Todd Cordell: On Nikita Gusev and an optimal top-6

Butcher signed. 11.2 over 3 years. I think that's very fair.

Todd Cordell: On Nikita Gusev and an optimal top-6
- Todd.Cordell

I'm fine with that lineup. And Butch's 3 year 3.73M AAV extension was a good deal for the Dev's! Thats what many 5D's are getting paid.

Have to say, this team is shaping up very nicely. The playoffs are an expectation now and will rely totally on how Schneider/Blackwood step up alongside avoiding the injury bug.

With that said, this devils team seems to have the prospect depth (McLeod, Bastian, Boqvist, etc.) to hold down the fort in case the latter comes to fruition.

What a great problem to have!

I seriously am thinking of moving back to Jersey and getting season tickets.

Devs30....quotes not working

I believe they said that if boqvist doesn't make the team he will go back to Sweden, so will be interesting to see what happens with him

We can always go the PTO route with Stafford again!

That top 6 has scary potential... the speed is going to make Nj ridiculously fun to watch next season and into the future.

What about switching the Centers? Hischier is capable of running a line without Hall (I think he looked better without Hall). Hughestrains with Hall in offseason so they may have some chemistry or Hall can take him under his wing.

What about switching the Centers? Hischier is capable of running a line without Hall (I think he looked better without Hall). Hughestrains with Hall in offseason so they may have some chemistry or Hall can take him under his wing.
- Devils622

I think they will want to shelter Hughes a little bit at least at the start and see how the season progresses

What about switching the Centers? Hischier is capable of running a line without Hall (I think he looked better without Hall). Hughestrains with Hall in offseason so they may have some chemistry or Hall can take him under his wing.
- Devils622

Hall gives us lots of flexablility. He could notch 80 points this season with Zacha and Hayden on his line. He is one of the best play-drivers in the game, and really doesn't require a ton of talent. Just guys who can keep up with his outside rush's.
I am not saying to put hall on the 3rd line tho! He needs top minutes

I think they will want to shelter Hughes a little bit at least at the start and see how the season progresses
- dmarsden2988

Hynes already said the plans for Jack, which is the same as Nico. Hes gonna give him specific minutes and its up to Jack to show he can handle then he'll get more and more. Same thing Nico did but Nico pretty much showed right away he can handle it.

I think they will want to shelter Hughes a little bit at least at the start and see how the season progresses
- dmarsden2988

Nothing shelters a player like skating with the league MVP!

I expect things to get spread things out differently if Boqvist makes the team.

Ultimately it all comes down to how quickly the first guy gets hurt. That (unfortunately) fixes most log jams.

What about switching the Centers? Hischier is capable of running a line without Hall (I think he looked better without Hall). Hughestrains with Hall in offseason so they may have some chemistry or Hall can take him under his wing.

Agreed, i think it has to be worth a look early on to try something like

Goose - N1co- Palms

TayTay - HughesNetGen4 - DaBratt

Boqvist - Pavs - Colemonster

James Franco - Baejac - Wayne Train

Gives Grit, speed, "Size", skill and a playmaker or 2 on every line..
Obviously the top 2 lines could switch places. But shelter Hughes a bit while adding a superstar on his wing and a very capable scorer in Bratt. While we know N1co can run his own line, chemistry already with Palms and a potentially elite playmaker in goose

That top 6 has scary potential... the speed is going to make Nj ridiculously fun to watch next season and into the future.
- OzBolts

It'll be interesting. Outside of battling along the boards this team should be moving the puck a lot. I'd expect great plays off the rush but they probably won't hold a lot of zone pressure.

I think that Kevin Rooney is being overlooked here....he was pretty solid for this team last year and could crack the Opening Day line-up. If Zacha doesn't improve he can find himself in the Suites while Rooney helps this team to win.

Obviously as Pens fan I have disdain for any team in the Metro and there's definitely a tense history between the Devils and Pens, but I have to say I'm eager to see you guys play. The Devils are going to be one of the more fun teams to watch going forward and possibly fighting for one of the top spots in the Metro.

Even though TOR got built up fast around Matthews and Marner, I think when you look at TOR or EDM, Shero has set the Devils up for the Hughes era better than the other teams.

Who's going to be your 3C? I forget as to whether or not Zajac played more wing than center as of late.

