Thats just not true. Nico is a stud, and his numbers will continue to grow. He is just 21, and was easily our top C. What was upsetting was that Zacha Henrique, and Zajac did such a poor job sheltering the kids role, that he was our 1C almost instantaneously after being drafted. I was hoping we could have better sheltered the kid, but he has done great as a Dev, and I have no regrets in drafting that kid.

As for Jack, he is 18. His skillset is there and he will continue to add weight and become the player we hope he can become. This kid could be a star. I can't think of any 18 year olds that had a stellar year. He was still better than Kakko. Nico is way better than Patrick. So why all the hate? Our ownership tries there best to acquire stars. We brough in Hall for an absolute steal, and traded him at the optimal time. Coleman was a nobody 3 year ago, and now the 29 year old fetched us 2 1st rounders!

This club isn't afraid to spend on ufa's, but would you want to be at the cap ceiling with Meyers 6M AAV, and Skinner's 9M AAV. There is a big difference between being cheap, and being smart. Our management has taken risks which largely paid off, and been responsible enough to put us in one of the strongest trading positions going into next season. Almost every team is at the cap ceiling, should it remain the same, and we are on a short list to bid on ufa's, trade with cap crippled teams, or acquire more picks in exchange for a cap hit. It's ok to look at Tampa/Pitts/Boston and say that they are better than us. Wait 2 years and the tides will change.
- bikeguy99

14 goals and 36 points is a stud???

I’m not saying he’s not a good hockey player but he’s no stud.

Also the other players didn’t do a poopty job protecting him. This poorly run organization is who threw him to the wolves. Just like with Larson, Zacha and Hughes...

And there is no hate for our players but they have to be developed and evaluated accurately not aspirationally.

Last, the actual value of cap space has been of little value the last couple of years. Teams use buyouts and other tactics to deal with the cap.
PK Subban is what you get for having cap space. Nashville took our picks and signed Duchene with the space we cleared for them. Not that Duchene did great but what would you rather have? PK or Duchene and our two second round picks? Just curious.

You obviously arent the biggest fan of Raymond, atleast compared to the other forwards in this range. So i ask, would you be more irritated if we drafted Raymond or Sanderson at 7? Lol
- vlongo4419

I think both are overrated, but I also know I'm not a pro-scout and am basing everything on watching like 10 youtube videos or mock drafts and rankings and reading a few pages.. so what do I know. I can only be so upset with either pick. I think I'd rather pick Raymond 7th.

I think both are overrated, but I also know I'm not a pro-scout and am basing everything on watching like 10 youtube videos or mock drafts and rankings and reading a few pages.. so what do I know. I can only be so upset with either pick. I think I'd rather pick Raymond 7th.
- MartysBetter88

Hmm okay yeah makes sense, i prefer Raymond too. I think Raymond just has too much skill to be a disappointing pick. People saying he will be a lighter Zacha is just wrong imo because he has way more skill than Zacha ever had. He was underwhelming during the SHL season but thats because he was playing on a deep veteran team and didnt get many minutes. He was fantastic at the world juniors though when given a top 6 role, arguably was better than Holtz in the tournament. Holtz is obviously the better pure scorer, but Raymond is a more well rounded player and i think both will translate well to the NHL game. I'll be happy with whoever we take in this range, we cant go wrong unless we go off the board which i dont see happening. And whoever we take will likely instantly become our top prospect

I think both are overrated, but I also know I'm not a pro-scout and am basing everything on watching like 10 youtube videos or mock drafts and rankings and reading a few pages.. so what do I know. I can only be so upset with either pick. I think I'd rather pick Raymond 7th.
- MartysBetter88

I have no problem with Raymond, just like Holtz better. Watch the WJC gold medal game from last year, Raymond was a beast in that game, beat Askarov 3 times, third time in OT. I just think we need the better shot and size so prefer Holtz, but have absolutely no problem with Raymond at 7 - if he lasts to there.

would either of you guys take Perfetti over Raymond/Holtz?

