Todd Cordell: G28 New Jersey Devils vs Chicago Blackhawks: Jack Hughes returns

God forbid Hughes comes back with an ounce of confidence, let’s give him minimal ice time playing with the biggest defensive liabilities and then wonder why they’re bleeding goals.

I have nothing against Nesreddine personally but I don’t have faith in him because the D has been bad. That said I’d be thrilled if he could get this team playing some brand of hockey that looks respectable.

Winnipeg list Trouba, Meyer’s, and Byfuglien and has still let up 21 fewer goals then us while playing more games. Granted they have great goaltending. Just saying.

3-1 Blackhawks

I like these lines, but players have to play.
Let’s go Devils!

Realistically, our lines would eventually look like this.

Boqvist-Hischier-Palmieri
Coleman-Zajac-Gusev
Zacha-Hughes-Bratt
Seney-Rooney-Hayden

and it just is what it is. I can't even say that lineup will yield significantly worse results than what we've been putting out.. since what we've been putting out has resulted in us being awful. So.. it's a draw. Let Bastian and McLeod get their minutes in the A. We should see one of them next year. Seney getting time at least is a good thing. Boqvist getting time is a great thing. That 3rd line COULD be very good if they play responsible hockey.

@Account4hockey
Elliotte Friedman on CHED630: ARI one of the teams really pushing for Taylor Hall, some people say MTL is really in, others say they're not, doesn't think COL will give up Girard in a Hall deal, Bowen Byram's name will come up, but he's not sure Sakic will give him up.

I don't know much about Arizona's prospect pool. MTL has Suzuki and an under-performing Kotkaniemi plus some other interesting prospects available.

I don't know much about Arizona's prospect pool. MTL has Suzuki and an under-performing Kotkaniemi plus some other interesting prospects available.
- Pomegrant

I think Byram is our best case. Thats not to say it cant happen. I would be interested in Cole Caulfield from mtl.

Horrible line partners for Hughes. He needs someone that can bury his passes. He needs a Palms, Hall, or even Gusev.

I think Byram is our best case. Thats not to say it cant happen. I would be interested in Cole Caulfield from mtl.
- Devilish4

Maybe MTL can't match in terms of prospect level, but they might be able to make it up in quality of picks. So it might not be necessarily worse.

The sooner it happens the sooner the team can move forward.

Horrible line partners for Hughes. He needs someone that can bury his passes. He needs a Palms, Hall, or even Gusev.
- Velcro300

Neither of those guys are going to be particularly good at getting the puck to him either.

Official line combos haven't been released yet.

I don't know much about Arizona's prospect pool. MTL has Suzuki and an under-performing Kotkaniemi plus some other interesting prospects available.
- Pomegrant

Why would we want Sukuki as he’s a 2nd line center? We need some depth on the wing or defense IMO

If it's MTL, it probably is related to Caufield. They won't trade Poehling. Maybe Drouin but I want him less.

I can't imagine who it would be from Arizona. Chychrun? Soderstrom?

I feel like we need a solid defensive prospect back from whoever we trade Hall too, obviously adding more or less depending on the grade of the prospect. And i doubt many of the teams will be willing to subtract from their roster. So of teams involved who could we potentially get?

Of the teams ive seen rumored to have interest, i'd assume one of:
Aves: Doubt Byram, so Timmins?
Yotes: Soderstrom?
Bruins: Vaakanainen or Zboril?
Preds: Fabbro?
Habs: Brook?
Oilers: Doubt Bouchard, so one of Broberg/Jones/Bear?
Stars/Blues: ?? They dont really have a top prospect D

I'd prefer to get one of these guys that are a lefty, but most of these guys would be a decent add for the future of our blueline

I can't imagine who it would be from Arizona. Chychrun? Soderstrom?
- willschulme

It’ll be Phil Kessel and a coupon for 60% off a bottle of Hawaiian Tropic Sunscreen.

Its entirely possible Shero is working on getting Hall to a playoff team for a run and in return perhaps Hall could be back in the summer.

Just a thought, you never know...

Its entirely possible Shero is working on getting Hall to a playoff team for a run and in return perhaps Hall could be back in the summer.

Just a thought, you never know...
- Leniwm1

Nah nobody is gonna trade for him without an extension

It’ll be Phil Kessel and a coupon for 60% off a bottle of Hawaiian Tropic Sunscreen.
- Queenie_5_hole

Deal

@NJDevils
Center Nico Hischier (illness) will not play tonight.

@amandacstein
#NJDevils Jack Hughes will take Hischier’s spot on the top line with Hall and Palmieri.

Nico out sick.

Nah nobody is gonna trade for him without an extension
- willschulme

which is why I'm iffy on Colorado. I'mmm not sure how they'd realistically be able to swing signing him with that squad. Makar and a goalie won't total 4mil forever.. and they have a bunchhh of other positions to fill and cheaper players to re-sign. Maybe we can take Erik Johnson's 6mil salary back? .. unless they think he's a piece of their puzzle. He'd poop on our parade for the next 3 years tho ..

which is why I'm iffy on Colorado. I'mmm not sure how they'd realistically be able to swing signing him with that squad. Makar and a goalie won't total 4mil forever.. and they have a bunchhh of other positions to fill and cheaper players to re-sign. Maybe we can take Erik Johnson's 6mil salary back? .. unless they think he's a piece of their puzzle. He'd poop on our parade for the next 3 years tho ..
- MartysBetter88

Johnson is definitely a piece of their puzzle, he's still a quality NHL defender when healthy. This is what will make it tough to trade with Colorado. They have some big contracts, but those contracts aren't bad contracts. Can't see how they make the room to get Hall extended.

Johnson is definitely a piece of their puzzle, he's still a quality NHL defender when healthy. This is what will make it tough to trade with Colorado. They have some big contracts, but those contracts aren't bad contracts. Can't see how they make the room to get Hall extended.
- smellmyfinger

Exactly. Montreal doesn't have cap issues and a decent prospect pool to make trades with. There just aren't that many teams that have space in the future to fit Hall.

Johnson is definitely a piece of their puzzle, he's still a quality NHL defender when healthy. This is what will make it tough to trade with Colorado. They have some big contracts, but those contracts aren't bad contracts. Can't see how they make the room to get Hall extended.
- smellmyfinger

gotcha. I couldn't remember if he was in decline or not.