@jagrbombs19

I raised this issue around the time of the Covid break where the Devils had 2 weeks off. Believe it or not, compared to what Mussa was writing then, this is an improvement. I implore you to go back and see.

Thing with subban is, if nothing else, he’s a decent trade deadline trade piece as we can retain 50%... a 4.5 million subban in a 2nd pairing role isn’t bad, he wasn’t great last season, but much better than the season before. With the right line mate, he’d work on an expiring contract. Butcher isn’t a part of whatever we are building... protect Subban, the return no matter how you slice it is far greater than butcher.
- Banana_Hammock

Only problem is better D are signing for less than 4.5M AAV. The only guys who went north of that the past offseason were Krug and Pieterangelo (am i missing any?). Nobody takes PK at 4.5M, and he is no lock for a second pairing D on a contender either. Sad bud true. Butch 50% retained is a more valuable asset. Better ppg, entering prime years, far less pims, better defensive stats surprisingly too. Not expecting anything significant if moved, but at least he has some upside.

I'm just at a level of not really caring to have much of an opinion on this team. Nothing new has happened, so I'll wait for expansion. Then I'll wait for draft. I'd be happy with Clarke or Hughes, or that Edveinivnsnsson whatever his name is, or that Guenther character. Don't really care cuz the rankings are all over and who knows.
It's hard to have a strong opinion on much of anything with this team. Most of the players are still developing and everything is a big "who knows". I just remembered Ruff is still our coach.

Ok, big prediction- we finish 12th in the East next year, ahead of Detroit, Buffalo, Columbus, and Ottawa. In the league we finish 23rd, ahead of Detroit, Buffalo, Columbus, Seattle, Anaheim, Ottawa, Arizona, San Jose, LA. Progress, but other teams are still too good, with too much talent on various levels compared to our developing kids.
We then draft the next Zach Parise at 10th overall in the 2022 draft.
Improve a few spots 22-23
Playoffs by 2024. And by that point I'll be .. 36? good heavens.
- MartysBetter88

You’re old

Getting closer

Also heard that the devil's interviewed eklund

Getting closer

Also heard that the devil's interviewed eklund
- dmarsden2988

Of course they have, it'd be negligence if they didn't. They've interviewed everyone projected to go in the top 10, and upwards of 70 different players on zoom

Theres also a rumor going around that the Devils and Fitz have an extension in place, but are waiting until after the cup finals to announce it

Getting closer

Also heard that the devil's interviewed eklund
- dmarsden2988

E5?

Of course they have, it'd be negligence if they didn't. They've interviewed everyone projected to go in the top 10, and upwards of 70 different players on zoom

Theres also a rumor going around that the Devils and Fitz have an extension in place, but are waiting until after the cup finals to announce it
- vlongo4419

Buffalo and other teams haven't interviewed many prospects yet for multiple reasons

1) waiting closer to the draft
2) not wanting to show their cards but talked to the coaches

So I am sure they have interviews some but who I am not sure and who they will no idea

Buffalo and other teams haven't interviewed many prospects yet for multiple reasons

1) waiting closer to the draft
2) not wanting to show their cards but talked to the coaches

So I am sure they have interviews some but who I am not sure and who they will no idea
- dmarsden2988

Buffalo is a measuring stick for organizational failure, your statement fills me with hope and inspiration that by not doing what they are doing, we may one day not suck.

Buffalo and other teams haven't interviewed many prospects yet for multiple reasons

1) waiting closer to the draft
2) not wanting to show their cards but talked to the coaches

So I am sure they have interviews some but who I am not sure and who they will no idea
- dmarsden2988

Buffalo hasnt because they're a dumpster fire. They're the only team in the top 10 that hasnt interviewed Owen Power yet and he has no idea when that interview is going to happen, according to him. They have no reason to "hide their cards" when they have the 1st pick lol

Buffalo is a measuring stick for organizational failure, your statement fills me with hope and inspiration that by not doing what they are doing, we may one day not suck.
- JagrBombs19

Buffalo has reportedly not spoken with Power yet, and Power has indicated a desire to return to the NCAA for another season if drafted by Buffalo (he didn't say it so brazenly, but said he would weigh his options and what was best for his mental approach)......Yikes. Could you imagine one of those scenarios where a 1st overall waits out his draft contract and walks into free agency like Butch/Kerfoot etc?

