I made the assumption that Hughes will be the 2nd line center, but I just realized why do they need to put pressure on the kid now. Also, if Boqvist makes the team that's someone else who needs sheltered minutes:

Perhaps you have Boqvist-Hughes-Simmonds on a "4th line". You shelter the kids and don't put Simmonds in tough situations. He can also guide the kids.

So maybe a line-up of:

Hall-Hischier-Palmieri
Gusev-Zacha-Bratt
Wood-Zajac-Coleman
Boqvist-Hughes-Simmonds
Hayden or Rooney as the extra forward

Vatanen-Subban
Butcher-Severson
Greene-Smith
Carrick and Mueller are the 7th and 8th Defenseman

I made the assumption that Hughes will be the 2nd line center, but I just realized why do they need to put pressure on the kid now. Also, if Boqvist makes the team that's someone else who needs sheltered minutes:

Perhaps you have Boqvist-Hughes-Simmonds on a "4th line". You shelter the kids and don't put Simmonds in tough situations. He can also guide the kids.

So maybe a line-up of:

Hall-Hischier-Palmieri
Gusev-Zacha-Bratt
Wood-Zajac-Coleman
Boqvist-Hughes-Simmonds
Hayden or Rooney as the extra forward

Vatanen-Subban
Butcher-Severson
Greene-Smith
Carrick and Mueller are the 7th and 8th Defenseman
- CardiffGiant

The young kids' play will dictate what minutes they get. Hynes will give them every shot to shine and if they cant they'll drop a line.

Rangers buy shats out

Yeah but he was the 6th overall pick so we should let him go
- shvingter88

Yeah, unfortunately he was drafted for his size and strength but it turns out Barzal is better. Who would have thought.

Yeah, unfortunately he was drafted for his size and strength but it turns out Barzal is better. Who would have thought.
- Pomegrant

Crazy how strength, speed and skill can exist indepeintently of each other as separate player attributes and have different impacts on what we see from players on the ice. Who would've thought?
Such a miss compared to what we couldve had at 6th. Yeesh.

Rangers buy shats out
- dmarsden2988

Surprise, surprise... there were no tears shed here when we didn't get him. Instead, we got Butcher.

Crazy how strength, speed and skill can exist indepeintently of each other as separate player attributes and have different impacts on what we see from players on the ice. Who would've thought?
Such a miss compared to what we couldve had at 6th. Yeesh.
- MartysBetter88

Wow you just made a complete 180

Crazy how strength, speed and skill can exist indepeintently of each other as separate player attributes and have different impacts on what we see from players on the ice. Who would've thought?
Such a miss compared to what we couldve had at 6th. Yeesh.
- MartysBetter88

Honestly, me. I saw this coming. At no level did Zacha dominate. His draft year, he had 34 points in the OHL, while over 10 skaters in the league cracked 100. Over the past 15 years, He is the first top 10 forward drafted out of the OHL that was was under 1ppg. They simply hoped that he could develop offense, and that has yet to be seen.

Honestly, me. I saw this coming. At no level did Zacha dominate. His draft year, he had 34 points in the OHL, while over 10 skaters in the league cracked 100. Over the past 15 years, He is the first top 10 forward drafted out of the OHL that was was under 1ppg. They simply hoped that he could develop offense, and that has yet to be seen.
- bikeguy99

Such a bummer. Like what prompted this pick?? He couldve gone several picks later without it even being hindsight.

Wow you just made a complete 180
- shvingter88

Or you've simply been misunderstanding what ive continued to view as a common sense obvious reality of a hockey player/athlete in any physical sport..

Such a bummer. Like what prompted this pick?? He couldve gone several picks later without it even being hindsight.
- MartysBetter88

Conte?

Such a bummer. Like what prompted this pick?? He couldve gone several picks later without it even being hindsight.
- MartysBetter88

All I can do is be thankful for our past 3 1st rounders! Because there were a long list of flops before that.

Conte?
- Queenie_5_hole

Tremendously terrible. It'll be interesting how we draft when not picking 1st overall. We did draft McLeod, but it wasnt like way off the grid compared to the guys after him.

Wow you just made a complete 180
- shvingter88

yeah, crazy how hieght/60 is the only thing that matters.

yeah, crazy how hieght/60 is the only thing that matters.
- Pomegrant

Either trolling or delusional. I never ever said or alluded to that. You 2 have remained locked on to something that I never said or implied and doesn't exist, so I'm just letting it be. Enjoy yourself. I want whatever it is you're having lol. I'm done lol.

Tremendously terrible. It'll be interesting how we draft when not picking 1st overall. We did draft McLeod, but it wasnt like way off the grid compared to the guys after him.
- MartysBetter88

I feel a bit bad. Conte was a really nice guy and in interviews (including his exit press release) he seemed to deeply care for the Devils and cherished what he had helped accomplish earlier in his career. But no denying our drafting was horrific.

Fan expectations are completely unreasonable with respect to the draft but still the Devils were awful for a long stretch.

What number do you think Shattenkirk will wear in NJ?

I feel a bit bad. Conte was a really nice guy and in interviews (including his exit press release) he seemed to deeply care for the Devils and cherished what he had helped accomplish earlier in his career. But no denying our drafting was horrific.

