Very true! Lots of potential coming up through the system too.
- Pomegrant

Im thinking they both should be able to skate the puck out of danger and our zone. Kinda what P.K does occassionally for us but they still have their legs lol.

Can't believe we're talking about a possible top five pick after there was so much promise during the offseason.

Hey Todd if you are popping by would love to hear youre thought on Bowen Byrams start to his draft +1 year ?

Im not certain but it seems Ty Smith was having a better D+1 year at this point last year?

Is that because Byram is more of an all around defender then Ty or is it safe to say that Byram is stuggling a bit or at least not meeting expectations ? To this point that is?

I only just looked up Byrams stats this year and thought Ty was over a ppg but i could be wrong...

Can't believe we're talking about a possible top five pick after there was so much promise during the offseason.
- FAZOOL

We did kind of only expected to be competing for a wild card but it is disappointing that wont be happening.

Im thinking they both should be able to skate the puck out of danger and our zone. Kinda what P.K does occassionally for us but they still have their legs lol.
- Devilish4

I think PK is stuck in a trying to do too much mind set. I get that he wants to be the guy and carry the team to wins, but he'd be more effective just making simple plays most of the time and turning on those flashes once in a while to get going.

I think PK is stuck in a trying to do too much mind set. I get that he wants to be the guy and carry the team to wins, but he'd be more effective just making simple plays most of the time and turning on those flashes once in a while to get going.
- Pomegrant

Cant harp on him to much he is invested in the team and being here so I give him that for sure and he does have the smarts to make simple plays.

I think PK is stuck in a trying to do too much mind set. I get that he wants to be the guy and carry the team to wins, but he'd be more effective just making simple plays most of the time and turning on those flashes once in a while to get going.
- Pomegrant

You are 100% and I think this is where is "charismatic/attention grabbing" personality ruins his game.

You are 100% and I think this is where is "charismatic/attention grabbing" personality ruins his game.
- Leniwm1

Love when he pushes ppl out of the crease like a bad ass only to pat them on the back or butt afterwards incase they arent happy about it lmao

Like "dont beat me up Im just doing my job"

Very true! Lots of potential coming up through the system too.
- Pomegrant

flabbergasted at your optimism

Todd just gently told us the season is over.

I'm hoping the Devils turn out to be more of the Colorado Avalanche than the Edmonton Oilers. Colorado had that one year where they made the playoffs with MacKinnon as a rookie. The following year they got Iginla but they didn't make the playoffs. After that it snowballed and Roy bailed on the team.

It looked bleak when they Stasny left and O'Reilly and Duchene wanted out, but look at the Avalanche now. They're Cup favorites (with the possibility of a dynasty) right now. They have cap flexibility and actually have defensive depth (enough to make good trades) It looked like MacKinnon was just going to be a good player, but the guy is a legit superstar....definitely top 5 in the league.

Hopefully the Devils mirror the Avalanche. Trade the biggest trade chip in Hall (just like Duchene). Hischier picks it up like MacKinnon. Hughes becomes like Mikko Rantanen. One of the defensive prospects becomes a stud (please Ty Smith) and possibly a coach who can get the most out of the defensive corp we have. Avalanche goaltending has been OK last year and this year. We just need a defense that can hold up the goaltending.

All hope is not lost.

Am I the only one that is convinced Walsh is not going to sign with the Devils? Why would he when he can get his pick of potential suitors?

You are 100% and I think this is where is "charismatic/attention grabbing" personality ruins his game.
- Leniwm1

I don't think the way he portrays himself off the ice distracts from his game.

Marco Rossi Marco Rossi Marco Rossi

Tyler Myers $30 million Really ? is he that good

I don't think the way he portrays himself off the ice distracts from his game.
- Pomegrant

I think some people's issue with PK (myself included) is that we thought we were getting a former Norris winner and he looks nothing like that. He's on pace for 15 points.

I think some people's issue with PK (myself included) is that we thought we were getting a former Norris winner and he looks nothing like that.
- ryant601

I didn't think that. My disappointment is that I thought he looked great at camp. I know it's just camp and lesser competition, but what we've seen since looks like a guy that's old, not very agile or flexible, tries hard but just can't be effective. It's kind of startling and makes me nervous about him making us worse during the next 2 years.

but maybe it's just coaching. I watch the Preds last night with Ellis, Josi, Ekholm . .and imagining PK on that team.. he'd just make them worse. sad.

Hughes 2 months into career - 2 coaches already.

Trade with Colorado. Get Byram. Byram, Smith Walsh as the future.

I think some people's issue with PK (myself included) is that we thought we were getting a former Norris winner and he looks nothing like that. He's on pace for 15 points.
- ryant601

Well Hall doesn't look like a Hart trophy winner this year either so it's not like the burden is on one person.

Trade with Colorado. Get Byram. Byram, Smith Walsh as the future.
- devilspep

They arent giving up Byram. Lol

Well Hall doesn't look like a Hart trophy winner this year either so it's not like the burden is on one person.
- Pomegrant

That's a fair point, but PK was brought in exclusively to shore up the D corps...to finally have a lock back there. I feel like he's a subtraction at this point - crazy as that sounds. I know the whole defense is horrid, but he sticks out as much as any of them.

If the Devils end up with another #1 overall pick this year or even a top 2 pick then something needs to change. First the Oilers with 4 #1 overall picks in a 6 year span now NJ could have 3 #1 overall picks in a 4 year span. Sorry, but that is some serious BS. If a team gets a #1 pick then they should not be eligible for a top 3 pick for 3 years. I mean, considering the 2 bottom teams last season ended up with the #4 and #5 pick then a team who keeps tanking should be subject to not getting another top pick for 3 years.

If the Devils end up with another #1 overall pick this year or even a top 2 pick then something needs to change. First the Oilers with 4 #1 overall picks in a 6 year span now NJ could have 3 #1 overall picks in a 4 year span. Sorry, but that is some serious BS. If a team gets a #1 pick then they should not be eligible for a top 3 pick for 3 years. I mean, considering the 2 bottom teams last season ended up with the #4 and #5 pick then a team who keeps tanking should be subject to not getting another top pick for 3 years.
- Bojangle

The system that allowed the Oilers to win their 1sts are different than the one in which the Devils won so I don't know what you're complaining about.

Can't believe we're talking about a possible top five pick after there was so much promise during the offseason.
- FAZOOL

The thing that's really disappointing is that the style of play for almost the entire season has been so horrible to watch. The bad passing, limited zone pressure, dump and slightly chase offense etc. There were flashes of exciting playmaking in preseason. Guys like Hughes and an slightly filled out Hischier looked like we could at least expect some fun puck movement. Goose seemed like he'd be entertaining as (frank) alone. Not to mention some Wayne Simmonds grit to spice things up. But it seems like everything just went to poop.

And now that it all seems to have failed so miserably we are looking at selling off as many (or more) pieces as we brought in.

Since 2012 this franchise has been more mentally exhausting then fun and couple of years before that sucked ass also. The salad days seem like a lifetime ago.

Hughes 2 months into career - 2 coaches already.
- Leniwm1

Not his fault hynes wasnt fired in april