Roger Mussa: Expansion notes and Smith recognized
- Devils Advocate

Anybody know what is happening with the trade market? I thought there was still a freeze on all trades until that Arvidsson trade occurred. If teams are free to trade right now, why are the Devs not getting involved. Surely we can offer Minnie something for Dumba, or else they lose him for nothing to Seattle? I didn't think teams were allowed to make a trade but clearly I am not fully understanding this. We are debating about protecting Merkley/Butch/Bastian/Mcleod, who I would happily expose if we can add guys like Dumba, Giordaono for pennies on the dollar. Someone please clarify this for me. Thanks

Buffalo has reportedly not spoken with Power yet, and Power has indicated a desire to return to the NCAA for another season if drafted by Buffalo (he didn't say it so brazenly, but said he would weigh his options and what was best for his mental approach)......Yikes. Could you imagine one of those scenarios where a 1st overall waits out his draft contract and walks into free agency like Butch/Kerfoot etc?
- bikeguy99

I dont think he'll walk though. He 100% should be going back to college, as its best for his development so its not a "yikes" at all. If we won the lottery and drafted him, i'd want him going back to college. Nobody in this draft should be in the NHL next season, period. Same thing if we draft Hughes, i hope he goes to college for the next 2 seasons and follows Quinn's steps.

Buffalo has reportedly not spoken with Power yet, and Power has indicated a desire to return to the NCAA for another season if drafted by Buffalo (he didn't say it so brazenly, but said he would weigh his options and what was best for his mental approach)......Yikes. Could you imagine one of those scenarios where a 1st overall waits out his draft contract and walks into free agency like Butch/Kerfoot etc?
- bikeguy99

I think berniers said he may go back too

I can't see a 1st overall pick waiting out years to play in the NHL and get paid for it

Anybody know what is happening with the trade market? I thought there was still a freeze on all trades until that Arvidsson trade occurred. If teams are free to trade right now, why are the Devs not getting involved. Surely we can offer Minnie something for Dumba, or else they lose him for nothing to Seattle? I didn't think teams were allowed to make a trade but clearly I am not fully understanding this. We are debating about protecting Merkley/Butch/Bastian/Mcleod, who I would happily expose if we can add guys like Dumba, Giordaono for pennies on the dollar. Someone please clarify this for me. Thanks
- bikeguy99

Teams are always free to trade, there was never a freeze. Most teams are probably waiting until after the playoffs are done. But Dreger reported on a radio show a day or two ago that he doesnt think there will be many trades leading up to the expansion draft and there wont be as much action as people think.

Anybody know what is happening with the trade market? I thought there was still a freeze on all trades until that Arvidsson trade occurred. If teams are free to trade right now, why are the Devs not getting involved. Surely we can offer Minnie something for Dumba, or else they lose him for nothing to Seattle? I didn't think teams were allowed to make a trade but clearly I am not fully understanding this. We are debating about protecting Merkley/Butch/Bastian/Mcleod, who I would happily expose if we can add guys like Dumba, Giordaono for pennies on the dollar. Someone please clarify this for me. Thanks
- bikeguy99

Gio is a little too old for us, but I hear you on Dumba and others like that. Perhaps there are deals in flux and waiting till after the finals to announce. Im sure the GMs on teams in a crunch are working the phones to get the best possible deals. If your Nashville, you jump on that offer bc of the cap and injury concerns over arvidsson (good player but hasnt been the same since that hit).

I am a little concerned we didn't weaponize our cap space the past season and am afraid the edict is to save money and play the kids. Time will tell though, hope I am wrong.

As far as Power, yes its good he is planning to return to College, however the timing in which he made it known (after lottery) and general cluster F that are the sabres, I think people are just forecasting gloom and doom. It would really suck to see an athlete do that. Was Lindros the last hockey player to do this? I hate when athletes pull that stuff like Lindros and Eli did, im sure there are others.

We have re-signed Wedgewood to a 1 year, two-way contract worth $825k. We now meet the exposure requirements for goalies for the expansion draft.

We have re-signed Wedgewood to a 1 year, two-way contract worth $825k. We now meet the exposure requirements for goalies for the expansion draft.
- vlongo4419

I wonder if we sign a back up anyways and keep him in Utica

He had some good games but we need someone to take the pressure of blackwood

I wonder if we sign a back up anyways and keep him in Utica

He had some good games but we need someone to take the pressure of blackwood
- dmarsden2988

Im sure we will still be in the market for a goalie, its already known we're in the market to add a potential 1B goalie to split with Mac. We just needed another goalie under contract to meet expansion requirements

Gio is a little too old for us, but I hear you on Dumba and others like that. Perhaps there are deals in flux and waiting till after the finals to announce. Im sure the GMs on teams in a crunch are working the phones to get the best possible deals. If your Nashville, you jump on that offer bc of the cap and injury concerns over arvidsson (good player but hasnt been the same since that hit).

I am a little concerned we didn't weaponize our cap space the past season and am afraid the edict is to save money and play the kids. Time will tell though, hope I am wrong.

