't play real quality D, I don't think he's the right guy for us. I'd think with how out of favor the stay at home defenseman have become we could find a good one at a reasonable price.... But I don't know who that is... Santini seems like the type of player but I'm not sure he's NHL ready and definitely not 1st pair ready.