Todd Cordell: G56 New Jersey Devils vs Detroit Red Wings: The Basement Bowl

Wings fan here. Interesting write up. Should be a game full of intrigue.

A couple things: we’ve had really poor lottery luck.

1) what’s your secret?
2) how do you do well in the lottery and still end up this bad? I thought your team did look good on paper before the season

Bonus tidbit. At least we had success in the recent past. It could be worse..we could be buffalo

Wings fan here. Interesting write up. Should be a game full of intrigue.

A couple things: we’ve had really poor lottery luck.

1) what’s your secret?
2) how do you do well in the lottery and still end up this bad? I thought your team did look good on paper before the season

Bonus tidbit. At least we had success in the recent past. It could be worse..we could be buffalo
- datswho

It is widely believed the lottery luck is a gift from Taylor Hall. Edmonton won first overall picks with him on their roster multiple times and so did we.

Technically, NJ won the draft lottery before Hall got here when we picked Adam Larsson; but the rules were different then and you moved down (I think 3 spots max) but didn't get the first overall pick.

As for how we remain this bad.... God hates us?! I assume it has something to do with finally allowing a player to wear #13 or making a trade with NY Rangers.

Or it's organizational incompetence. Or organizational incontinence.

But have to agree; at least we both had some success in our past because for some franchises it's been the Bataan Death March to nowhere.

In response to Wings fan:
1)Taylor Hall
2) As much as we love Nico and Jack neither are unfortunately a Connor McDavid and can't by themselves cover the awful deficiencies this team has

In response to Wings fan:
1)Taylor Hall
2) As much as we love Nico and Jack neither are unfortunately a Connor McDavid and can't by themselves cover the awful deficiencies this team has
- devilspep

Thanks to you both! I have heard of the Taylor hall voodoo.

It actually irritates me to no end that every year buffalo is supposed to be better and yet every year they end up right the with us battling for a prime draft spot. We showed them this year though

I agree that you need a generational player to overhaul a team sometimes. Hopefully Alexis lafreniere is such a player. And hopefully he doesn’t GOTO Chicago or something similar

Vats is as good as gone. With MTL, CBJ and others needing a Dman badly, we can get a nice pieces for him.

Also he wasnt at morning skate...

Thanks to you both! I have heard of the Taylor hall voodoo.

It actually irritates me to no end that every year buffalo is supposed to be better and yet every year they end up right the with us battling for a prime draft spot. We showed them this year though

I agree that you need a generational player to overhaul a team sometimes. Hopefully Alexis lafreniere is such a player. And hopefully he doesn’t GOTO Chicago or something similar
- datswho

Don't worry. Alexis Lafreniere will be headed to the Coyotes thanks to Taylor Hall.
NJ has AZ's 1st round pick from the trade, but it's lottery protected.

Vats is as good as gone. With MTL, CBJ and others needing a Dman badly, we can get a nice pieces for him.

Also he wasnt at morning skate...
- Leniwm1

I like Vatanan. Our defense still is crap with him regardless though so if they can get a good return then so be it.

Don't worry. Alexis Lafreniere will be headed to the Coyotes thanks to Taylor Hall.
NJ has AZ's 1st round pick from the trade, but it's lottery protected.
- Queenie_5_hole

Which means we'll get their unprotected lottery pick next year yay

Vats is as good as gone. With MTL, CBJ and others needing a Dman badly, we can get a nice pieces for him.

Also he wasnt at morning skate...
- Leniwm1

The demand for quality defenders is certainly there. This is why I wanted us to grab Jake Gardiner when no one was signing him in free agency....

The demand for quality defenders is certainly there. This is why I wanted us to grab Jake Gardiner when no one was signing him in free agency....
- Queenie_5_hole

Imagine Vats for Caufield straight up? Jack then lights it up for rest of season. SO exciting!

It actually irritates me to no end that every year buffalo is supposed to be better and yet every year they end up right the with us battling for a prime draft spot. We showed them this year though - datswho

It's funny because he says this with pride

Wings fan here. Interesting write up. Should be a game full of intrigue.

A couple things: we’ve had really poor lottery luck.

1) what’s your secret?
2) how do you do well in the lottery and still end up this bad? I thought your team did look good on paper before the season

Bonus tidbit. At least we had success in the recent past. It could be worse..we could be buffalo
- datswho

.. yea our lottery luck is so lucky that each time we win happens to be one of the VERY FEW times a franchise player isn't available.. let alone one that's projected to be a lock on a top line. The most unlucky luck.

.. yea our lottery luck is so lucky that each time we win happens to be one of the VERY FEW times a franchise player isn't available.. let alone one that's projected to be a lock on a top line. The most unlucky luck.
- MartysBetter88

You are right. It is in kind of down years isn’t it? Jack Hughes is supposed to be a top end guy though?

You are right. It is in kind of down years isn’t it? Jack Hughes is supposed to be a top end guy though?
- datswho

Jack will be a 50pt player.

Which means we'll get their unprotected lottery pick next year yay
- devilspep

Yes, but Hallsey will be long gone and they won't win the lottery.

Imagine Vats for Caufield straight up? Jack then lights it up for rest of season. SO exciting!
- Leniwm1

We are more likely to get Holden Caulfield then Cole Caufield.

We are more likely to get Holden Caulfield then Cole Caufield.
- Queenie_5_hole

Or a cold and cough?

Todd Cordell: G56 New Jersey Devils vs Detroit Red Wings: The Basement Bowl
- Todd.Cordell

2-1 ot devils

DOOMED

Imagine Vats for Caufield straight up? Jack then lights it up for rest of season. SO exciting!
- Leniwm1

Would love it but no way they trade him after drafting him 6 months ago. That’s a bad look.

Jack will be a 50pt player.
- Leniwm1

A flashy 50pt player

Yes, but Hallsey will be long gone and they won't win the lottery.
- Queenie_5_hole

also, if they miss the playoffs they're going to have some of the worst odds to winning the lottery.

Wings fan here. Interesting write up. Should be a game full of intrigue.

A couple things: we’ve had really poor lottery luck.

1) what’s your secret?
2) how do you do well in the lottery and still end up this bad? I thought your team did look good on paper before the season

Bonus tidbit. At least we had success in the recent past. It could be worse..we could be buffalo
- datswho

Our team may have disappointed, but you are correct about the interesting write up. Todd never disappoints, and is a big reason we still have people reading/commenting on his blogs daily.

Supposedly, Hall was the golden ticket to lottery success, as he has seen MANY wins. Lets see if the Yotes can pull it off! haha

As for your downer season, you are doing it right. The rangers are forcing a rebuild, and watching many talented players walk do to cap constraints. Buying out Shatts, ditching Zuccerello/Hayes was a loss, and Kreider/DeAngelo is next on the chopping block. They needed to wait out Smith/Staal's contracts in my opinion, but eh, its their choice.

You guys have some good young talent, and are waiting out some terrible contracts. Franzen/Ericsson/Daley combine for 11.5M AAV are all off the books after this season!!!! The end is near and one more good draft pick, paired with a UFA, and your team could be right back in the mix.

Would love it but no way they trade him after drafting him 6 months ago. That’s a bad look.
- shvingter88

Nvmd, vats just got put on the IR. No trade.

.. yea our lottery luck is so lucky that each time we win happens to be one of the VERY FEW times a franchise player isn't available.. let alone one that's projected to be a lock on a top line. The most unlucky luck.
- MartysBetter88

Its been a learning curve for Hughes, but I am far from writing the kid off as a bust. As for Nico, I still consider him the next Bergeron, and love the contract he is on. But I get ya, they aren't McJesus.