Fan expectations are completely unreasonable with respect to the draft but still the Devils were awful for a long stretch.

What number do you think Shattenkirk will wear in NJ?
- Queenie_5_hole

Dont players usually sign for less after a buyout or did I make that up? If we can get him for 2 mil, would you do it?

I totally agree with that assuming Gusev makes the top 6. Boqvist is a much better skater & could fit right in with Hughes & either Palmieri or Bratt. Last yr and this yr before Gusev & Simmonds it looked like his spot to take. Don't count this kid out. At $5 per yr Simmonds is being paid top 6 $. He's fighting for his career at only 31yrs old & this is the first summer in yrs he's had to train instead of rehab & recover. U know he wants that top 6 spot in a major way & will do everything in his power to keep it. Zacha may be given the opportunity to switch to wing. He's got a great shot, speed, D, & can win board battles. He looked fantastic to end the season. He's not going to want to be taken out of the top 6 and he certainly doesn't want to go all the way down to #4C. It's by far not a guarantee that Gusev makes the top 6. He should get in a couple weeks early to get used to NHL ice. He's gonna have to take that job because it's not being given to him. This is going to be an awesome training camp to watch. There's gonna be some big battles & could turn out a lot different than what we think now. Really really excited to see how the opening night roster looks.

I totally agree with that assuming Gusev makes the top 6. Boqvist is a much better skater & could fit right in with Hughes & either Palmieri or Bratt. Last yr and this yr before Gusev & Simmonds it looked like his spot to take. Don't count this kid out. At $5 per yr Simmonds is being paid top 6 $. He's fighting for his career at only 31yrs old & this is the first summer in yrs he's had to train instead of rehab & recover. U know he wants that top 6 spot in a major way & will do everything in his power to keep it. Zacha may be given the opportunity to switch to wing. He's got a great shot, speed, D, & can win board battles. He looked fantastic to end the season. He's not going to want to be taken out of the top 6 and he certainly doesn't want to go all the way down to #4C. It's by far not a guarantee that Gusev makes the top 6. He should get in a couple weeks early to get used to NHL ice. He's gonna have to take that job because it's not being given to him. This is going to be an awesome training camp to watch. There's gonna be some big battles & could turn out a lot different than what we think now. Really really excited to see how the opening night roster looks.
- Gio's Devil's

Have you seen Gusev play? Its like we are having two Halls. He is that damn good and Im still kind of in shock. It'll be so weird having a second line that will be just as good as first and not relying on Hall every game.

I totally agree with that assuming Gusev makes the top 6. Boqvist is a much better skater & could fit right in with Hughes & either Palmieri or Bratt. Last yr and this yr before Gusev & Simmonds it looked like his spot to take. Don't count this kid out. At $5 per yr Simmonds is being paid top 6 $. He's fighting for his career at only 31yrs old & this is the first summer in yrs he's had to train instead of rehab & recover. U know he wants that top 6 spot in a major way & will do everything in his power to keep it. Zacha may be given the opportunity to switch to wing. He's got a great shot, speed, D, & can win board battles. He looked fantastic to end the season. He's not going to want to be taken out of the top 6 and he certainly doesn't want to go all the way down to #4C. It's by far not a guarantee that Gusev makes the top 6. He should get in a couple weeks early to get used to NHL ice. He's gonna have to take that job because it's not being given to him. This is going to be an awesome training camp to watch. There's gonna be some big battles & could turn out a lot different than what we think now. Really really excited to see how the opening night roster looks.
- Gio's Devil's

I just do not see how Zacha could play wing. I prefer Hall/Bratt/Gusev/Coleman/Boq to Zacha. I think it is more likely we try and swing Mcleod over to the rw where he fills a need, keeping Zacha at 4C/pk

Dont players usually sign for less after a buyout or did I make that up? If we can get him for 2 mil, would you do it?
- Leniwm1

I'd gamble on Shatty for 1 year $2M or sign Gardiner and try to flip them at the deadline for assets but nothing long term.

Todd Cordell: On Nikita Gusev and an optimal top-6
- Todd.Cordell

Scouting report on Joey Anderson? I am starting to fear his ceiling has lowered significantly? Also, what are your projections for Simmonds? Last year wasn't stellar, and he had some great linemates to play with.

I'd gamble on Shatty for 1 year $2M or sign Gardiner and try to flip them at the deadline for assets but nothing long term.
- Queenie_5_hole

Gardiner!!!!! We need a LD far more than a RD. 1 year @6.75M, or two at 6M AAV. Tho, if we had not acquired Subban, I would have been interested in Shatts.

Dont players usually sign for less after a buyout or did I make that up? If we can get him for 2 mil, would you do it?
- Leniwm1

No. We don’t need another right shot defenseman, especially an ex Rag who underperformed.

Have you seen Gusev play? Its like we are having two Halls. He is that damn good and Im still kind of in shock. It'll be so weird having a second line that will be just as good as first and not relying on Hall every game.
- Leniwm1

Have you seen the Nolan Patrick highlight videos? He looks unstoppable!

I mean I agree with you that Gusev (and Hughes for that matter) look like legit second line talent but everyone needs to prove where they should play. Quality veterans usually get the benefit of the doubt but these guys won't. They'll get great opportunities but have to earn it.