Maybe a Schwartz? Saad? Tatar? They can score.
If we had last year’s Palmieri I’d rather just keep him, but maybe these 3 offer more skill, while he offers more grit? Maybe trade Gusev, keep Palms and get a ufa? Depends on the return.

On D.. how’s Larsson looking? Denis Savard is another option. bring back Murray?

Zacha-Hischier-Bratt
Schwartz-Hughes-Holtz
Sharangovich-Mercer-Kuokkanen
Johnsson-McLeod-Bastian

That’s IF Holtz and Mercer make it and Foote doesn’t. The only downer to inking a top 6 winger and/or Palmieri is it takes roster spots from the kids. Lots of youth in that bottom 6... but that’s just how the depth shakes out. We have kids that are good enough to play, but not good enough for the top 6 roles necessarily... so they comprise the entirety of the bottom 6. Schwartz would be the only veteran on the team. Johnsson will be 27, Zacha 24, Bratt, McLeod, Bastian 23.. those are our oldest forwards lol. Zajac bas played well this season. Maybe bring him back a year to stabilize the bottom 6 and maintain the leadership role. Have Mercer Bing 1 more year.
Or maybe Palmieri will bounce back. He doesn’t seem to be enjoying himself based on his facial expressions.. so maybe he’s not the guy we need in the room?
- MartysBetter88

As far as the prospects are concerned, PLEASE don't rush them because of need. We are not going anywhere this or probably next year, let them earn/grow into it. By the way, Graeme Clarke looks like a silent keeper, too small a sample size, but so far so good.

As far as the prospects are concerned, PLEASE don't rush them because of need. We are not going anywhere this or probably next year, let them earn/grow into it. By the way, Graeme Clarke looks like a silent keeper, too small a sample size, but so far so good.
- redmonsters

Agreed. Im all for overcooking them in the AHL for a bit. I wouldn't be upset at all if all of Clarke/Foote/Mercer/Holtz were all in Bingo next season. I'd prefer it actually. But their play will dictate will they end up, if they deserve being on the club they will be

Agreed. Im all for overcooking them in the AHL for a bit. I wouldn't be upset at all if all of Clarke/Foote/Mercer/Holtz were all in Bingo next season. I'd prefer it actually. But their play will dictate will they end up, if they deserve being on the club they will be
- vlongo4419

I definitely agree. The trick though, is if we sign a top 6 or re-sign Palms.. it’ll be for multiple years, so they’ll be taking a lineup spot for 3-5 years. But maybe that’s ok. I think we need talent to help continue developing the kids that are already on the team. I’m all for letting Foote, Holtz, Mercer, etc slow-cook in the Bing next year.

I definitely agree. The trick though, is if we sign a top 6 or re-sign Palms.. it’ll be for multiple years, so they’ll be taking a lineup spot for 3-5 years. But maybe that’s ok. I think we need talent to help continue developing the kids that are already on the team. I’m all for letting Foote, Holtz, Mercer, etc slow-cook in the Bing next year.
- MartysBetter88

Yeah thats fine with me honestly. We really need to get a proven top 6 scoring winger to play with Jack though, and it needs to happen this offseason. He needs to starting playing with somebody who can actually handle/match his skill and put the puck in the net. The price doesnt matter to me at this point, whether we give up an assets to trade for a winger or throw the bag at say Landeskog if he gets to free agency. Fitz just needs to get someone.

Im typically someone who wants to stay out of free agency until we're ready to truly compete, and only make a deal if it fits what we're building, but i'm forgoing all of this offseason to get a winger.

We really need to get a proven top 6 scoring winger to play with Jack though, and it needs to happen this offseason. He needs to starting playing with somebody who can actually handle/match his skill and put the puck in the net.
- vlongo4419

Don’t worry. We are getting Laine.

Don’t worry. We are getting Laine.
- RubberBiscuitz

You have to give to get, and I am all for going after Laine, but unsure what the cost might be.

I definitely agree. The trick though, is if we sign a top 6 or re-sign Palms.. it’ll be for multiple years, so they’ll be taking a lineup spot for 3-5 years. But maybe that’s ok. I think we need talent to help continue developing the kids that are already on the team. I’m all for letting Foote, Holtz, Mercer, etc slow-cook in the Bing next year.
- MartysBetter88

I think Mercer is going in to camp like Ty Smith a year ago, he can play his way out of the lineup but even an ok camp and he makes the team.

It’s hard to think Wedge is going to become a legit NHL backup at this point of his career; but his numbers are pretty good this year and he is only 28 years old. I think he’s a good candidate to bounce between the NHL and the AHL.
- Queenie_5_hole

He is a legit backup already. Just look at the Devs defensive core! Way too many high dangerous opportunists, and our shot suppression is very weak. Blackwood has to make 3 highlight saves a night to maintain a .915%, which most goalies can do with far less effort. Crawford would have been ideal, but no need to play the "what-if" game.

I think Mercer is going in to camp like Ty Smith a year ago, he can play his way out of the lineup but even an ok camp and he makes the team.
- rmdevil313

I think so too. You could probably throw Mercer into our lineup right now and he'd be fine, but yeah i agree he feels like he would need to play himself out of making the team next camp.

He is a legit backup already. Just look at the Devs defensive core! Way too many high dangerous opportunists, and our shot suppression is very weak. Blackwood has to make 3 highlight saves a night to maintain a .915%, which most goalies can do with far less effort. Crawford would have been ideal, but no need to play the "what-if" game.
- bikeguy99

Wedge has been fine this year. No doubt about that. I just get nervous with a player who's never established himself as a reliable NHL goalie and now working off a small sample. But Wedge is inexpensive and still should have plenty of good years ahead. I'd just like to see someone also potentially able to fill in NHL games in the farm system.

Wedge has been fine this year. No doubt about that. I just get nervous with a player who's never established himself as a reliable NHL goalie and now working off a small sample. But Wedge is inexpensive and still should have plenty of good years ahead. I'd just like to see someone also potentially able to fill in NHL games in the farm system.
- Queenie_5_hole

I root for the underdog and Wedgewood is typically it. He is not the future of the Devils but might be a decent stopgap and in that time he will get a nice check. I know we have a couple of goalie 'prospects" but the one I have the most hope for is Nico Daws. Needs some time but there is hope, even if he turns into only #2 (tender that is). Also, if we do get another first rounder this year, the Devils need to do everything they can to get Wallstedt. Probably would not fall to that second first round pick, but if we can trade up totally worth it.

He is a legit backup already. Just look at the Devs defensive core! Way too many high dangerous opportunists, and our shot suppression is very weak. Blackwood has to make 3 highlight saves a night to maintain a .915%, which most goalies can do with far less effort. Crawford would have been ideal, but no need to play the "what-if" game.
- bikeguy99

What if?

What if?
- Banana_Hammock

It wouldn't work out for the Devils...

He is a legit backup already. Just look at the Devs defensive core! Way too many high dangerous opportunists, and our shot suppression is very weak. Blackwood has to make 3 highlight saves a night to maintain a .915%, which most goalies can do with far less effort. Crawford would have been ideal, but no need to play the "what-if" game.
- bikeguy99

Crawford was always an average goalie and had been falling apart for the past few years. He was a stupid free agent signing.