Sucks that it takes winning the lottery to force this team into drafting good players.
- Pomegrant

Don't worry, history will continue to repeat itself and we're going to leave better players on the board to draft for need. Just wait until Fitz shocks the hockey world on draft night and takes Gauthier at #2. I bet he's one of the prospects that is flying out to Jersey next week.

Don't worry, history will continue to repeat itself and we're going to leave better players on the board to draft for need. Just wait until Fitz shocks the hockey world on draft night and takes Gauthier at #2. I bet he's one of the prospects that is flying out to Jersey next week.
- vlongo4419

It makes sense that if a team with an early pick wants to grossly over pay to move up to let them do it and just take a solid prospect. Don't think there are players from Columbus, Detroit, or Buffalo that we can swap picks for but is also a young roster player for example.

If it's Fitz doing his due diligence because there is a world in which some complicated pick switching is going to happen in conjunction with some of our other contracts being moved around that have value (Zacha, Johnsson, etc.) then there is something wrong with it.

It makes sense that if a team with an early pick wants to grossly over pay to move up to let them do it and just take a solid prospect. Don't think there are players from Columbus, Detroit, or Buffalo that we can swap picks for but is also a young roster player for example.

If it's Fitz doing his due diligence because there is a world in which some complicated pick switching is going to happen in conjunction with some of our other contracts being moved around that have value (Zacha, Johnsson, etc.) then there is something wrong with it.
- Pomegrant

Yeah for sure. If we really arent gonna take Cooley then im perfectly fine with trading down for the right package.(and it'll likely be an overpay). Like let's say Columbus for instance offers something like #6, #12, and a prospect for #2 . You gotta strongly consider that. All of the talk is we are only moving the pick for a young roster play with 'a ton of team control', so that rules out a ton of players. Ultimately all of this talk of moving either the pick or trading back is gonna be irrelevant because by far the most likely outcome is we keep the pick and draft Slaf. Right or wrong, that's probably what's gonna happen

Yeah for sure. If we really arent gonna take Cooley then im perfectly fine with trading down for the right package.(and it'll likely be an overpay). Like let's say Columbus for instance offers something like #6, #12, and a prospect for #2 . You gotta strongly consider that. All of the talk is we are only moving the pick for a young roster play with 'a ton of team control', so that rules out a ton of players. Ultimately all of this talk of moving either the pick or trading back is gonna be irrelevant because by far the most likely outcome is we keep the pick and draft Slaf. Right or wrong, that's probably what's gonna happen
- vlongo4419

Really the only player I'm interested in trading the pick for would be Debrincat. Lots of really good players available for the pick but not the right age for this team.

I'd also much rather them take Slaf rather than make a bad deal too, so even if it's not the best case scenario it's far from the worst.

Really the only player I'm interested in trading the pick for would be Debrincat. Lots of really good players available for the pick but not the right age for this team.

I'd also much rather them take Slaf rather than make a bad deal too, so even if it's not the best case scenario it's far from the worst.
- Pomegrant

Yeah there's a few players I'd move it for but they're players who won't be moved by their teams lol. I just wish we'd do the right thing and take Cooley, actually take advantage of winning yet another lottery instead of taking a huge gamble.

Sucks that it takes winning the lottery to force this team into drafting good players.
- Pomegrant

They’re drafting a bust

Just noticed capfriendly updated to 2022-23. Devils projected to have $25.3 mil in space.

Bratt, Wood, Boqvist, Zacha, Zetterlund and Colton White the only players of consequence that need a new contract. Boqvist, Zetterlund and White will probably get minor raises, Zacha is likely gone. Bratt gets a major raise. Still leaves plenty of space to go out and and get a Fiala or Meier (if he agrees to a long term deal rather than forcing a crazy qualifying offer) plus a Goalie in case Blackwood is as bad this year as last.

Still in decent shape the next year when Graves and Severson are UFA and Siegenthaler and Sharangovich RFA because Bernier, Tatar and Johnsson come off the books for an additional 12 mil or so.

Fitz has whiffed on a few things, but he's managed the cap well

Just noticed capfriendly updated to 2022-23. Devils projected to have $25.3 mil in space.

Bratt, Wood, Boqvist, Zacha, Zetterlund and Colton White the only players of consequence that need a new contract. Boqvist, Zetterlund and White will probably get minor raises, Zacha is likely gone. Bratt gets a major raise. Still leaves plenty of space to go out and and get a Fiala or Meier (if he agrees to a long term deal rather than forcing a crazy qualifying offer) plus a Goalie in case Blackwood is as bad this year as last.
- smellmyfinger

Yeah Fitz has done a fantastic job with the cap construction of this team. Getting Jack long term at only 8M before his breakout was huge, saved a couple million there. I know Nico wasnt Fitz but 7.25M is a tad under market value for him as well, and we know theres still a bit more ceiling for him to hit. Figure Bratt gets 7M at the absolute most, probably a tad under, but then next year almost 12M comes off the cap when Johnsson/Tatar/Bernier expire.

