Todd Cordell: New Jersey Devils player profile: P.K. Subban

Assuming we get a new head coach next year, let's see how these guys play in a new defensive system.

Yes, PK isn't the same as old PK; but no defender plays well during the Hynes/Nasreddine Era.

Bottom line is we are terribly short on legit defenders. PK is going to be here and can be part of that defense. So really we just need to let it ride and get him some help.

And I will assume he will be exposed for the expansion draft, hopefully protecting some one else's spot.

Put Brenden Dillon on PK's left and his numbers will pick up.

Put Brenden Dillon and Torey Krug in our defense overall and things will pick up.

Put Brenden Dillon on PK's left and his numbers will pick up.

Put Brenden Dillon and Torey Krug in our defense overall and things will pick up.
- cu45161

None of this will happen

Assuming we get a new head coach next year, let's see how these guys play in a new defensive system.

Yes, PK isn't the same as old PK; but no defender plays well during the Hynes/Nasreddine Era.

Bottom line is we are terribly short on legit defenders. PK is going to be here and can be part of that defense. So really we just need to let it ride and get him some help.
- Queenie_5_hole

It is not the system that is hampering P.K. It is the fact that he has lost all explosive power/speed, and he doesn't appear to be regaining that. You can't say that coaching is a reason we have more goals against, than for, when he is out on the PP. It is a joke. I liked this trade at the time, but reality struck way too quickly! This guys is a bum, and even 50% retained would be a tough contract to move.

The low risk contracts I hope we can try and ink would be Luca Sbisa (huge/physical/great skater), Erik Gustafsson (notched 60 points last season, around 0.5ppg this season), and Shattenkirk. All these guys appear to have a diminished value, given that Sbisa was a waiver claim, Shatts was a buyout, and Gustafsson was traded for peanuts (3rd rd pick). I doubt these guys ink contracts beyond 2 years, and at reasonable cap hits.

As for a true #1D, I doubt we can attract Pietterangelo, and Krug would only join for a massive payment, so our best shot would be to trade Butch + Pick/Prospect if we were to acquire a proven 1D. In a dream scenario:

To Devs: Fowler + Manson+ Backes
To Ducks: Butcher and P.K (3M retained AAV)+ Carrick

Manson has not produced at all offensively, but he is a great shut down D that finishes every check. Even Backes could be used as a 3/4 RW. His cap hit wont hurt the Devs one bit, So:

Fowler Severson
Gustafsson Smith
Sbisa Manson

Knowing how much cap space the Devs have and looking over the UFA, I am praying they stay out of it. For what those guys will want, it will be an overpay in every case, and not one of them being a game changer. Hall is the closest to a game changer, and I just don't trust his health. Pietrangelo will not leave StL, and after that its down hill fast for the money it will cost you. Its draft or trade.....

It is not the system that is hampering P.K. It is the fact that he has lost all explosive power/speed, and he doesn't appear to be regaining that. You can't say that coaching is a reason we have more goals against, than for, when he is out on the PP. It is a joke. I liked this trade at the time, but reality struck way too quickly! This guys is a bum, and even 50% retained would be a tough contract to move.

The low risk contracts I hope we can try and ink would be Luca Sbisa (huge/physical/great skater), Erik Gustafsson (notched 60 points last season, around 0.5ppg this season), and Shattenkirk. All these guys appear to have a diminished value, given that Sbisa was a waiver claim, Shatts was a buyout, and Gustafsson was traded for peanuts (3rd rd pick). I doubt these guys ink contracts beyond 2 years, and at reasonable cap hits.

As for a true #1D, I doubt we can attract Pietterangelo, and Krug would only join for a massive payment, so our best shot would be to trade Butch + Pick/Prospect if we were to acquire a proven 1D. In a dream scenario:

To Devs: Fowler + Manson+ Backes
To Ducks: Butcher and P.K (3M retained AAV)+ Carrick

Manson has not produced at all offensively, but he is a great shut down D that finishes every check. Even Backes could be used as a 3/4 RW. His cap hit wont hurt the Devs one bit, So:

Fowler Severson
Gustafsson Smith
Sbisa Manson
- bikeguy99

I don't disagree but I'm still hopeful that a new defensive system could be better for many of our defenders.

There is no incentive to move PK. We would have to retain max salary (50%?!) and nobody is going to give us anything back for him worth anything... We don't need the cap space right now and probably never the way ownership runs the team. Ride it out.

Knowing how much cap space the Devs have and looking over the UFA, I am praying they stay out of it. For what those guys will want, it will be an overpay in every case, and not one of them being a game changer. Hall is the closest to a game changer, and I just don't trust his health. Pietrangelo will not leave StL, and after that its down hill fast for the money it will cost you. Its draft or trade.....
- redmonsters

A lot of those signed free agents can become valuable trade chips at the deadline and bring in picks and prospects. Just something to keep in mind. Obviously it depends on no movement clauses and a lot of factors but free agency is an opportunity to bring in assets. YES it cost you too much money because that's all it costs but there is nothing bad about mixing this into the rebuild.