would either of you guys take Perfetti over Raymond/Holtz?
- MartysBetter88

To me, Holtz, Perfetti, Raymond. And would be ecstatic with any of them. Th pick (if it reamins ours) at 10/11 is where it gets interesting. If Sanderson is still around he should be in consideration. If any of those frowards fall (Rossi perhaps because of size concerns) could also be a possibility, and then there is Quinn and Jarvis at that spot. I just hope we get 7/10/17 picks.

would either of you guys take Perfetti over Raymond/Holtz?
- MartysBetter88

I would over Raymond, yeah. But not Holtz(im just a huge Holtz fanboy, i think he will be a 25-30 goal scorer by his 2nd or 3rd year in the league). I just think Detroit will take Perfetti at 4. He plays right in their backyard and i know Stevie Y has gotten a really good look at him. Plus he's already shown he's willing to take a guy he really likes even if its considered a bit of a "reach", like he did with Seider last year. Although i dont even know if that'll be a reach. I think after the top 3, anybody in the 4-10ish range can go in any order and i wouldnt be shocked

would either of you guys take Perfetti over Raymond/Holtz?
- MartysBetter88

I'd take Perfetti over anyone outside the top 3.

I'd take Perfetti over anyone outside the top 3.
- rmdevil313

wow, even Drysdale!

I would over Raymond, yeah. But not Holtz(im just a huge Holtz fanboy, i think he will be a 25-30 goal scorer by his 2nd or 3rd year in the league). I just think Detroit will take Perfetti at 4. He plays right in their backyard and i know Stevie Y has gotten a really good look at him. Plus he's already shown he's willing to take a guy he really likes even if its considered a bit of a "reach", like he did with Seider last year. Although i dont even know if that'll be a reach. I think after the top 3, anybody in the 4-10ish range can go in any order and i wouldnt be shocked
- vlongo4419

I just don't think Detroit or Anaheim will pass on Perfetti or Rossi. This puts Drysdale to Ottawa 5th.. but if they take Holtz, who knows.. we may still pick Raymond over Drysdale. Tough tough call.

I just don't think Detroit or Anaheim will pass on Perfetti or Rossi. This puts Drysdale to Ottawa 5th.. but if they take Holtz, who knows.. we may still pick Raymond over Drysdale. Tough tough call.
- MartysBetter88

Yeah idk, i mean either way we're guaranteed to have two of Drysdale, Rossi, Perfetti, Raymond, or Holtz on the board when we pick. So either way i'll be happy with whoever we take, unless we end up going Sanderson which isnt out of the question unfortunately

My prediction is Lafreniere will be a Hab.

14 goals and 36 points is a stud???

I’m not saying he’s not a good hockey player but he’s no stud.

Also the other players didn’t do a poopty job protecting him. This poorly run organization is who threw him to the wolves. Just like with Larson, Zacha and Hughes...

And there is no hate for our players but they have to be developed and evaluated accurately not aspirationally.

Last, the actual value of cap space has been of little value the last couple of years. Teams use buyouts and other tactics to deal with the cap.
PK Subban is what you get for having cap space. Nashville took our picks and signed Duchene with the space we cleared for them. Not that Duchene did great but what would you rather have? PK or Duchene and our two second round picks? Just curious.
- Queenie_5_hole

Give Hughes time. He is 18!!! As for Larsson, we knew he was a strong player with a good IQ, and he couldn't skate to save his life. Nothing has changed in that department. And if we depleted his stock value so badly, how was shero able to flip him for Hall? And Zacha, come on man! Of 15+ OHL'ers selected in the first round that year, including D, he was the only one with less than 1ppg. He was actually around 0.6ppg, and has NEVER shown strong numbers at any level. He is what he is. Looks great on the ice, can't find the back of the net. At the time, nobody seemed upset about the PK trade. It didn't work clearly, but management took a stab, and Douchene isn't doing Nashville any favours. Devils have taken many risks, and done quite well for the most part. I don't think you understand how teams rebuild in today's NHL, and the Devs are doing all the right things to regroup with a fast/young/talented team that fits the cap.

My prediction is Lafreniere will be a Hab.
- TRDevil

Wouldn't that be just a perfect situation for the NHL. But it will never happen. But wait, they just rigged the lottery so it could happen. Happy days in the NHL....

