Todd Cordell: On Boqvist's strong camp, Mueller's struggles, and final cuts

Todd Cordell: On Boqvist's strong camp, Mueller's struggles, and final cuts
- Todd.Cordell

Mueller stinks. I don't care what metric makes him look like a competent defender. The guy is absolutely brutal with the puck. He's hung around this long because of what they gave up, but Shero flat out blew this deal.

Practice lines minus palms with a lower body injury day to day

Hall hischier bratt
Gusev Hughes Simmonds
Boqvist zajac Coleman
Wood Rooney Hayden
McLeod bastian

Greene subban
Vatanen severson
Tennyson butcher
Smith

Practice lines minus palms with a lower body injury day to day

Hall hischier bratt
Gusev Hughes Simmonds
Boqvist zajac Coleman
Wood Rooney Hayden
McLeod bastian

Greene subban
Vatanen severson
Tennyson butcher
Smith
- dmarsden2988

Does that mean Tennyson is doing better than Smith in management's eyes? Ouch

Mueller stinks. I don't care what metric makes him look like a competent defender. The guy is absolutely brutal with the puck. He's hung around this long because of what they gave up, but Shero flat out blew this deal.
- jersey1414

Its kind of ridiculous to say Shero blew it when he only gave up a mid 2nd round pick and very late 4th round pick. This acquisition was always a no-risk, high reward scenario. Shero took a flyer on a guy that was a former first round pick, who was struggling to break into a very competitive roster. Defenseman always take longer to develop, which is why you give them extra room. Based on what the Devils gave up, it was a no brainer of a deal, and one any competent GM would do every time.

44% of second rounders become an NHL player. 20% of 4th round picks become an NHLer. They did not give up much of anything. And to date, none of the guys taken around the spots where the Devils would have picked have cracked an NHL roster yet. So if he gave up nothing and got nothing, how is that a problem (even though I still wouldn't label Mueller as a lost cause just yet).

Does that mean Tennyson is doing better than Smith in management's eyes? Ouch
- willschulme

As I am in England with a 5hr time difference i have caught the first period of games and watched highlights but from what I have heard is that smith hasn't been as effective as last year's camp and while hasn't been a disaster he hasn't been great either

He needs time against NHL competition and confidence to develop so we shall see

From what I have seen Tennyson has looked pretty steady, nothing flashy just steady

Boqvist zajac Coleman its been a long time since we had a third line that strong

The top two lines on this team with a solid first pair and good goaltending will take them a long way. They are young and hungry.the only thing I see derailing the playoffs is if there are significant injuries.

Point just signed with the bolts 3yrs 6.75

Thought he wanted much more than that

Its kind of ridiculous to say Shero blew it when he only gave up a mid 2nd round pick and very late 4th round pick. This acquisition was always a no-risk, high reward scenario. Shero took a flyer on a guy that was a former first round pick, who was struggling to break into a very competitive roster. Defenseman always take longer to develop, which is why you give them extra room. Based on what the Devils gave up, it was a no brainer of a deal, and one any competent GM would do every time.

44% of second rounders become an NHL player. 20% of 4th round picks become an NHLer. They did not give up much of anything. And to date, none of the guys taken around the spots where the Devils would have picked have cracked an NHL roster yet. So if he gave up nothing and got nothing, how is that a problem (even though I still wouldn't label Mueller as a lost cause just yet).
- robvl22

I'm not berating Shero for the move, but in hindsight he lost the deal. Period. I get the stats that support your claim, but they couldn't move those assets for something better? Shero's trade record is still solid but I'm sure he wants this one back.

Its kind of ridiculous to say Shero blew it when he only gave up a mid 2nd round pick and very late 4th round pick. This acquisition was always a no-risk, high reward scenario. Shero took a flyer on a guy that was a former first round pick, who was struggling to break into a very competitive roster. Defenseman always take longer to develop, which is why you give them extra room. Based on what the Devils gave up, it was a no brainer of a deal, and one any competent GM would do every time.

44% of second rounders become an NHL player. 20% of 4th round picks become an NHLer. They did not give up much of anything. And to date, none of the guys taken around the spots where the Devils would have picked have cracked an NHL roster yet. So if he gave up nothing and got nothing, how is that a problem (even though I still wouldn't label Mueller as a lost cause just yet).
- robvl22

IDK what to think about Mueller. He was serviceable last year and looks lost this preseason. He might become serviceable again but I doubt he improves any more.... maybe if we get him out of Nesreddine's system.

