The odds of getting the first overall seem pretty long even if we stick with Hynes and continue to suck all season... and with Taylor Hall likely traded.

It would seem very likely we are sellers at the deadline again and that's fine (although I'd like to sign Vats). Move out Hall and other guys you might be able to get a good return on. I'm guessing Greene, Zajac, and Simmonds.
- Queenie_5_hole

Since being a Devil, Sami has played in 57games, 50games and so far missed 4 this season. He cant stay healthy. I think he should be traded too.

Since being a Devil, Sami has played in 57games, 50games and so far missed 4 this season. He cant stay healthy. I think he should be traded too.
- Leniwm1

I think the bigger concern is if you can resign him or not. If he wants to hit the market then you definitely trade him. If he wants to resign then you figure what he's worth with the injury history. BUT everyone in the NHL has an injury history pretty much. We are crazy short on quality defenders so I'm not anxious to throw away anyone.

I think the bigger concern is if you can resign him or not. If he wants to hit the market then you definitely trade him. If he wants to resign then you figure what he's worth with the injury history. BUT everyone in the NHL has an injury history pretty much. We are crazy short on quality defenders so I'm not anxious to throw away anyone.
- Queenie_5_hole

My point mentioning that is when he is injured, we will be filling his spot with some AHLer that cant play in the NHL. So why even go that route. There are plenty of defenders that manage to stay healthy. I like Vats and if he wants to stay, hopefully he wont ask more than he is making, but as one gets older, the injuries come on quicker. I feel like we need Ty to be a monster otherwise nothing will change.

Its so unfair watching these other teams with rookies that are ripping it and our kids cant play like that.

With how the season is going, is anyone in the boat of "I wouldnt mind just one more first overall?"
- Leniwm1

Obviously in a vacuum the more high picks the better...but it will be hard to be truly ecstatic about it if it happen again. Hard to not feel like we're the new Oilers at that point.

My point mentioning that is when he is injured, we will be filling his spot with some AHLer that cant play in the NHL. So why even go that route. There are plenty of defenders that manage to stay healthy. I like Vats and if he wants to stay, hopefully he wont ask more than he is making, but as one gets older, the injuries come on quicker. I feel like we need Ty to be a monster otherwise nothing will change.

Its so unfair watching these other teams with rookies that are ripping it and our kids cant play like that.
- Leniwm1

I get the concern but if you don't sign Vats you're going to have that same AHLer playing in your lineup full time. I can't recall Shero signing one real quality free agent defender; and they sure don't come along often.

Ty isn't even projected to be much of a shut down guy. It's his offense that has everyone excited. The defensive defenseman we signed this year are all a few years off. We only have a couple of prospects that are close to ready and who knows how good they'll be.

Its so unfair watching these other teams with rookies that are ripping it and our kids cant play like that.
- Leniwm1

THIS x 10000000

Hate that other teams can put together a competent style of play and sustain offensive pressure for more than 1.5 seconds.

It has to be a mix of a few things: coaching, player morale, team chemistry. I'm sure Hall not signing has an affect on the locker room.

My point mentioning that is when he is injured, we will be filling his spot with some AHLer that cant play in the NHL. So why even go that route. There are plenty of defenders that manage to stay healthy. I like Vats and if he wants to stay, hopefully he wont ask more than he is making, but as one gets older, the injuries come on quicker. I feel like we need Ty to be a monster otherwise nothing will change.

Its so unfair watching these other teams with rookies that are ripping it and our kids cant play like that.
- Leniwm1

Only team really doing that is Carolina. Most other teams have a solid core and add a couple of youngsters and they produce. Outside of Hall/Palms/Nico who produces at a level on this team that you’d expect a young linemate to flourish with. NJ has a lot of AHL guys on the team, that’s my opinion anyways. I don’t think people like to acknowledge that the expectations were pretty high for a lot of kids or unproven players. Some of it is definitely coaching/staff. But some of it is growing pains for a team that got real young real quick. Maybe I’m wrong but i never expected playoffs this year. But to be fair...didn’t expect this crap either.

Only team really doing that is Carolina. Most other teams have a solid core and add a couple of youngsters and they produce. Outside of Hall/Palms/Nico who produces at a level on this team that you’d expect a young linemate to flourish with. NJ has a lot of AHL guys on the team, that’s my opinion anyways. I don’t think people like to acknowledge that the expectations were pretty high for a lot of kids or unproven players. Some of it is definitely coaching/staff. But some of it is growing pains for a team that got real young real quick. Maybe I’m wrong but i never expected playoffs this year. But to be fair...didn’t expect this crap either.
- FLdevilsFAN

I believe you and I are in agreement, good sir.