It's a great spot to be in. Definitively can fit in another big time contract and a decent contract to a goalie without any issue, and not have any issues re-signing players next year too.

Our most valuable ELCs haven't even kicked in yet either(besides Mercer), so we're at minimum 3 years away from needing to worry about Luke/Holtz/whoever we pick this year potentially needing a big deal.

Plus, on top of all that, the cap is starting to go up now too.

Yeah Fitz has done a fantastic job with the cap construction of this team. Getting Jack long term at only 8M before his breakout was huge, saved a couple million there. I know Nico wasnt Fitz but 7.25M is a tad under market value for him as well, and we know theres still a bit more ceiling for him to hit. Figure Bratt gets 7M at the absolute most, probably a tad under, but then next year almost 12M comes off the cap when Johnsson/Tatar/Bernier expire.

It's a great spot to be in. Definitively can fit in another big time contract and a decent contract to a goalie without any issue, and not have any issues re-signing players next year too.

Our most valuable ELCs haven't even kicked in yet either(besides Mercer), so we're at minimum 3 years away from needing to worry about Luke/Holtz/whoever we pick this year potentially needing a big deal.

Plus, on top of all that, the cap is starting to go up now too.
- vlongo4419

Even with Mercer there is some relief. The Schneider dead money is gone by then, pus the forward group wi be so crowded by then there will have to be more trades.

Even with Mercer there is some relief. The Schneider dead money is gone by then, pus the forward group wi be so crowded by then there will have to be more trades.
- smellmyfinger

Absolutely. Fitz has certainly made some mistakes, whether its some draft picks or sitting on his hands with the coaching staff for way too long, but he really has set this team up very well for the future. Just gotta keep adding to it but not fall into the allurement of "we need to make the playoffs this season so I gotta overpay here," which is something that can happen this offseason. It's a big offseason, and there are some "trap cards" out there that im sure he will be enticed by, but I trust he'll make the right decisions/moves.

Habs beat writers Basu and Godin put up an article on the Athletic saying from what they've heard Wright is far from a slam dunk for the Habs and it wouldn't be very surprising at all if Slafkovsky was taken at 1, as he impressed the Habs management a ton at the combine.

It's probably just typical noise like usual as we approach the draft, but having Wright fall to #2 is by far the best outcome that could happen on draft night. Until it actually happens, i refuse to believe Habs management are that dumb though.

They're saying we're the frontrunners for Fiala. Who is moving out to make it happen?I'm thinking it would be Sharangovich probably.

They're saying we're the frontrunners for Fiala. Who is moving out to make it happen?I'm thinking it would be Sharangovich probably.
- Pomegrant

Yeah I saw that article too, think a Kings writer wrote it. I disagree that were the frontrunner though. I highly doubt Fitz moves Sharangovich, and I don't think he would be someone the Wild are targeting because it's only a 1 year bandaid fix. He's due for a decent raise after next season and they'll be in the exact same situation next offseason as this offseason. They want guys on ELCs/prospects and draft picks apparently, and i think guys like Zacha/Wood/Shara will be too expensive for them. I could see us giving up our 1st next year with protection as the main piece, along with someone like Foote. Throw in a Johnsson if they want/need someone to fill in their middle 6 for a year. But if Ottawa offers 7th overall we can't beat it unless we're giving up Holtz, which I don't believe Fitz will do.

I'm sticking with us offering either a protected 1st next year or our 2nd along with some combination of Foote/Zetterlund/Boqvist and a Johnsson/Tatar with salary retention. Fitz has held strong on offers in the past and moved on from possible moves if teams push for more, and i don't think he'll budge here either. Let another team overpay.

Bruins have relieved Bruce Cassidy of his duties. If theres ever a Ruff replacement that would fit this team nicely, its him. Fitz should be all over this and atleast meeting with him. His style matches what this team wants to do and he has a history of getting more out of his teams then should be getting.

No excuse to not bring him in.

Habs beat writers Basu and Godin put up an article on the Athletic saying from what they've heard Wright is far from a slam dunk for the Habs and it wouldn't be very surprising at all if Slafkovsky was taken at 1, as he impressed the Habs management a ton at the combine.

It's probably just typical noise like usual as we approach the draft, but having Wright fall to #2 is by far the best outcome that could happen on draft night. Until it actually happens, i refuse to believe Habs management are that dumb though.
- vlongo4419

Reminds me of the Kakko/Hughes thing. There was never a doubt Devils were taking Hughes. Last time I remember there being a real debate on who was going first was Nico/Nolan.

