Todd Cordell: On the Devils' shrinking coaching staff and a few draft thoughts

Enter the Captain, #4.

The more I read about Kupari, the more I hope the Devils pass on him. I worry that's who the pick will be though because he seems to have the traits the organization seems to value.

I don't think the Devils should trade down for Sandin. If he's available, take him at 17. Depending on who you read, I've seen him projected as high as 15. It's not that much of a stretch to take him there. The only weakness he seems to have is he's not a + skater, but from everything I've read it's not even a weakness, just not a strength.

I'm still skeptical of Denisenko. If he's as talented as people think, where are the numbers to go with it? At least Bokk showed well in his junior league. Following that thread, Berggren, Wise, and Bokk are all players I'd be interested in the Devils taking if they move down.

The more I read about Kupari, the more I hope the Devils pass on him. I worry that's who the pick will be though because he seems to have the traits the organization seems to value.

I don't think the Devils should trade down for Sandin. If he's available, take him at 17. Depending on who you read, I've seen him projected as high as 15. It's not that much of a stretch to take him there. The only weakness he seems to have is he's not a + skater, but from everything I've read it's not even a weakness, just not a strength.

I'm still skeptical of Denisenko. If he's as talented as people think, where are the numbers to go with it? At least Bokk showed well in his junior league. Following that thread, Berggren, Wise, and Bokk are all players I'd be interested in the Devils taking if they move down.
- CaptCrankypants

I agree w/Todd's #4.... Also, if any player has "off-ice" issues we must pass. Shero is building this team around TEAM which is awesome. You cant fix mental cases but you can fix kids that have Defense or Offence issues.

I agree w/Todd's #4.... Also, if any player has "off-ice" issues we must pass. Shero is building this team around TEAM which is awesome. You cant fix mental cases but you can fix kids that have Defense or Offence issues.
- Leniwm1

If the Devils had another pick before the 4th round, I'd consider it.

If the Devils had another pick before the 4th round, I'd consider it.
- CaptCrankypants

Maybe Shero shouldnt force any transactions, FA/trades until Hall and Nico are locked up. Maybe its safer so you dont do stupid deals and handcuff himself.

Enter the Captain, #4.
- Leniwm1

Yeah, I wish.... but Stevens should be running the defense. He's not really a special teams coach. And whatever Clowe was doing seems like a step down. I'm expecting Lou Lams to scoop him up out on the Island.

Speaking of Clowe, I doubt he's making any coaching decisions based on pay. I'm sure he's going where and taking the opportunities he finds the most interesting.

Yeah, I wish.... but Stevens should be running the defense. He's not really a special teams coach. And whatever Clowe was doing seems like a step down. I'm expecting Lou Lams to scoop him up out on the Island.

Speaking of Clowe, I doubt he's making any coaching decisions based on pay. I'm sure he's going where and taking the opportunities he finds the most interesting.
- Queenie_5_hole

I love Lou, but he lost his mojo when he was still running the Devs. Why do people think he's going to just miraculously turn the Isles around?

I love Lou, but he lost his mojo when he was still running the Devs. Why do people think he's going to just miraculously turn the Isles around?
- Leniwm1

Lou needed to be separated form his scouting department in NJ and for that he certainly bears responsibility, but he's a very capable GM. He's certainly an upgrade to Garth Snow. Will that turn the Isles around? (frank) if I know.

You cant fix mental cases but you can fix kids that have Defense or Offence issues.

There's no established authority on what you can and can't fix. You got the right mechanics, you can fix a lot.

I love Lou, but he lost his mojo when he was still running the Devs. Why do people think he's going to just miraculously turn the Isles around?
- Leniwm1

Lou helped pull Toronto out of the fire; all they need is a leash for Rielly and maybe a couple of upgrades. He can do the same with the Isles.

I'm not saying he isn't, I'm just asking why Barrett Hayton is considerd a better prospect than Akil Thomas.

Akil Thomas (C) Niagara IceDogs OHL 68 22 59 81

Barrett Hayton (C) Sault Ste. Marie OHL 63 21 39 60

Todd Cordell: On the Devils' shrinking coaching staff and a few draft thoughts
- Todd.Cordell

Trade up for tkachuk or down for Noel

AV

I'm not saying he isn't, I'm just asking why Barrett Hayton is considerd a better prospect than Akil Thomas.