This 100%. Babcock is an old-school coach that would drive us fans crazy. He would give too many minutes to guys like Hayden and Wood and not enough to Hughes/Nico/Bratt etc. He hasn't won a playoff series since 2013. His gold medals are great and all but those were arguably the greatest hockey teams ever assembled. I could see Babcock giving the team an initial boost but definitely don't see him as a long term solution.
- MannySilvers

I don't think he would give that much TOI to any of the grinders. Toronto is probably the softest team in this league. However, he is an overbearing coach that micromanages his staff in every practice, and treats rookies like dirt. Not a fan. A guy like Trots would have been ideal. He admits when the other team has more talent, traps, and wins lots of underdog games. I believe our solution is Alain Nasreddine. The guy is loved by players, but seems to adapt and bear-down on the guys when necessary. He gets my vote.

I think the bigger concern is if you can resign him or not. If he wants to hit the market then you definitely trade him. If he wants to resign then you figure what he's worth with the injury history. BUT everyone in the NHL has an injury history pretty much. We are crazy short on quality defenders so I'm not anxious to throw away anyone.
- Queenie_5_hole

He will be a rental. No way we extend a guy we are healthy-scratching, or playing bottom pairing. He deserves more and we could likely see a 2nd rd pick in return, with a chance of resigning him this offseason after Greene retires.

I don't think he would give that much TOI to any of the grinders. Toronto is probably the softest team in this league. However, he is an overbearing coach that micromanages his staff in every practice, and treats rookies like dirt. Not a fan. A guy like Trots would have been ideal. He admits when the other team has more talent, traps, and wins lots of underdog games. I believe our solution is Alain Nasreddine. The guy is loved by players, but seems to adapt and bear-down on the guys when necessary. He gets my vote.
- bikeguy99

You’re joking, right?

Nesreddine can’t run a defense in the NHL and you want to give him the team? The play in our end is a disaster.

You’re joking, right?

Nesreddine can’t run a defense in the NHL and you want to give him the team? The play in our end is a disaster.
- Queenie_5_hole

Nas is the solution as in when he is gone the team will improve drastically !

Who would have thought the Isles would be this good after the whole JT fiasco.

What if letting go of Hall brings similar results? Is it possible?

Who would have thought the Isles would be this good after the whole JT fiasco.

What if letting go of Hall brings similar results? Is it possible?
- Leniwm1

The Isles also got a new coach and GM that offseason. A lot changed for them and Trotz has proven to be arguably the best coach in the game right now.

Who would have thought the Isles would be this good after the whole JT fiasco.

What if letting go of Hall brings similar results? Is it possible?
- Leniwm1

Getting rid of JT isn't what made the Islanders better and getting rid of Hall isn't going to help us (other then whatever return we get). But Lou Lams deserves some credit for keeping them competitive and it pretty much all started BY BRINGING IN A LEGIT HIGH END NHL COACH....

Yeah, Trotz is a mastermind getting that roster of castoffs to actually win games. He's probably the best coach in the league.

Yeah, Trotz is a mastermind getting that roster of castoffs to actually win games. He's probably the best coach in the league.
- Pomegrant

Would you take on Daryl Sutter ?

Would you take on Daryl Sutter ?
- Leniwm1

I thought Brent was a good coach and Daryl was obviously successful with the Kings. I think it would be a big improvement for the short term. I heard Daryl lost the Kings locker room but just about every coach has a shelf life so I'm not worried about that.

In regards to Brent and Daryl Richarding us over when he left NJ to coach in Calgary, I'm not happy about it, but it wasn't such a big deal to me that I wouldn't hire him. I don't think it's that big a jump to understand that if you are from Canada you'd rather coach the Calgary Flames with my brother as GM then stay in New Jersey. I'm not saying it wasn't a bit scummy but it wasn't horrific.

I thought Brent was a good coach and Daryl was obviously successful with the Kings. I think it would be a big improvement for the short term. I heard Daryl lost the Kings locker room but just about every coach has a shelf life so I'm not worried about that.

In regards to Brent and Daryl Richarding us over when he left NJ to coach in Calgary, I'm not happy about it, but it wasn't such a big deal to me that I wouldn't hire him. I don't think it's that big a jump to understand that if you are from Canada you'd rather coach the Calgary Flames with my brother as GM then stay in New Jersey. I'm not saying it wasn't a bit scummy but it wasn't horrific.
- Queenie_5_hole

I did enjoy Brent as our coach.

There is a reason neither of them are coaching currently.

Also, good to see Boqvist draw in tonight. Hopefully Hynes will just let him play and actually find some rhythm instead of playing Hayden so he can just stand on the ice and let the opponents shoot.

I love Mueller just sliding his way out of position so the guy could just walk in and score lol

I'd fire this coach in-game......NO COMPETE LEVEL AT ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'd fire this coach in-game......NO COMPETE LEVEL AT ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- Devils03cup

https://www.espn.co.uk/fo...sex-least-effort-possible

Maybe he should tell the devils to keep their energy for the games

The pens have a bunch of injuries including Crosby and we are healthy and are being toyed with

why is Wood sprinting out of the zone on the faceoff on Pittsburgh first goal? Your suppose to stay in front of the net until your team has full control of the puck jackass..... SEND HIM DOWN!!!!!!!

Wood with multiple offensive zone penalties. Nice.