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Forums :: Blog World :: Todd Cordell: New Jersey Devils player profile: Dakota Mermis
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Todd Cordell
New Jersey Devils
Location: Toronto, ON
Joined: 09.05.2011

Apr 17 @ 11:20 AM ET
Todd Cordell: New Jersey Devils player profile: Dakota Mermis
redmonsters
New Jersey Devils
Location: NY
Joined: 06.23.2015

Apr 17 @ 11:24 AM ET
Hello Todd, Thanks a good read as always! My only thought - and I have no idea on the answer - is if signed to the Bing is he taking time away from some one else the Devils want to develop? If not sure sign him to the Bing as potential short term injury replacement for the big club.
BINGO!
Carolina Hurricanes
Location: I'll always remember the last words my grandfather ever told me. He said, "A Truck!", SK
Joined: 09.21.2009

Apr 17 @ 12:09 PM ET
no way that's a real name
Queenie_5_hole
New Jersey Devils
Joined: 05.01.2015

Apr 17 @ 12:14 PM ET

Considering we lost Greene and Vats this year the big club has few legit NHL defenders. Dakota did a pretty decent job filling in so it would seem worthwhile to keep him around if only for emergency work. He's also probably a valuable help in the Bing.
Queenie_5_hole
New Jersey Devils
Joined: 05.01.2015

Apr 17 @ 12:15 PM ET
no way that's a real name
- BINGO!



I had a similar reaction the first time I heard it.
ToddCordellVAN
Location: Barrie, ON
Joined: 09.04.2013

Apr 17 @ 1:01 PM ET
Hello Todd, Thanks a good read as always! My only thought - and I have no idea on the answer - is if signed to the Bing is he taking time away from some one else the Devils want to develop? If not sure sign him to the Bing as potential short term injury replacement for the big club.
- redmonsters


Thank you!

I don't think so. It's not like the Devils have six 22&U players they could/should trot out on a nightly basis. Their defense pool isn't super deep. You also want to have some veterans around who can help them develop and play in the NHL in a pinch.
shvingter88
New Jersey Devils
Location: Puljujarvi makes draisitil and mcdavid better, CT
Joined: 10.12.2009

Apr 17 @ 1:08 PM ET
no way that's a real name
- BINGO!

Believe it bub
redmonsters
New Jersey Devils
Location: NY
Joined: 06.23.2015

Apr 17 @ 2:27 PM ET
Thank you!

I don't think so. It's not like the Devils have six 22&U players they could/should trot out on a nightly basis. Their defense pool isn't super deep. You also want to have some veterans around who can help them develop and play in the NHL in a pinch.

- ToddCordellVAN


Great, thanks! Seems like a safe signing then as insurance then. Be well!
bikeguy99
New Jersey Devils
Joined: 09.05.2017

Apr 17 @ 8:16 PM ET
Todd Cordell: New Jersey Devils player profile: Dakota Mermis
- Todd.Cordell


It's both frustrating and fantastic that this unknown 26 year old can simply walk onto our top pairing. I was very happy with this guys game, and devastated with the play of Mueller/Butcher/p.k, who all have much higher expectations. Always happy for these pleasant surprises (much like Joey's strong finish), but several D need to elevate their game.

With Buff looking for a new one-year deal in a low-profile club, I say 1 year, 6.5M. His offensive skills are elite, and his physicality is something you only see once every 10 draft years. Why not???? Sev/Buff/P.K down the right would be great. Plus we could potentially trade the guy at the deadline
Queenie_5_hole
New Jersey Devils
Joined: 05.01.2015

Apr 18 @ 9:51 AM ET
It's both frustrating and fantastic that this unknown 26 year old can simply walk onto our top pairing. I was very happy with this guys game, and devastated with the play of Mueller/Butcher/p.k, who all have much higher expectations. Always happy for these pleasant surprises (much like Joey's strong finish), but several D need to elevate their game.

With Buff looking for a new one-year deal in a low-profile club, I say 1 year, 6.5M. His offensive skills are elite, and his physicality is something you only see once every 10 draft years. Why not???? Sev/Buff/P.K down the right would be great. Plus we could potentially trade the guy at the deadline

- bikeguy99


I can’t imagine that if big buff wants to play next season he wants to do so in Newark... and if he does I’m not sure a 35 year old guy is a good fit for the team; but we are so hard up for NHL quality defenders I’d take him.

We can certainly afford him and just saying Byfuglein - Mermis would make it worthwhile...
bikeguy99
New Jersey Devils
Joined: 09.05.2017

Apr 18 @ 3:29 PM ET
I can’t imagine that if big buff wants to play next season he wants to do so in Newark... and if he does I’m not sure a 35 year old guy is a good fit for the team; but we are so hard up for NHL quality defenders I’d take him.

We can certainly afford him and just saying Byfuglein - Mermis would make it worthwhile...

