Todd Cordell: New Jersey Devils 2019-20 player profile: Sami Vatanen

I get the feeling Hynes/Nesreddine prefer Vats over Severson; but I have no idea how they are going to build out this defense once we get past PK on the top line.

I'm throwing out last year and waiting to see how Vats does now; but I think he's going to be trade bait.

I get the feeling Hynes/Nesreddine prefer Vats over Severson; but I have no idea how they are going to build out this defense once we get past PK on the top line.

I'm throwing out last year and waiting to see how Vats does now; but I think he's going to be trade bait.
- Queenie_5_hole

I think so too. We have Walsh, Davies waiting in the wings.. But you never know. I wonder if Vats instead of playing a 2 way game, focused on just heavy D.. You think he'd be better not having to worry about puck carryng and stuff?

I think so too. We have Walsh, Davies waiting in the wings.. But you never know. I wonder if Vats instead of playing a 2 way game, focused on just heavy D.. You think he'd be better not having to worry about puck carryng and stuff?
- Leniwm1

We traded Davies in the Subban deal

We traded Davies in the Subban deal
- dcetlin

OOOOhhh. Well, ok than.

Right now we have:

LD: Greene, Butcher, Mueller, Smith
RD: Subban, Vats, Severson, Carrick

Vats (and Severson) can play LD also.

I just saw that Carrick video, that is the type of human you want as a devil. what a good guy.

I just saw that Carrick video, that is the type of human you want as a devil. what a good guy.
- Leniwm1

Likeable guy but If he's going to have a NHL career he's got to fight his way into the lineup this year. Won't be easy with who we have ahead of him, but you never know how things play out on the ice.

I don't see Vatanen being used above the 3rd line without injuries happening. Severson is better and will be a part of this team for years to come. Vatanen will be traded at the deadline. I don't think he's going to get us much either. Maybe a 3rd round pick.

This defense, at least at first, is going to start out like...

Butcher-Subban
Greene-Severson
Smith-Vatanen

Its also really nice having guys like Mueller and Carrick ready to fill holes if injuries hit.

I don't see Vatanen being used above the 3rd line without injuries happening. Severson is better and will be a part of this team for years to come. Vatanen will be traded at the deadline. I don't think he's going to get us much either. Maybe a 3rd round pick.

This defense, at least at first, is going to start out like...

Butcher-Subban
Greene-Severson
Smith-Vatanen

Its also really nice having guys like Mueller and Carrick ready to fill holes if injuries hit.
- jtylerm

Those will probably be the pairs. Not sure how much value Vatanen will have at the deadline. It's not like he's dirt cheap for a playoff-bound team with high cap, coming in at 4.75. If he's just an OK dman, what's he really going to bring back to us at the deadline? A 4th? 3rd maybe?? And if we're in a playoff spot, I might want to keep him on that 3rd pair anyway.

Those will probably be the pairs. Not sure how much value Vatanen will have at the deadline. It's not like he's dirt cheap for a playoff-bound team with high cap, coming in at 4.75. If he's just an OK dman, what's he really going to bring back to us at the deadline? A 4th? 3rd maybe?? And if we're in a playoff spot, I might want to keep him on that 3rd pair anyway.
- MartysBetter88

Wont his cap get adjusted? Like the new team wont have the 4.75 because most got paid already? Did I make that up?

Wont his cap get adjusted? Like the new team wont have the 4.75 because most got paid already? Did I make that up?
- Leniwm1

The cap hit doesn't matter as Shero could retain salary. Probably like 50% max but I'm not sure what the rule is. He can also take back a poopty asset to reduce the trade partners team payroll so there are options.

Vats was a pretty well regarded defender when we traded for him and IF we give him some decent minutes he could regain his form and value.

We traded Ben Lovejoy for a 3rd (80th overall pick Graeme Clarke) and a player (Connor Carrick) so I think you guys are way undervaluing Sami.

Just for fun: https://www.bing.com/vide...7FCD9966C279F6D&FORM=VIRE

The cap hit doesn't matter as Shero could retain salary. Probably like 50% max but I'm not sure what the rule is. He can also take back a poopty asset to reduce the trade partners team payroll so there are options.

Vats was a pretty well regarded defender when we traded for him and IF we give him some decent minutes he could regain his form and value.

We traded Ben Lovejoy for a 3rd (80th overall pick Graeme Clarke) and a player (Connor Carrick) so I think you guys are way undervaluing Sami.
- Queenie_5_hole

that's right I forgot. a little dense today. work is nutty.

that's right I forgot. a little dense today. work is nutty.
- MartysBetter88

Check out the video link.. I just added it.

Check out the video link.. I just added it.
- Queenie_5_hole

sweet move. painful sweaters.

sweet move. painful sweaters.
- MartysBetter88

It's funny because it's true....

that's right I forgot. a little dense today. work is nutty.
- MartysBetter88

You work with squirrels?

You work with squirrels?
- Leniwm1

hahaha

I just saw that Carrick video, that is the type of human you want as a devil. what a good guy.
- Leniwm1

I’m still puzzled as to how we got him as a throw in on the Lovejoy trade.

I’m still puzzled as to how we got him as a throw in on the Lovejoy trade.
- smellmyfinger

Ask Shero, our hero!

We got a nice depth defender and a decent pick now prospect for a guy who can’t get a job in this league a few months after we traded him.

Does anyone really think we can resign him after this year?...Cant help but think some other team would over pay to get him considering the value of D...We have a ton of cap that is bound to get swallowed up with Hughes Nico and Hall(If he ever resigns that is)...Thats what makes the Hall situation even more important to figure out because he could indirectly affect extending Sami which would suck cause I think he would really anchor our D along side Butcher, PK, Severson and Ty Smith..we would be set for 3 years to come...Carrick looked strong last year and could have a great shot of replacing Andy in 2020...I hope we get this Taylor Hall situation figured out because it clearly shapes everything we need to figure out over next 3 years!

Does anyone really think we can resign him after this year?...Cant help but think some other team would over pay to get him considering the value of D...We have a ton of cap that is bound to get swallowed up with Hughes Nico and Hall(If he ever resigns that is)...Thats what makes the Hall situation even more important to figure out because he could indirectly affect extending Sami which would suck cause I think he would really anchor our D along side Butcher, PK, Severson and Ty Smith..we would be set for 3 years to come...Carrick looked strong last year and could have a great shot of replacing Andy in 2020...I hope we get this Taylor Hall situation figured out because it clearly shapes everything we need to figure out over next 3 years!
- RussH1964

He may not be worth re-signing. He had a pretty bad year, and if he has another, what's his value? He hasn't much of a net front presence and he isn't generating much offence.

He may not be worth re-signing. He had a pretty bad year, and if he has another, what's his value? He hasn't much of a net front presence and he isn't generating much offence.
- archromat

I agree, if he has another bad year chances are he could be on decline already, so no point on singing him.

https://www.tsn.ca/the-pe...-into-their-30s-1.1351451

Nice article regarding signing players in their 30s and the downside of it and signing them based off past performance.

I just saw that Carrick video, that is the type of human you want as a devil. what a good guy.
- Leniwm1

On the devils site?

Vats and Hall are going to be on a wait and see for a little while. Shero will figure it out. Vats should rebound. It was a train wreck year for a lot of guys and he was hurt. He's 28 and has some good hockey left in him.

I'm guessing we trade Vats. Hall will depend on what Hall decides he wants.
If he ain't signing we trade him too.