Todd Cordell: Canadiens 4, Devils 3: Unacceptable yet expected

I was so disgusted I abandoned my Kovalchuck Jersey in the parking lot on Halsey Street in Newark.

I get we were defensively short handed but holy cow did Will Butcher stink up the joint. I don't know how he ended the game even +/- because it didn't look good at all.

If this team moves Palmeri and Coleman they will be utterly unwatchable.

Bratt's goal was awesome. The best part was his expression sort of embarrassed and laughing about it.

Keep Coleman and Palmieri. Fire ALL 6-8 defenseman into the sun. This D needs fresh faces.

They hadn't blown a big lead like that in a while, felt like old times.

I'm happy that people seem to be coming around to the fact that Butcher is not a core piece of this team long term. He was bright offensively his first year, then his totals dropped last year on only slightly improved defensive play, and this year both parts of his game have completely fallen off the table. He can not be part of the top 4, and barely qualifies for the top six, on a good team. He is one of many in this group that Shero and Hynes clearly misevaluated. They need to move him before other teams catch on.

yup yup yup

keep Severson. the rest can go. we'll get something nice for Vatanen and sign an equally mediocre dman in his place, instead of adding one in addition to Vats, to maybe make us a little less bad.

but it's whatever. all a wash. gimme those top 5 picks.

So full blow it up dream list here

Vats and Coleman to Dallas for Tufte, sekera and a first with a conditional 3rd if they make the scf it becomes next years 1st.

Wood to Calgary for Bennett and a first with intentions of sending him to the minors or buying out

Palms to Pitt for Galchenyuk, Poulin and a 1st

Simmonds to Boston for a 4th

Greene to nyi for a 3rd

They are already unwatchable. Their drafting has been less than optimal, barring winning the lottery. I am starting to reach the breaking point.

Fitz either does something dramatic to improve the fortunes of the franchise or he should be gone as well. The status quo is unacceptable.

Keep Coleman and Palmieri. Fire ALL 6-8 defenseman into the sun. This D needs fresh faces.
- devilspep

I love them both but I’m starting to come around to trading everyone for assists and picks.

Rmdevil made a comment in the last blog and I’ve been pondering it all day. Would it be detrimental to the kids, bratt, Hughes, boqvist etc or would it help them? I can see it being terrible but then I can see it not being so terrible.

They are already unwatchable. Their drafting has been less than optimal, barring winning the lottery. I am starting to reach the breaking point.

Fitz either does something dramatic to improve the fortunes of the franchise or he should be gone as well. The status quo is unacceptable.
- redmonsters

Shero has always been poop in the draft unless he has a top pick. Ty Smith looks good but other than that it has been rough.

I love them both but I’m starting to come around to trading everyone for assists and picks.

Rmdevil made a comment in the last blog and I’ve been pondering it all day. Would it be detrimental to the kids, bratt, Hughes, boqvist etc or would it help them? I can see it being terrible but then I can see it not being so terrible.
- shvingter88

You trade Coleman and Palms and you'll be left with Zajac as the ONLY "veteran" NHL forward. Miles Wood will be 25.. Gusev will be 28. Every other signed forward is 22 and under lol.

so.. Zajac and a team of kids + Gusev and Wood. I'd rather have Coleman and Palmieri with them.

So full blow it up dream list here

Vats and Coleman to Dallas for Tufte, sekera and a first with a conditional 3rd if they make the scf it becomes next years 1st.

Wood to Calgary for Bennett and a first with intentions of sending him to the minors or buying out

Palms to Pitt for Galchenyuk, Poulin and a 1st

Simmonds to Boston for a 4th

Greene to nyi for a 3rd
- shvingter88

Who's Tufte? The Dallas pick might be useful at 15-20.
Galch stinks, who's Poulin? The 1st will be late 20s.. meh.
I'd be thrilled with 3rd and 4ths for Greene and Simmonds.

Shero has always been poop in the draft unless he has a top pick. Ty Smith looks good but other than that it has been rough.
- shvingter88

^100%.

You trade Coleman and Palms and you'll be left with Zajac as the ONLY "veteran" NHL forward. Miles Wood will be 25.. Gusev will be 28. Every other signed forward is 22 and under lol.

so.. Zajac and a team of kids + Gusev and Wood. I'd rather have Coleman and Palmieri with them.
- MartysBetter88

Zajac has said he’s not waiving his ntc

You trade Coleman and Palms and you'll be left with Zajac as the ONLY "veteran" NHL forward. Miles Wood will be 25.. Gusev will be 28. Every other signed forward is 22 and under lol.

so.. Zajac and a team of kids + Gusev and Wood. I'd rather have Coleman and Palmieri with them.
- MartysBetter88

We are going to finish bottom 3 with them, so I forsee no problem without them, especially when considering cost and age. But no problem if they stick around and signed to team friendly contracts.