As far as Power, yes its good he is planning to return to College, however the timing in which he made it known (after lottery) and general cluster F that are the sabres, I think people are just forecasting gloom and doom. It would really suck to see an athlete do that. Was Lindros the last hockey player to do this? I hate when athletes pull that stuff like Lindros and Eli did, im sure there are others.
- JagrBombs19

I don't care one bit about our teams needs. This is simply the same as how you should go into a drafty. You take the best available player. Gio would be our top D by a landslide. He is 2 years off a norris season and was Calgs top D again. My point regarding this is about our teams future. Gio would command a minimum of a 1st rd selection at this upcoming deadline. Why have Calg lose him for absolutely nothing, if we can offer a 2nd today, play him for some of the season, and flip him for a 1st at the deadline.

Like you said, we need to "weaponize" our cap space. We are likely protecting 3-4 players that would not make many teams rosters, so what do we have to lose if we acquire good players that are otherwise getting scooped up for absolutely nothing by Seattle. Now is the time to offer teams something, as we are one of just a few teams with a significant advantage. I don't expect us to be a top destination for the bulk of the top UFA's, but there is no shortage of exposed players who would walk onto our roster in a large role and become available trade bait in no time

Teams are always free to trade, there was never a freeze. Most teams are probably waiting until after the playoffs are done. But Dreger reported on a radio show a day or two ago that he doesnt think there will be many trades leading up to the expansion draft and there wont be as much action as people think.
- vlongo4419

Remaining stagnant, and not leveraging our position right now would be a massive failure from our organization. We are not a "win-now" club, but could certainly acquire great players at a bargain price and control some top trade bait at the deadline. I know fans are tired of being sellers, but looking at the Metro division, I don't see us as contenders yet. Doesn't mean we shouldn't try and acquire potential Kraken's only to sell them ourselves. This is the time to do business, and I don't mind exposing a few more current players if that is what it means. I mean, what is the current value of a Bastian/Merkley/Butch/Mcleod.. I'd guess nothing better than a 3rd. So why not take a chance of a few notable exposed Krakens? I don't expect us to land a Hamilton/OV/Landeskog via UFA. I think that taking no action is the ultimate sign of mediocrity. Squeeze some lemons and see what happens Fitz.

Remaining stagnant, and not leveraging our position right now would be a massive failure from our organization. We are not a "win-now" club, but could certainly acquire great players at a bargain price and control some top trade bait at the deadline. I know fans are tired of being sellers, but looking at the Metro division, I don't see us as contenders yet. Doesn't mean we shouldn't try and acquire potential Kraken's only to sell them ourselves. This is the time to do business, and I don't mind exposing a few more current players if that is what it means. I mean, what is the current value of a Bastian/Merkley/Butch/Mcleod.. I'd guess nothing better than a 3rd. So why not take a chance of a few notable exposed Krakens? I don't expect us to land a Hamilton/OV/Landeskog via UFA. I think that taking no action is the ultimate sign of mediocrity. Squeeze some lemons and see what happens Fitz.
- bikeguy99

Im sure Fitz has been working the phones trying to improve the team. Possibly take advantage of expansion-troubled teams. Just because nothing has happened yet doesn't mean Fitz is just sitting on his hands doing nothing. There has been 1 trade so far, and it wasn't even an expansion fodder trade. Arvy requested a trade out of Nashville. I dont expect anything else to happen until after the finals areovers

Im sure Fitz has been working the phones trying to improve the team. Possibly take advantage of expansion-troubled teams. Just because nothing has happened yet doesn't mean Fitz is just sitting on his hands doing nothing. There has been 1 trade so far, and it wasn't even an expansion fodder trade. Arvy requested a trade out of Nashville. I dont expect anything else to happen until after the finals areovers
- vlongo4419

For sure. And I really didn't think trades were happening until after the playoffs. That is part of what surprised me with the Arvidsson trade. I know I am antsy to see something big happen. And big things will happen. Keith will not be a hawk and that has been made quite clear. Leafs are supposedly brewing up some big deal. Knights are very unlikely to go ahead with their current Tendy situation. Lots in the works for sure. I just know that our current team will not be favorable for UFA's who have their pick of the litter, unless we are willing to really open the wallet, whereas, this expansion draft has a long list of victims we can assist without them feeling so exploited. I do like what Fitz has done for the most part, and have trust in him. If we simply do nothing, that will be quite the statement to the fans. I don't care if it is looking at taking on a bad contract, targeting an unprotected expansion player, or even selling one of Zacha, P.K, Butch, Johnsson, Sevo, Wood with cap retention for a solid return. But I sure hope he does something to shake this club up and add picks/prospects to the pool.