I think that Kevin Rooney is being overlooked here....he was pretty solid for this team last year and could crack the Opening Day line-up. If Zacha doesn't improve he can find himself in the Suites while Rooney helps this team to win.
- devs23jp

IF the Devils don't keep Boqvist then Rooney, Bastian and Hayden (among a few others) will be fighting for a fourth line spot. But Rooney (or anyone else) isn't taking Zacha's spot.

Obviously as Pens fan I have disdain for any team in the Metro and there's definitely a tense history between the Devils and Pens, but I have to say I'm eager to see you guys play. The Devils are going to be one of the more fun teams to watch going forward and possibly fighting for one of the top spots in the Metro.

Even though TOR got built up fast around Matthews and Marner, I think when you look at TOR or EDM, Shero has set the Devils up for the Hughes era better than the other teams.

Who's going to be your 3C? I forget as to whether or not Zajac played more wing than center as of late.
- Rinosaur

Zacha has definitely played more center then wing but who knows what's going on moving forward with him. I still expect him and Zajac to be the teams 3C and 4C assuming Hughes can take the 2C spot. An assumption we've all been making since before the draft but maybe he gets more sheltered to start.

I think that Kevin Rooney is being overlooked here....he was pretty solid for this team last year and could crack the Opening Day line-up. If Zacha doesn't improve he can find himself in the Suites while Rooney helps this team to win.
- devs23jp

Nope! With all the AHL talent in our lineup last season, he failed to step up and earn a spot. Now we actually have NHL talent throughout our lineup. No chance he can crack the roster after he put up 1 goal in 38 AHL games in Bing. Factor in our plethora of LW's, some of which will play RW just to stay in the lineup, and Rooney is now irrelevant.

Zacha has definitely played more center then wing but who knows what's going on moving forward with him.
- Queenie_5_hole

It seems like he's been a bit of a bust, no? Not that he needs to to live up to 6th overall to be a good 3C.

Devs30....quotes not working

I believe they said that if boqvist doesn't make the team he will go back to Sweden, so will be interesting to see what happens with him

We can always go the PTO route with Stafford again!
- dmarsden2988

Really have high hopes for boqvist. Even if he turns out to be something similar to bratt, that's a high end 2nd/3rd liner capable of playing fluidly throughout the lineup.
Bing now has some solid depth, something that hasn't been the case in well, forever.

It seems like he's been a bit of a bust, no? Not that he needs to to live up to 6th overall to be a good 3C.
- Rinosaur

A lot of folks feel that way but I'm not calling him that. He's disappointing for a 6th overall but he's clearly has skill. I'm not expecting him to become a huge scorer but I believe he's a legit NHL talent and will improve this year. He's just turned 22 and some guys take a little longer. That's what she said.

Lots of x factors with this team. Its like half the lineup is a risk; a low risk/moderate-high reward, but still not a guarantee. This of course begins with Gusev, continues with Bratt, Simmonds, Zacha, even Coleman and Wood; not to mention Boqvist, or whoever earns that final spot. Then theres how good Hughes will be. The defense we at least know we have guys that can play.. just a matter of pairings and if Smith can be epic in his 1st year, or just another young developing dman.

A lot of folks feel that way but I'm not calling him that. He's disappointing for a 6th overall but he's clearly has skill. I'm not expecting him to become a huge scorer but I believe he's a legit NHL talent and will improve this year. He's just turned 22 and some guys take a little longer. That's what she said.
- Queenie_5_hole

HA!

I mean look, if any drafted player becomes and NHL regular for a team it's a win no matter what round they're drafted in. If he can become a solid 3C for you guys it's a win considering that's a big hole for many teams in the NHL.

Lots of x factors with this team. Its like half the lineup is a risk; a low risk/moderate-high reward, but still not a guarantee. This of course begins with Gusev, continues with Bratt, Simmonds, Zacha, even Coleman and Wood; not to mention Boqvist, or whoever earns that final spot. Then theres how good Hughes will be. The defense we at least know we have guys that can play.. just a matter of pairings and if Smith can be epic in his 1st year, or just another young developing dman.
- MartysBetter88

You guys will definitely be one of the more fun teams to watch, but I agree with all of this. Many x-factors. IMO if you guys still miss the playoffs this year, next year will be a big leap forward.

The Metro in general has so many x-factors.
-Will the Isles be the same without Lehner?
-Are the Pens pretty much a bubble team now?
-Have the Ranger and Flyers made enough strides to fight for a playoff spot?
-Does CBJ fall of the map?