Oh I agree, I felt that way too. OT losses to start hurt.. could go either way. The better team won that series, but I feel we were robbed of game 6. Maybe we lose that game anyway, but maybe not.. we'll never know. Then it comes down to a winner take all game 7 and hopefully the Devils would've mustered the magic to win it.

life goes on.
- MartysBetter88

I was at a wedding for the LA/Rags final and I almost got beatup because i was the only devil fan and talking poop at place full of rags fans. AND I KEPT MOUTHING OFF!

F the rags

F the Blueskirts indeed.

I was at a wedding for the LA/Rags final and I almost got beatup because i was the only devil fan and talking poop at place full of rags fans. AND I KEPT MOUTHING OFF!

F the rags
- Leniwm1

lolol

This is why we need gusev

Watching Simmonds play almost every game he played in Philly I was tickled to see him go as he is obvious decline and is nowhere as tough as some think he is. He has character but he is not a heavyweight. He cost the Flyers a playoff spot a couple years ago by not chipping a puck out at the blueline which was an easy chip out. He flubbed it. On a positive he had some great years as a Flyer and I used to love his play. This game is like any job, it is what you do for me now and not what you did in the past. Good luck Wayne.
- joegreif17

The Joe is loose!

Would you do Severson and Bratt for Laine (and possibly a draft pick)? Devils will need to give Vatanen a contract extension.

Would you do Severson and Bratt for Laine (and possibly a draft pick)? Devils will need to give Vatanen a contract extension.
- CardiffGiant

I'd say yes... but I'd love to keep bratt and see how he turns out. Quick and shifty vs stagnant with lethal shot..

I'd say yes... but I'd love to keep bratt and see how he turns out. Quick and shifty vs stagnant with lethal shot..
- Leniwm1

Laine can afford to be stagnant with Hughes feeding him shots. Thats a tough decision. I don't love Severson, but he seems to continue to improve. He should be very steady this year.

I'd say yes... but I'd love to keep bratt and see how he turns out. Quick and shifty vs stagnant with lethal shot..
- Leniwm1

Sell high on Bratt now! Sign Vats. I’d do that trade.

Would you do Severson and Bratt for Laine (and possibly a draft pick)? Devils will need to give Vatanen a contract extension.
- CardiffGiant

No.

Laine has serious character issues, talented as he is. I also think the Jets acknowledge he has ceiling as an NHL superstar, so they wouldn't take that deal. Kyle Connor and Nik Ehlers could be their more disposable players.

Sell high on Bratt now! Sign Vats. I’d do that trade.
- Queenie_5_hole

If this trade is even remotely possible the Devils should do it.

Boqvist or Zacha can slide over to the left side with Hughes and Laine. Rooney can play 4th line center minutes for this season.

When Zajac has moved on as a Devil (either through retirement, trade, or signs elsewhere), they can deploy Zacha, Boqvist, McLeod as a 3rd line center. Heck, you can have Coleman play center on the 3rd or 4th line. When Simmonds moves on, just place Bastian in the line-up (personally I think the kid will make the team this year).

As for the defense, you give Vatanen a 3-5 year extension and you can slide Reilly Walsh into the line-up in the next 2 years. Hopefully, Smith can be a top 4 defenseman quickly. So a line-up for this coming season could look like:

Hall-Hischier-Palmieri
Zacha-Hughes-Laine
Boqvist-Zajac-Coleman
Wood-Rooney-Simmonds

Vatanen-Subban
Butcher-Carrick
Greene-Smith

The 2020-21 there's the expansion draft and cap space will shrink, but I think the Devils will still be in good shape.

This is why we need gusev
- cu45161

Bust

Simmers greatest numbers may be in the past although he has a good opportunity here to rebound, he has all the will in the world and does not take anything forgranted, I honestly expect him to be a surprise for the fans, He's going to play his heart out, Its a 1 year contract to try to gain a big "final" contract for him - He took a really team friendly contract in Phily last time around, The fans will absolutely love his heart and effort and he's good for a solid 20 goals if hes used as a net front on PP1.

Simmers greatest numbers may be in the past although he has a good opportunity here to rebound, he has all the will in the world and does not take anything forgranted, I honestly expect him to be a surprise for the fans, He's going to play his heart out, Its a 1 year contract to try to gain a big "final" contract for him - He took a really team friendly contract in Phily last time around, The fans will absolutely love his heart and effort and he's good for a solid 20 goals if hes used as a net front on PP1.
- GPerogie

There is no doubt he is an old school warrior. The question is what he has left in the tank. I’m not sure, but we are going to find out. And if he’s remotely successful the fans will love him.

Watching Simmonds play almost every game he played in Philly I was tickled to see him go as he is obvious decline and is nowhere as tough as some think he is. He has character but he is not a heavyweight. He cost the Flyers a playoff spot a couple years ago by not chipping a puck out at the blueline which was an easy chip out. He flubbed it. On a positive he had some great years as a Flyer and I used to love his play. This game is like any job, it is what you do for me now and not what you did in the past. Good luck Wayne.
- joegreif17

One play in one game does not cost a team a playoff spot.

Would you do Severson and Bratt for Laine (and possibly a draft pick)? Devils will need to give Vatanen a contract extension.
- CardiffGiant

Yes. Full stop.

Would you do Severson and Bratt for Laine (and possibly a draft pick)? Devils will need to give Vatanen a contract extension.
- CardiffGiant

Maybe

Simmonds has never been a big 5v5 guy. His specialty is the PP. 2 Seasons ago he had some serious injury issues. Much like Giroux, it took him over a year to get back to his normal self. He should still a useful piece and be a 50-60 point guy

Simmonds has never been a big 5v5 guy. His specialty is the PP. 2 Seasons ago he had some serious injury issues. Much like Giroux, it took him over a year to get back to his normal self. He should still a useful piece and be a 50-60 point guy
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

I believe that Simmonds can bounce back but he only had two 60 point seasons in his prime. Simmonds reaching that level in points is unlikely. 45 points with good all around player is more likely in a bounce back.

Simmonds has never been a big 5v5 guy. His specialty is the PP. 2 Seasons ago he had some serious injury issues. Much like Giroux, it took him over a year to get back to his normal self. He should still a useful piece and be a 50-60 point guy
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

I'd do a dance if he hits 60.. heck, even 50!

I just want Ray to drop the final shoe already. If its a Laine or Marner or Gardiner or someone off the map.. just drop the shoe. This is why Simmonds was so frustrating.. we were waiting for something good-great, and instead we got a guy coming off his worst season that we *hope* can be a 2nd line winger.

Maybe Ray just rides into the season and gives our prospects legit shots to do something with the available ice time. Lots of players/prospects with lots to prove - Bratt, Zacha, Boqvist, Hayden, Hughes, Smith, and I'll even throw Wood in there. That's half of our forwards lol.

No.

Laine has serious character issues
- archromat

Yea but he’s a stud in Fortnite

7x8 for Trouba. Ouch

Yea but he’s a stud in Fortnite
- RubberBiscuitz

Stanley Cup, here we come

7x8 for Trouba. Ouch
- willschulme

about $1m over pay for #2dman

about $1m over pay for #2dman
- nyrangers2

Yeah that's about right assuming he plays as well in NY as he did in Winnipeg.