I don't understand how we don't pick Holtz over Raymond. I get how good Raymond is supposed to be, but how can you pass on a shot like that to play with Hughes?

My understanding is that Raymond is a playmaker. When the gap in talent is so small between all those players in that range, you pick based on need and we don't need that.

Upon further review..idk who to take 7th, I just want it to be a forward. Perfetti may be the worst skater out of Ray, Ros, Holtz, but super high IQ and still a good shot and passing. Holtz has the best shot. Rossi has the most playmaking ability but is a little smaller, and Raymond is a great all-arounder but a twig frame. As far as I'm understanding so far..
So.. we'll see. Holtz seems the only one that plays a set position of RW. As ive said, I think we need to move forward with a 5yr deal for Palmieri and Gusev.. but they both play RW on the top 2 lines. I know things can change.. And maybe Hughes-Holtz ends up being our top line, with Nico-Palms 2nd line, and Zacha-Gusev 3rd line. That would be awesome. But putting Perfetti or Raymond on the left of Hischier or Hughes would be nice too.. At least it gives the team a top line LW on the roster. But then again, we can always sign a Hoffman-type guy for Nico's left. I feel like Nico-Palms have a good thing and can work with anyone on the left side. The Bratt-Zacha-Gusev combo fibally found something after our Coleman-Zajac-Gusev was thrown out the window. Gosh I miss Coleman. Guy made plays with his smarts, work and speed. Foote may have a good shot, but his supposed lack of speed is a concern. Right now our LW depth is Bratt, Boqvist, Wood..and a prayer.. maybe Foote. Wood will be gone soon enough, so it really just leaves us with 2 LW moving forward not including Foote. So I guess either way theres a need at both wings. I just see Palms and Gusev being for sure top 2 compared to Boqvist that we dont really know, and Bratt.
What a trip it would be if we somehow land 2 of those 4 prospects... If the Yotes pick is 9 and Buffalo takes Sanderson at 8. If we can somehow get 2 of the 4 at picks 7 and 9 then we HAVE to. Grab a Gruhl at 17 and move along.

Sucks to see so many people down on Raymond, but on paper, I see why. He played 4th lines minutes and is wicked smart on the ice though. Any time he's on the ice with Holtz for Sweden, Raymond is the one who impresses me. With that said, Holtz looks great, and I'd prefer Rossi or Perfetti to Raymond, but I will be thrilled with Raymond. Basically, I just don't want us to take Sanderson. I think Quinn will be available to take with the AZ pick and we can get our goalscorer that way as opposed to sacrificing BPA to take Holtz over Raymond.

Sucks to see so many people down on Raymond, but on paper, I see why. He played 4th lines minutes and is wicked smart on the ice though. Any time he's on the ice with Holtz for Sweden, Raymond is the one who impresses me. With that said, Holtz looks great, and I'd prefer Rossi or Perfetti to Raymond, but I will be thrilled with Raymond. Basically, I just don't want us to take Sanderson. I think Quinn will be available to take with the AZ pick and we can get our goalscorer that way as opposed to sacrificing BPA to take Holtz over Raymond.
- NJD Fan

When we eventually get to the draft we will see how things actually play out and who’s available. A lot can happen by 7th. Defenseman start going early and someone reaches for Askarov and we will have choices we aren’t expecting.

Even if that doesn’t happen we have to trust the scouts to make the best choice.

When we eventually get to the draft we will see how things actually play out and who’s available. A lot can happen by 7th. Defenseman start going early and someone reaches for Askarov and we will have choices we aren’t expecting.

Even if that doesn’t happen we have to trust the scouts to make the best choice.
- Queenie_5_hole

I agree. At the end of the day, we're all talking preferences. If the pick is on the board, I'll be happy. No Zacha picks.

I agree. At the end of the day, we're all talking preferences. If the pick is on the board, I'll be happy. No Zacha picks.
- willschulme

And don't forget there's sometimes one team like Detroit with Seider and Rangers with Lias Anderson who reach for someone not ranked in the top 10. You never know.