A lot of those signed free agents can become valuable trade chips at the deadline and bring in picks and prospects. Just something to keep in mind. Obviously it depends on no movement clauses and a lot of factors but free agency is an opportunity to bring in assets. YES it cost you too much money because that's all it costs but there is nothing bad about mixing this into the rebuild.
- Queenie_5_hole

True, very true, but you need to get them on a one year deal and not be close to playoff contention, which is a sad thought.....

The CHL is preparing for an announcement around 6PM that cancels all 3 major junior leagues playoffs and the Memorial Cup. It will be the first time in the 102 year history of the trophy that it doesnt get presented to the national junior hockey champion.

EDIT: Official now.

I am sure you have all seen this:

https://mobile.twitter.co...=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

The CHL is preparing for an announcement around 6PM that cancels all 3 major junior leagues playoffs and the Memorial Cup. It will be the first time in the 102 year history of the trophy that it doesnt get presented to the national junior hockey champion.

EDIT: Official now.
- vlongo4419

Wow, just wow. This is truly sad. I know health and safety first, but there was a lot of blood sweat and tears put into those teams and to end so sudden without a shot at the prize just sucks.

Wow, just wow. This is truly sad. I know health and safety first, but there was a lot of blood sweat and tears put into those teams and to end so sudden without a shot at the prize just sucks.
- redmonsters

My son's played 5 games in his last regular weekend of hockey including 3 for his middle school in the playoffs. They battled their way into the final in what was just a sloberknocker of a game. Everyone was so excited to make the Championship and we felt we had a pretty good chance to win it all. They cancelled the final one day before it was scheduled. We sat around for the week waiting for that game and then it was just gone. We all know there is almost zero chance it's going to happen now.

I helped out with this team and was on the bench for all the playoff games. I'm just the defensive coach but I'm in the locker and know some of these kids back to kindergarten. You watch these kids just go out and battle non stop. You see them deal with a lot of pressure and play their hearts out. And then it's '(frank) you we aren't doing this'. It's really disappointing to them to say the least.

For kids playing Major Juniors it's got to be devastating.

Everyone's health and safety is the right priority but it still blows.

I don't disagree but I'm still hopeful that a new defensive system could be better for many of our defenders.

There is no incentive to move PK. We would have to retain max salary (50%?!) and nobody is going to give us anything back for him worth anything... We don't need the cap space right now and probably never the way ownership runs the team. Ride it out.
- Queenie_5_hole

True. I mean can our D system get much worse? If we are able to resume, I would be happy to see some changes. I mean, Mermis was our hottest D on our winning streak, so lets find a way to get Butch/Sev/P.K working better together. I have no idea what the solution is.

I still hope we package Butch and either a pick or prospect for a legit #1D, and aggressively target Gustafsson and Sbisa in free agency.

A lot of those signed free agents can become valuable trade chips at the deadline and bring in picks and prospects. Just something to keep in mind. Obviously it depends on no movement clauses and a lot of factors but free agency is an opportunity to bring in assets. YES it cost you too much money because that's all it costs but there is nothing bad about mixing this into the rebuild.
- Queenie_5_hole

Those players have to sign short term deals to be valuable though, and most free agents are looking to maximize theirs. If we can fill a need such as a power forward or good defensively responsible Dman I'm all for it, but everything else just seems like it will be a waste of cap space to block younger players from getting their opportunities. Another scoring winger or mediocre puck moving defensman isn't turning this team around.

Those players have to sign short term deals to be valuable though, and most free agents are looking to maximize theirs. If we can fill a need such as a power forward or good defensively responsible Dman I'm all for it, but everything else just seems like it will be a waste of cap space to block younger players from getting their opportunities. Another scoring winger or mediocre puck moving defensman isn't turning this team around.
- rmdevil313

I think this depends on a several factors with each contract. Certainly the better the player the less the term is a factor. Many players with one year left were more valuable then players headed in free agency. Guys with multi year deals are still tradable for assets if they are good players. But my real point is that NJ is the situation where they can use their cap space to leverage players they want to trade because we can retain salary. And if you can sign the right free agents this makes them more attractive.

From a business perspective it isn't great BUT from a cap leveraging and acquiring assets perspective it is a pretty good tool. Obviously this depends on lot of factors and it's up our GM to figure this stuff out.

In regards to blocking players that is a legit point; but for a team trotting out Hayden, Rooney, McLeod and Anderson on a regular basis there are forward slots available. Defensively we ended they with Mermis, Claesson, Carrick and Mueller on the active roster so there are defensive spots to compete for also.