Scott Stevens where are you?

Point just signed with the bolts 3yrs 6.75

Thought he wanted much more than that
- dmarsden2988

I think he did but not playing for a year isn't going to get him anywhere.

I think he did but not playing for a year isn't going to get him anywhere.
- Pomegrant

True but considering that marner just got a brinks truck I figured point even with the taxes and all would be closer to that than 6.75, would have thought at least 8

Hughes is next to halls locker, apparently halls request

To my eye, Boqvist absolutely deserves to be on the team.

While it might seem like a problem because there is no room in the top 6, it's really not an issue. It'll take no time for somebody to get hurt and then we'll be asking a bottom 6 guy to play up.

Also, I think this team has a shot at putting together a dangerous 3rd line. Not like the 1A and 1B lines but something that can legit provide some real secondary scoring. A dangerous player like Boqvist can help provide that threat.

Todd Cordell: On Boqvist's strong camp, Mueller's struggles, and final cuts
- Todd.Cordell

Don't have much to add on the Devils pre-season, but just continue the trend of beating the Rangers all season. Thank you.

Tweet from Mike morreale
Hynes on smith-has work to do, needs to work on defense in front of the net, finishing plays defensively, ending plays, more urgency, moving his feet, play away from the puck and moving the puck up

Seems like smith has a lot to work on

There was a stretch of like maybe 10 games where it looked like Mueller was coming into form then he just went right back to sucking. Ive thought that since the moment Carrick arrived he was the better dman.

Have been to busy following all the big pieces this off season so I havent noticed this pre season, but last year when Carrick arrived I thought he was physical and made smart quick plays and seem to get a few shots off from the point (which last year I felt none of our D did that well). He also got into a tilt defending the front of our net.

To me he has to be in the line up over Mueller just on what he brings every day.

There was a stretch of like maybe 10 games where it looked like Mueller was coming into form then he just went right back to sucking. Ive thought that since the moment Carrick arrived he was the better dman.

Have been to busy following all the big pieces this off season so I havent noticed this pre season, but last year when Carrick arrived I thought he was physical and made smart quick plays and seem to get a few shots off from the point (which last year I felt none of our D did that well). He also got into a tilt defending the front of our net.

To me he has to be in the line up over Mueller just on what he brings every day.
- Devilish4

Carrick is a RD and Mueller is LD, so they aren't exactly playing for the same spot, but it seems the coaching staff feels more comfortable with Carrick.

IMO, Carrick's defense just isn't that solid but he can move the puck well and has a good shot. Mueller is probably a better defender but he isn't aggressive, passes poorly and throws the puck away a lot.

What is worse...

Hughes season ending injury

Hall not resigning

What is worse...

Hughes season ending injury

Hall not resigning
- Leniwm1

Rangers winning the cup. That's the worst.

Tweet from Mike morreale
Hynes on smith-has work to do, needs to work on defense in front of the net, finishing plays defensively, ending plays, more urgency, moving his feet, play away from the puck and moving the puck up

Seems like smith has a lot to work on
- dmarsden2988

Sounds like it. Looked like it also from watching the games... I prefer Carrick over Mueller if Ty is not ready for sure.

True but considering that marner just got a brinks truck I figured point even with the taxes and all would be closer to that than 6.75, would have thought at least 8
- dmarsden2988

I agree. Lets hope this can set a precedent for the Devs. Either a similar 3 year deal on Hischier with RFA rights following that, or an 8 year deal around 7M AAV per. And 41 Goals and 51 Assists is better than anything Hall has done for the Devs. Maybe this can leverage him towards 9-10M AAV area. It would be ideal to have this done before the next cap hit is revealed. Rumors of a big raise in cap will do no good if we keep waiting.

Sounds like it. Looked like it also from watching the games... I prefer Carrick over Mueller if Ty is not ready for sure.
- TRDevil

Sounds like Smith needs to learn his position...

I agree. Lets hope this can set a precedent for the Devs. Either a similar 3 year deal on Hischier with RFA rights following that, or an 8 year deal around 7M AAV per. And 41 Goals and 51 Assists is better than anything Hall has done for the Devs. Maybe this can leverage him towards 9-10M AAV area. It would be ideal to have this done before the next cap hit is revealed. Rumors of a big raise in cap will do no good if we keep waiting.
- bikeguy99

Hall 10.75 mil over 7 (the 8th year will be around 7 to drop the cap a bit)
Nico 9.75 mil over 8