I agree. At the end of the day, we're all talking preferences. If the pick is on the board, I'll be happy. No Zacha picks.
- willschulme

I can’t even pretend to know who we should take. I like the players who are very productive even if it’s in juniors. I don’t like players who don’t put up numbers but are playing in a higher league.

I also don’t want someone going to college because I don’t want the risk of them staying until free agency.

Ranger fans are laughing about us possibly taking Ruff of their hands. Seems horrible. Also remarkably stupid because there is little benefit to adding a Head Coach right now but we could really use a permanent GM (even if it’s just Fitzy; which I’m fine with).

Sucks to see so many people down on Raymond, but on paper, I see why. He played 4th lines minutes and is wicked smart on the ice though. Any time he's on the ice with Holtz for Sweden, Raymond is the one who impresses me. With that said, Holtz looks great, and I'd prefer Rossi or Perfetti to Raymond, but I will be thrilled with Raymond. Basically, I just don't want us to take Sanderson. I think Quinn will be available to take with the AZ pick and we can get our goalscorer that way as opposed to sacrificing BPA to take Holtz over Raymond.
- NJD Fan

I'd prefer Holtz and Perfetti to Raymond, but it's not necessarily because I'm down on Raymond. It's because at #7 there's probably 5-6 players you could make an argument would be the BPA. The Devils needs are shooters and guys who create offense. Raymond might be an excellent defensive forward that makes smart passes and skates well with the puck at the NHL level, we need guys who are going to put the puck in the net badly. The two who might be there at 7 that fit that bill best are Holtz and Perfetti.
Of course if Drysdale somehow starts to slip and we can move up a spot or two to grab him I wouldn't be opposed to that at all.

Give Hughes time. He is 18!!! As for Larsson, we knew he was a strong player with a good IQ, and he couldn't skate to save his life. Nothing has changed in that department. And if we depleted his stock value so badly, how was shero able to flip him for Hall? And Zacha, come on man! Of 15+ OHL'ers selected in the first round that year, including D, he was the only one with less than 1ppg. He was actually around 0.6ppg, and has NEVER shown strong numbers at any level. He is what he is. Looks great on the ice, can't find the back of the net. At the time, nobody seemed upset about the PK trade. It didn't work clearly, but management took a stab, and Douchene isn't doing Nashville any favours. Devils have taken many risks, and done quite well for the most part. I don't think you understand how teams rebuild in today's NHL, and the Devs are doing all the right things to regroup with a fast/young/talented team that fits the cap.
- bikeguy99

I like Hughes and I’m thrilled we were able to draft him. I like all these guys. Including Zacha. I’m just saying we’ve been pushing players in to the league quickly. They are what they are on the ice and not what the marketing department wants to pretend.

I even liked the PK trade when it happened. I’m just saying cap space has not proven to be such a boon.

This team has been rebuilding since like what 2013? I think the team is the one struggling with how it’s done more then me. IF they name Ruff head coach it’ll be another step sideways.

That said I do love that we are a young team and I hope the prospects we’ve traded for and picks bring us some success. But man it feels like we take it in the can all the time and can’t stop struggling.

Ruff won't be a step sideways, he'll be a step backward. The kids should be developing and improving. Based on Ruff's numbers the past few seasons, or past decade.. he's a terrible coach, which screws with our kids.. which make up 2/3 of the roster and 100% of our future.

Ruff's best position in an arena is with the clipboard in the penalty box. That's the perfect spot for him.

Ruff won't be a step sideways, he'll be a step backward. The kids should be developing and improving. Based on Ruff's numbers the past few seasons, or past decade.. he's a terrible coach, which screws with our kids.. which make up 2/3 of the roster and 100% of our future.

Ruff's best position in an arena is with the clipboard in the penalty box. That's the perfect spot for him.
- MartysBetter88

Totally agree. I was trying to be nice but I think he’d be a horrific choice. I can’t think of one good reason they’d want Ruff and a few bad reasons. Specifically Ruff probably is willing to say he doesn’t care who the GM or President is and he will probably take a reasonable short term deal.