Todd Cordell: New Jersey Devils Q&A: on de Haan, big game hunting, McLeod & more

Hello Todd, As always thanks for your writing. Your answers today to a number of questions has me very confused. Remembering this was a team that barely made the playoffs, and then really got outplayed for the most part against TB. From your answers it appears what we have in the current prospect pipeline is suspect NHL players. In addition it looks like you don't want to spend big on free agents or don't think the Devils can. You want to keep the first round pick (help probably 3 years down the line). So with no help from free agency (or marginal improvement from Moore to DeHaan), no help from the minors, and potential trades that would open up other holes, are you saying we are stuck in mediocrity - no lottery picks and quick playoff exists? It seems pretty depressing. What am I missing?

Todd, do you worry at all about a guy like Denisenko not having put up great numbers in his junior league? Drafting players with lots of tools without the production to back it up hasn't worked out well for NJ in the past.

Hello Todd, As always thanks for your writing. Your answers today to a number of questions has me very confused. Remembering this was a team that barely made the playoffs, and then really got outplayed for the most part against TB. From your answers it appears what we have in the current prospect pipeline is suspect NHL players. In addition it looks like you don't want to spend big on free agents or don't think the Devils can. You want to keep the first round pick (help probably 3 years down the line). So with no help from free agency (or marginal improvement from Moore to DeHaan), no help from the minors, and potential trades that would open up other holes, are you saying we are stuck in mediocrity - no lottery picks and quick playoff exists? It seems pretty depressing. What am I missing?
- redmonsters

That's very possible. There's a reason I spent the first half of the season hoping the Devils would fall into lottery contention.

Edit: it's also the reason I badly want the Devils to go after Tavares. They don't really have anyone at the position other than Hischier. Zajac is still good defensively but is an offensive black hole, Zacha has played about 2 months worth of good hockey in his NHL career so far, McLeod probably won't be as good as Zacha is, Boqvist has gotten mixed reviews, and anyone else in the system is a long shot.

What if Shero does the unthinkable ...

What if Shero does the unthinkable ...
- Leniwm1

I'll bite. What is the unthinkable?

What if Shero does the unthinkable ...
- Leniwm1

I don't know what the unthinkable is but it's really up to Ray to find a way forward.

Ownership indicated a few times they were willing to spend when the right time came. They indicated they wanted to push for the playoffs and want Hall here long term.

We seem to have pushed ourselves out of the 'don't mind us, we're just rebuilding phase' earlier then expected. That was fun, but it might make rebuilding a little more complicated.

I'll bite. What is the unthinkable?
- redmonsters

Trading with the Rangers was the unthinkable... and of course it was a disaster. Not blaming Ray for the outcome. I think it made a lot of sense. Just saying I was hoping to die having never seen the Devils trade with those bastards.

Trading with the Rangers was the unthinkable... and of course it was a disaster. Not blaming Ray for the outcome. I think it made a lot of sense. Just saying I was hoping to die having never seen the Devils trade with those bastards.
- Queenie_5_hole

Amen. And the heavens showed us what will happen when we do trade with them.....goddamn Rags.

I'll bite. What is the unthinkable?
- redmonsters

Im not sure, it hasn't been thought of yet. =)

How do you know that Karlsson wants to play for a team like the Lightning? Did I miss something, or do you just mean he wants to play for a contender in general? Now I'm wondering what we would even have to give up to get him.

How do you know that Karlsson wants to play for a team like the Lightning? Did I miss something, or do you just mean he wants to play for a contender in general? Now I'm wondering what we would even have to give up to get him.
- jvar17

He thinks because Hedman is Swedish that all Swedes wanna be together, eating Swedish fish and shopping at Ikea. Good luck fitting his contract on that team.

OEL

How do you know that Karlsson wants to play for a team like the Lightning? Did I miss something, or do you just mean he wants to play for a contender in general? Now I'm wondering what we would even have to give up to get him.
- jvar17

There were reports at the deadline the Lightning would be a preferred destination if he was moved. Also, I meant it as a general statement that he'd like to play for a team with elite talent that is clearly a contender.

Todd, do you worry at all about a guy like Denisenko not having put up great numbers in his junior league? Drafting players with lots of tools without the production to back it up hasn't worked out well for NJ in the past.
- CaptCrankypants

I get the concern but I don't think he was used optimally and his U18 performance was impressive.

Hello Todd, As always thanks for your writing. Your answers today to a number of questions has me very confused. Remembering this was a team that barely made the playoffs, and then really got outplayed for the most part against TB. From your answers it appears what we have in the current prospect pipeline is suspect NHL players. In addition it looks like you don't want to spend big on free agents or don't think the Devils can. You want to keep the first round pick (help probably 3 years down the line). So with no help from free agency (or marginal improvement from Moore to DeHaan), no help from the minors, and potential trades that would open up other holes, are you saying we are stuck in mediocrity - no lottery picks and quick playoff exists? It seems pretty depressing. What am I missing?
- redmonsters

Well, I think adding a couple Tier 2 players, a bounce back from Schneider, a healthy Johansson, and the improvement of Hischier, Bratt, Butcher, Wood, etc. can help them take another step forward.

Well, I think adding a couple Tier 2 players, a bounce back from Schneider, a healthy Johansson, and the improvement of Hischier, Bratt, Butcher, Wood, etc. can help them take another step forward.
- ToddCordellCGY

Hello Todd, thanks for responding! OK, I get your point, some risks there of course. But what do they do with that salary cap. Extensions for Hall and Nico only eat up so much of that. If they spend it I would like to see them spend it on quality that doesn't come around too often. Honestly, the Devs have to overpay to get some one here. If its quality I'm OK with that. Spending on Tier 2 players sometimes backfires, see: Ryder, Tootoo, Rutuu, Cammelleri, Clowe, etc. Not arguing with you, but if you have the cap and use it wisely, it might be worthwhile to bring in a stud even though the last three years are garbage. In that line of thinking, what is the window of opportunity for the Devils? I can say I am not smart enough to know, but Schneider and Hall have a lot to say about it.

There were reports at the deadline the Lightning would be a preferred destination if he was moved. Also, I meant it as a general statement that he'd like to play for a team with elite talent that is clearly a contender.
- ToddCordellCGY

Given that they traded away this years 1st rd pick and 2 of their best prospects for McDonaugh, highly doubtful they’d trade away more assets for Karllson. 2nd rd pick in next years draft they also traded becomes a 1st if they win the cup, which could happen with Karlsson... then both Karlsson and McD are FAs

We're doomed. Unless we hit a home run, we're doomed. Look how good these playoff teams were. We're not in that league. No I don't think we're close. Big needs up front and on D. We're a top prospect AND a trade AND big UFA away.