Who's Tufte? The Dallas pick might be useful at 15-20.
Galch stinks, who's Poulin? The 1st will be late 20s.. meh.
I'd be thrilled with 3rd and 4ths for Greene and Simmonds.
- MartysBetter88

Tufte is a big power forward with offensive potential

Poulin is Patrick Poulins kid. 2way player with offensive upside and he shoots a (frank) load

I would think Dallas would be much better with Coleman and vats bringing that pick to the 20’s

We are going to finish bottom 3 with them, so I forsee no problem without them, especially when considering cost and age. But no problem if they stick around and signed to team friendly contracts.
- redmonsters

Totes

We are going to finish bottom 3 with them, so I forsee no problem without them, especially when considering cost and age. But no problem if they stick around and signed to team friendly contracts.
- redmonsters

I just think if you're going to have veterans on the team, Coleman and Palmieri would be great for the development of the kids, because they're competent NHL player, they play hard every shift, and they're not ancient- meaning they can still connect with the kids and be effective on the ice. I think it benefits the other several players under 22 that will be on the team next year, plus Gusev. .. even if we have another losing season. Development.

I just think if you're going to have veterans on the team, Coleman and Palmieri would be great for the development of the kids, because they're competent NHL player, they play hard every shift, and they're not ancient- meaning they can still connect with the kids and be effective on the ice. I think it benefits the other several players under 22 that will be on the team next year, plus Gusev. .. even if we have another losing season. Development.
- MartysBetter88

I hear/understand your point of view. It's a balance of trade return versus continuity. I think the trade return for them could be big however, and as I noted above Fitz needs to make his reputation with the limited time he may have. Status quo does nothing to enhance his position, which is why I expect something big will be done.

Butcher sucks... Anyone pay attention to a late PP, Butcher coming up with the puck and could have easily skated it in, but he was so wired to do that stupid drop pass play he swings around and messes up. This dude is a joke.

So full blow it up dream list here

Vats and Coleman to Dallas for Tufte, sekera and a first with a conditional 3rd if they make the scf it becomes next years 1st.

Wood to Calgary for Bennett and a first with intentions of sending him to the minors or buying out

Palms to Pitt for Galchenyuk, Poulin and a 1st

Simmonds to Boston for a 4th

Greene to nyi for a 3rd
- shvingter88

I hate to admit it but I would do all these trades ( I would love to switch Tufte for either Dellandrea or Robertson though)....love Poulin and with these trades we will have tons of picks either for the draft or trade in the off-season for players. As for veterans on this team and only having Subban and Zajac as others mentioned, the Devils have tons of cap space and could bring in "veteran" players in free-agency if they feel they need them. I guess I'm in the "blow it up" club and feel this teams needs a lot more talent to compete.

I hate to admit it but I would do all these trades ( I would love to switch Tufte for either Dellandrea or Robertson though)....love Poulin and with these trades we will have tons of picks either for the draft or trade in the off-season for players. As for veterans on this team and only having Subban and Zajac as others mentioned, the Devils have tons of cap space and could bring in "veteran" players in free-agency if they feel they need them. I guess I'm in the "blow it up" club and feel this teams needs a lot more talent to compete.
- Gambi99

Can't argue with this.

For the right return I'd move anyone on this team not named Nico or Jack... But this team needs to get some NHL talent back and not just picks. They also need to get something done in free agency of consequence.

Can't argue with this.

For the right return I'd move anyone on this team not named Nico or Jack... But this team needs to get some NHL talent back and not just picks. They also need to get something done in free agency of consequence.
- Queenie_5_hole

Agreed, but you also highlight a problem, when has NJ ever made a splash in free agency? It's not the dollars, FA just do not make this one of their top 10 choices....

Agreed, but you also highlight a problem, when has NJ ever made a splash in free agency? It's not the dollars, FA just do not make this one of their top 10 choices....
- redmonsters

Kovy was the biggest fa they’ve signed and arguably one of the best fa ever signed by any team

Instead of signing Vets like Green and Zajac to long term contracts with minimal offensive contribution we can keep Vets like Coleman and Palmieri that can do it all. These are the guys you try to keep. There's a long list of other bums to drop before trading them for late first round picks unlikely to match their contributions.

I love them both but I’m starting to come around to trading everyone for assists and picks.

Rmdevil made a comment in the last blog and I’ve been pondering it all day. Would it be detrimental to the kids, bratt, Hughes, boqvist etc or would it help them? I can see it being terrible but then I can see it not being so terrible.
- shvingter88

The way I see it, this team whether they blow it up or not will still need veterans. So why not keep the right ones this time.