Todd Cordell: Devils 3, Kings 0: Blackwood perfect again

It was a good game to watch in person if you're a Devils fan. I had high hopes since LA also isn't very good and Blackwood and the whole team delivered.

And I second unless someone offers something ridiculous for Coleman, try to keep him at all costs.

Thanks Todd, great article, great game.

Amazing what happens when nico is gone

What from the Oilers would it take to acquire Coleman from your perspectives?

What from the Oilers would it take to acquire Coleman from your perspectives?
- MaximumBone

Well I would want a first plus possibly Pulj. But I like to dream big.

What from the Oilers would it take to acquire Coleman from your perspectives?
- MaximumBone

McJesus & Leon could get the conversation started

Todd Cordell: Devils 3, Kings 0: Blackwood perfect again
- Todd.Cordell

Bang on Todd. I've mentioned trading Coleman plenty. I think trading the guy is ideal. We could retain 50%, and make the guy a 900k player next season. Thats got to be worth something serious (1st rd pick?). And as you said, he was a fringe NHL'er just a couple years ago. I don't see the point keeping him to the point where he becomes a 30 year old UFA. Buy low, sell high. With Bratt and Boq both able to step up their game, why not continue the rebuild.

And can we please sit Blackwood the rest of the season. He has my backing as next years starter, and all he is doing is killing our lottery odds. Lets close this out with Schneids and Louis.

And as the Yotes continue to slide, a top 10 pick in this draft is quickly becoming a possibility. 3 points seperate them from the 25th place sabres who still have a game in hand. Exciting times

What from the Oilers would it take to acquire Coleman from your perspectives?
- MaximumBone

Evan Bouchard would be sufficient. The kid hasn't burned a single year off his entry level. 10th overall in the 2018, the big RD would be a welcome addition to the competitive young D talent we are starting to acquire. 28 points through his first 40 AHL games is a great start for the kid, especially on that brutal squad.

Bang on Todd. I've mentioned trading Coleman plenty. I think trading the guy is ideal. We could retain 50%, and make the guy a 900k player next season. Thats got to be worth something serious (1st rd pick?). And as you said, he was a fringe NHL'er just a couple years ago. I don't see the point keeping him to the point where he becomes a 30 year old UFA. Buy low, sell high. With Bratt and Boq both able to step up their game, why not continue the rebuild.

And can we please sit Blackwood the rest of the season. He has my backing as next years starter, and all he is doing is killing our lottery odds. Lets close this out with Schneids and Louis.

And as the Yotes continue to slide, a top 10 pick in this draft is quickly becoming a possibility. 3 points seperate them from the 25th place sabres who still have a game in hand. Exciting times
- bikeguy99

Cultivating losing is going to do no positives for this team and the young players. There's a lottery anyway and almost every year some team, ie rangers with Kaapo and Philly with Nolan, move up.

Bang on Todd. I've mentioned trading Coleman plenty. I think trading the guy is ideal. We could retain 50%, and make the guy a 900k player next season. Thats got to be worth something serious (1st rd pick?). And as you said, he was a fringe NHL'er just a couple years ago. I don't see the point keeping him to the point where he becomes a 30 year old UFA. Buy low, sell high. With Bratt and Boq both able to step up their game, why not continue the rebuild.

And can we please sit Blackwood the rest of the season. He has my backing as next years starter, and all he is doing is killing our lottery odds. Lets close this out with Schneids and Louis.

And as the Yotes continue to slide, a top 10 pick in this draft is quickly becoming a possibility. 3 points seperate them from the 25th place sabres who still have a game in hand. Exciting times
- bikeguy99

We could retain salary on any player at this point but Coleman's contract is already insane, don't really need to retain anything.

Cultivating losing is going to do no positives for this team and the young players. There's a lottery anyway and almost every year some team, ie rangers with Kaapo and Philly with Nolan, move up.
- devilspep

This seems to be the best argument against trading these guys, but what exaclty are we doing with them(Coleman, Palms, Vats) on the roster? I like all three players but I feel like we aren't close enough to being competitive to keep them around. Unless Fitzgerald is convinced this is a coaching issue, but then I'd rather they bring in Lavy or Gallant now then keep Nas in charge.

This seems to be the best argument against trading these guys, but what exaclty are we doing with them(Coleman, Palms, Vats) on the roster? I like all three players but I feel like we aren't close enough to being competitive to keep them around. Unless Fitzgerald is convinced this is a coaching issue, but then I'd rather they bring in Lavy or Gallant now then keep Nas in charge.
- rmdevil313

The offense is pretty decent already if at least middle of the pack. If they can re shape the D somehow and Blackwood can find his consistency while also finding a capable back up, things can turn around quick. I don't think the panic button should be hit and then we're rebuilding for another 5 years.

This seems to be the best argument against trading these guys, but what exaclty are we doing with them(Coleman, Palms, Vats) on the roster? I like all three players but I feel like we aren't close enough to being competitive to keep them around. Unless Fitzgerald is convinced this is a coaching issue, but then I'd rather they bring in Lavy or Gallant now then keep Nas in charge.
- rmdevil313

I think you hit the nail on the head.

The organization doesn't seem to have a direction. Or a plan to get better.

IF ownership is serious that they want to be competitive now then you have to keep these guys. If you are mapping out a long term plan then you'd move guys for assets. Vats is a little different as a pending UFA; meaning there is urgency in figuring out what's happening. Losing him for nothing isn't acceptable so get an offer on the table (if you want to keep him) and if we can't sign him get him moved.

But bottom line right now is we fired Shero and installed Fitzy but haven't made any changes that affect the product on the ice. I don't see how this has made us better. It's just made us more of a mess with an interim coach and an interim GM.

Why is ownership now so quiet?