Akil Thomas (C) Niagara IceDogs OHL 68 22 59 81

Barrett Hayton (C) Sault Ste. Marie OHL 63 21 39 60
- cu45161

He's a center and one of the best two way players in the draft and people feel Thomas ends up a winger in the NHL. Still dumb though. I'd take Thomas every day of the week over Hayton.

Not surprising at all when you think about it with Clowe leaving. The only reason I think he was here to begin with was he performing a service for the Devils being they had to pay him for the duration of the contract.

Not surprising at all when you think about it with Clowe leaving. The only reason I think he was here to begin with was he performing a service for the Devils being they had to pay him for the duration of the contract.
- RussH1964

Well he wasnt providing as service per se, they pretty much told him I bet since he was still under contract.

Trade back with the Red Wings 30 & 33.
Load up with big defensemen. Samuelsson and Miller would work. Ginning as a fall back as well. Tired of seeing the front of the net being a “ no touch zone”

Trade back with the Red Wings 30 & 33.
Load up with big defensemen. Samuelsson and Miller would work. Ginning as a fall back as well. Tired of seeing the front of the net being a “ no touch zone”
- Relentless

Answer is “no”. Wings need to hit the 30, 33 and 36 out of the park. I’m really hoping for Berggren, Miller and Samuelsson. Still want Jett Woo just for his name

Trade back with the Red Wings 30 & 33.
Load up with big defensemen. Samuelsson and Miller would work. Ginning as a fall back as well. Tired of seeing the front of the net being a “ no touch zone”
- Relentless

Derp

Enter the Captain, #4.
- Leniwm1

I wish

someone get me excited for the upcoming season. minimal optimism over here. Nico should be better. Maybe Brat too.. annd.. a prayer that Zacha improves? There's Hall.. and Vats.. but.. that's.. I mean can we really expect to be much better next year? or a contender? what would make us a contender in the future? Is it a big UFA? A lucky pick in the draft? because picking 17th overall for the next 3 years won't land us another stud to go with Hischier and Hall to build a team with. I'm not jumping out of my seat with enthusiasm for any of our prospects. should I be? honestly.. not the rose-colored glasses.

someone get me excited for the upcoming season. minimal optimism over here. Nico should be better. Maybe Brat too.. annd.. a prayer that Zacha improves? There's Hall.. and Vats.. but.. that's.. I mean can we really expect to be much better next year? or a contender? what would make us a contender in the future? Is it a big UFA? A lucky pick in the draft? because picking 17th overall for the next 3 years won't land us another stud to go with Hischier and Hall to build a team with. I'm not jumping out of my seat with enthusiasm for any of our prospects. should I be? honestly.. not the rose-colored glasses.
- MartysBetter88

There is no future

DOOMED

someone get me excited for the upcoming season. minimal optimism over here. Nico should be better. Maybe Brat too.. annd.. a prayer that Zacha improves? There's Hall.. and Vats.. but.. that's.. I mean can we really expect to be much better next year? or a contender? what would make us a contender in the future? Is it a big UFA? A lucky pick in the draft? because picking 17th overall for the next 3 years won't land us another stud to go with Hischier and Hall to build a team with. I'm not jumping out of my seat with enthusiasm for any of our prospects. should I be? honestly.. not the rose-colored glasses.
- MartysBetter88

If you're a GM and expect high draft picks "every year" to make your team better, you can go to Edmonton.

Just because Pittsburgh did it doesn't mean it's the only way. Chicago only needed 1 first overall, and LA didn't even have a first overall, but won because of smart drafting their core.

NJ has a pretty good core and Shero is still one of the best traders. Last year, Will Butcher fell to us from the sky. You never know what an offseason brings.

There's plenty of players with talent at where NJ is picking.

Shero's one of the smarter GMs out there. Let's see what he brings.

If you're a GM and expect high draft picks "every year" to make your team better, you can go to Edmonton.

Just because Pittsburgh did it doesn't mean it's the only way. Chicago only needed 1 first overall, and LA didn't even have a first overall, but won because of smart drafting their core.

NJ has a pretty good core and Shero is still one of the best traders. Last year, Will Butcher fell to us from the sky. You never know what an offseason brings.

There's plenty of players with talent at where NJ is picking.

Shero's one of the smarter GMs out there. Let's see what he brings.
- archromat

Toews was 3rd overall to go with Kane. We just gotta hope all our "Butchers" turn into Lidstroms. I don't expect high picks every year, but generally you need a few franchise players through the draft, and they generally come at the top. anyways.. hope the kids all take a big step forward from bottom pair/3rd and 4th liners.