Reminds me of the Kakko/Hughes thing. There was never a doubt Devils were taking Hughes. Last time I remember there being a real debate on who was going first was Nico/Nolan.
- smellmyfinger

Yeah for sure, that was the last time McKenzies final rankings were close on #1 votes too(Nico had 5, Nolan had 4/Makar had one.) Media even tried to do it for Hughes/Kakko but those votes were 8-2 for Hughes, so it wasn't even close. I'll be interested to see the final votes in his rankings next month and if it's any closer now that the World Championships happened(in the draft lottery rankings Wright had 6 votes, Slaf had 2, and Cooley had 1)

It just doesn't make sense for the Habs to pass on Wright imo. He's the best player in the draft and as good as Nick Suzuki can be, they need another potential franchise center. Build around Wright-Suzuki down the middle, and obviously Caufield on one of their wings. Solid starting point for their rebuild.

Very odd that the Bruins fired Cassidy. First reaction is that he doesn't fit this team but had a lot of success in Boston with some pretty lackluster rosters.

On the Fiala front, it's making more and more sense that teams are really low balling Minnesota because they know that they can't qualify the offer. I wouldn't mind 2nd rounder and one of the young roster players that aren't essential (Boqvist, Zetterlund).

Bruins have relieved Bruce Cassidy of his duties. If theres ever a Ruff replacement that would fit this team nicely, its him. Fitz should be all over this and atleast meeting with him. His style matches what this team wants to do and he has a history of getting more out of his teams then should be getting.

No excuse to not bring him in.
- vlongo4419

I’m on board

Wouldn't mind Cassidy. Just seems like the team enjoys playing for Ruff and he's good with the kids. Does Cassidy come across as a guy being good with kids or vets? I've only seen him with the veteran Bruins. Might be time for the kids to "man-up" so to speak. Worth a look.

idk what i want in terms of who to draft or trade for. Pros and cons to everything. I'm just here for the ride. Hope we get Wright

Wouldn't mind Cassidy. Just seems like the team enjoys playing for Ruff and he's good with the kids. Does Cassidy come across as a guy being good with kids or vets? I've only seen him with the veteran Bruins. Might be time for the kids to "man-up" so to speak. Worth a look.

idk what i want in terms of who to draft or trade for. Pros and cons to everything. I'm just here for the ride. Hope we get Wright
- MartysBetter88

The reports out of Boston are that Cassidy was really hard on the young players in a way that stunted their growth. Whether or not you believe that since Boston's upper management has been notoriously poor at drafting and player development. Boston has done really well every season under Cassidy despite not having a lot of offensive depth and a mix of lackluster defensemen.

If the stories of him being harsh on young players can be believed then obviously not the right fit. But might just be a smoke screen.

I heard the GM slipped Bettman and co something under the table to move up to #2. Anyone hearing the same?

I’m on board
- shvingter88

Why are you on board?

I’m on couch.

The reports out of Boston are that Cassidy was really hard on the young players in a way that stunted their growth. Whether or not you believe that since Boston's upper management has been notoriously poor at drafting and player development. Boston has done really well every season under Cassidy despite not having a lot of offensive depth and a mix of lackluster defensemen.

If the stories of him being harsh on young players can be believed then obviously not the right fit. But might just be a smoke screen.
- Pomegrant

Yeah not sure i believe that lol. What young players?? Their drafting has been dogpoop and when Jack Studnicka is considered your best prospect for the years Cassidy has been there then theres not much to work with lol. McAvoy has become one of the best D in the league under him, and DeBrusk has been a fine middle 6 winger. What other young players do they have that were supposed to be anything? Its not his fault that management and scouts have bombed every draft since essentially whiffing on 3 straight picks in 2015. It's typical 'kick a guy while he's on his way out' bs, but Sweeney and Neely are the real issues there.

Also, the Bruins beat writer Fluto Shinzawa said on a radio hit today that the Bruins could explore trading Pastrnak this offseason. Just turned 26, but only 1 year left until UFA. Definitely something to look into if hes willing to extend.

Also, the Bruins beat writer Fluto Shinzawa said on a radio hit today that the Bruins could explore trading Pastrnak this offseason. Just turned 26, but only 1 year left until UFA. Definitely something to look into if hes willing to extend.
- vlongo4419

If we knew we could extend Pasta, I would absolutely trade the Bruins the 2OA pick + B level prospect

I heard the GM slipped Bettman and co something under the table to move up to #2. Anyone hearing the same?
- halo63

They slipped a handy under the table