- Queenie_5_hole


Honestly, (not a brag, not chance he would even recognize me) I've fished with the big wookie. He crushed a case of beer, and said he'd play anywhere that didn't have a massive media presence. He hates the cameras. So NJ wouldn't be too far fetched. Obviously retirement is an option he is considering, as he seems happily settled with his family in wpg. I'd image the usual Fla/Tampa/Dallas suitors to be desired destinations, and all of them have some fairly impressive rosters too boot. It's wishful thinking for sure, but I don't understand why people are so hung up on his age? So he's 35, its not like anyone in the league is offering anything beyond 1-2 years. He had 0.75ppg last season, and 1.33 ppg in the playoffs. Given that he may very well be the strongest guy in the league, and fights, why would anyone hesitate a low-risk, 1 year deal?
redmonsters
New Jersey Devils
Location: NY
Joined: 06.23.2015

Apr 18 @ 4:03 PM ET
Honestly, (not a brag, not chance he would even recognize me) I've fished with the big wookie. He crushed a case of beer, and said he'd play anywhere that didn't have a massive media presence. He hates the cameras. So NJ wouldn't be too far fetched. Obviously retirement is an option he is considering, as he seems happily settled with his family in wpg. I'd image the usual Fla/Tampa/Dallas suitors to be desired destinations, and all of them have some fairly impressive rosters too boot. It's wishful thinking for sure, but I don't understand why people are so hung up on his age? So he's 35, its not like anyone in the league is offering anything beyond 1-2 years. He had 0.75ppg last season, and 1.33 ppg in the playoffs. Given that he may very well be the strongest guy in the league, and fights, why would anyone hesitate a low-risk, 1 year deal?
- bikeguy99

I have no problem with this. I guess it comes down to two things. Does he want to play here? If yes, is he or Greene the veteran presence we want next year.
Queenie_5_hole
New Jersey Devils
Joined: 05.01.2015

Apr 18 @ 4:25 PM ET
Hey Bikeguy99; pretty cool about fishing with Big Buff.

Being 35 doesn’t scare me from signing him if he’d come here. Just meant that realistically we aren’t going to be a very good team for whatever productive years he’s likely to play.
Pomegrant
New Jersey Devils
Location: NJ
Joined: 01.18.2010

Apr 18 @ 5:00 PM ET
Obviously there are effective players who are 35+ but not all of them are coming off a big surgery and one that we don't know how well the rehab has gone. 1-2 year deal isn't a big deal for this team because we suck, but if he's just going to be ineffective and eat a roster spot we can have anybody do that.
bikeguy99
New Jersey Devils
Joined: 09.05.2017

Apr 19 @ 1:10 AM ET
Hey Bikeguy99; pretty cool about fishing with Big Buff.

Being 35 doesn’t scare me from signing him if he’d come here. Just meant that realistically we aren’t going to be a very good team for whatever productive years he’s likely to play.

- Queenie_5_hole


I think we can compete next season. Especially if we somehow land a true #1D. Or at least 2 new top 4 D. I still think Gustafsson, and Edmonson would be ideal, but only time will tell.
bikeguy99
New Jersey Devils
Joined: 09.05.2017

Apr 19 @ 1:13 AM ET
Obviously there are effective players who are 35+ but not all of them are coming off a big surgery and one that we don't know how well the rehab has gone. 1-2 year deal isn't a big deal for this team because we suck, but if he's just going to be ineffective and eat a roster spot we can have anybody do that.
- Pomegrant


True. But he played in the playoffs still injured and notched 1.33ppg...... So I'd happily take a chance on the guy. What devs on our roster have a ppg that can even compete with Big Buff? Factor in his hitting/fighting/overall presence to not mess with our scrawny young bucks, and the guy is a home run compared to our other options. He loves smaller market hockey where he can fly under the radar, so if he doesn't retire, why not Jersey?
Pomegrant
New Jersey Devils
Location: NJ
Joined: 01.18.2010

Apr 19 @ 8:47 PM ET
True. But he played in the playoffs still injured and notched 1.33ppg...... So I'd happily take a chance on the guy. What devs on our roster have a ppg that can even compete with Big Buff? Factor in his hitting/fighting/overall presence to not mess with our scrawny young bucks, and the guy is a home run compared to our other options. He loves smaller market hockey where he can fly under the radar, so if he doesn't retire, why not Jersey?
- bikeguy99

You can't argue with his past production whether it be possession metrics, counting numbers, or intangibles the fans love of grit.
Devils622
New Jersey Devils
Location: NY
Joined: 08.31.2006

Apr 19 @ 10:29 PM ET
Hey Todd. Have you heard anything about the GM and coaching search?

Thank you
redmonsters
New Jersey Devils
Location: NY
Joined: 06.23.2015

Apr 20 @ 10:05 AM ET
Hey Todd. Have you heard anything about the GM and coaching search?

Thank you

- Devils622

I am definitely not Todd...I read over at the Athletic a Q&A with the Devil beat writer there, Corey Masisak, where he has heard no news that anyone is/has been interviewed other than Gillis a while back. Also he has not heard of the Devs reaching out to other teams for interviews. His take was that for such a significant role the Devs want an in person interview, and that is not happening in this current environment.