Guest Writer: Vatanen injury may consign Devils to 4th round pick

There is really not a huge difference between a 3rd and 4th rounder so this isn't a big deal. The important thing is that we are getting a pick. It's really up to the scouting department to be able to find a good prospect; and they're all long shots at that point.

I'm happy with the Vats trade because I think Janne Kuokkanen was a great return for an injured defenseman. Getting Freddy Claesson was a nice throw in and the pick is just icing on the cake.

That said, I'd love to see Vats be able to play regardless of the pick. The injury or whatever is going on stinks.

3rd rounder or 4th rounder .... who cares ... both rounds yield a similarly small number of players who make it to the big stage... in other words they are both a crap shoot with a small chance of the player panning out

That trade was brilliant, Getting something for an injured UFA when we had no chance at any post season was getting something for nothing. Devils also have the opportunity to sign him again ( But Hope they Stay Far Away ). Sami's Injury history and age, price along with our state of re-building is just a no deal in my opinion.

That trade was brilliant, Getting something for an injured UFA when we had no chance at any post season was getting something for nothing. Devils also have the opportunity to sign him again ( But Hope they Stay Far Away ). Sami's Injury history and age, price along with our state of re-building is just a no deal in my opinion.
- Devils65

I would re-sign him for the right price if possible. I would think the lack of cap growth is going to hurt free agents and they will probably sign for less than in a normal year where there is expected cap growth.

This may play well into our hands for other free agents as well. Not that I think we are close to being competitive and should sign free agents, but we may be able to pluck some nice talent strategically at a reduced cost

I'd have more sympathy if his injury had been properly disclosed.

Waddell said during the break that Vatanen was injured much worse than what they were led to believe when the trade was made.

I'd have more sympathy if his injury had been properly disclosed.

Waddell said during the break that Vatanen was injured much worse than what they were led to believe when the trade was made.
- BINGO!

Well you guys fired first on Fort Sumter so now we are finally even.

And you're welcome.

Well you guys fired first on Fort Sumter so now we are finally even.

And you're welcome.
- Queenie_5_hole

The SOuth wILl RISE Agin!

The SOuth wILl RISE Agin!
- BINGO!

Been hearing that for 155 years but 2020 might be the perfect year.

Succession goes very well with civil unrest and global pandemics....

I'd have more sympathy if his injury had been properly disclosed.

Waddell said during the break that Vatanen was injured much worse than what they were led to believe when the trade was made.
- BINGO!

(frank) off

There is really not a huge difference between a 3rd and 4th rounder so this isn't a big deal. - Queenie_5_hole

Any other year I would agree with you but not this year, there are guys who could go in third this year that would have gone late in the first last year or early in the second. I will put out a list closer to the draft.

(frank) off
- shvingter88

don't get sassy with me boy

Any other year I would agree with you but not this year, there are guys who could go in third this year that would have gone late in the first last year or early in the second. I will put out a list closer to the draft.
- cu45161

I will take your word on that; but it is what it is. It's not like Carolina isn't playing Vats to screw us. I think we are fortunate to get any pick considering Carolina might only get two Play-In games out of Vats.

I will take your word on that; but it is what it is. It's not like Carolina isn't playing Vats to screw us. I think we are fortunate to get any pick considering Carolina might only get two Play-In games out of Vats.
- Queenie_5_hole

Agreed, doesnt matter if the pick is in the 3rd or 4th round. Not much of a difference in the level of prospects, the NHL success rate between those rounds is only a ~5% drop off, so nothing big. Its all just taking a shot and hope you strike a gem at that point. Just getting a pick in general to have that extra "lottery ticket" is nice

NHL.com reports Vats as a game time decision. So we know it’s not COVID. Could still get the 3rd

NHL.com reports Vats as a game time decision. So we know it’s not COVID. Could still get the 3rd
- Crushers68

Vats is playing. Hurricanes really do have a nice top 6, and Gardiner on the bench.. Pesce and Edmundson idk where they are, but they're decent too.

Hamilton, Slavin, Skjei, Pesce, Vatanen, Edmundson, Van Riemsdyk, Fleury.. I'd take any of them on our team. Any of their top 5 would be our #1. Their bottom 3 would be our #2 lol.

Vats is playing. Hurricanes really do have a nice top 6, and Gardiner on the bench.. Pesce and Edmundson idk where they are, but they're decent too.

Hamilton, Slavin, Skjei, Pesce, Vatanen, Edmundson, Van Riemsdyk, Fleury.. I'd take any of them on our team. Any of their top 5 would be our #1. Their bottom 3 would be our #2 lol.
- MartysBetter88

Well I am pleasantly surprised Vats is back baby!

You?

Well I am pleasantly surprised Vats is back baby!

You?
- Queenie_5_hole

gimme that 3rd round pick. I know it's nothing significant, but I'd rather have the guy our scouts have ranked 80th overall than who we have 110th overall. meh.

gimme that 3rd round pick. I know it's nothing significant, but I'd rather have the guy our scouts have ranked 80th overall than who we have 110th overall. meh.
- MartysBetter88

Sami played so well we should get a 2nd.

At least he played last night! Looked good too, so lets hope he gets some more starts. But what a great blue-line on that club!! Vats is struggling to crack their top 4, and it's not surprising if you watch their games. I could see them going 7 with Boston. Hopefully we get upgraded to the 3rd, because that could very well see us have the option of a top 5 goalie, should we not draft Askarov. We need another tendy or two in our system asap.

Vats is playing. Hurricanes really do have a nice top 6, and Gardiner on the bench.. Pesce and Edmundson idk where they are, but they're decent too.

Hamilton, Slavin, Skjei, Pesce, Vatanen, Edmundson, Van Riemsdyk, Fleury.. I'd take any of them on our team. Any of their top 5 would be our #1. Their bottom 3 would be our #2 lol.
- MartysBetter88

Edmundson will soon be a UFA, who I doubt will be re-signed given their roster depth. I would love to add a solid/physical D like that to our left side. He would compete for our #1LD, and at a very reasonable price most likely

Clarkson's contract is finally up this year <3

Edmundson will soon be a UFA, who I doubt will be re-signed given their roster depth. I would love to add a solid/physical D like that to our left side. He would compete for our #1LD, and at a very reasonable price most likely
- bikeguy99

I'd be ok with that. Idk too much about him. he's better than Mueller.

Smith-Severson
Edmundson-Subban
Butcher-Carrick

We need something of decency. This will give Bahl and co. this season and next to develop. We'll see where Butcher is at by then, might just let him go or trade him. Subban will be done by that time too, opening up another spot on the right side. Carrick's deal is up after the 2020-21 season. Maybe we see Walsh in that spot for 21-22. If both guys develop to or above potential, Bahl-Walsh could be a nice pair.

I'd be ok with that. Idk too much about him. he's better than Mueller.

Smith-Severson
Edmundson-Subban
Butcher-Carrick

We need something of decency. This will give Bahl and co. this season and next to develop. We'll see where Butcher is at by then, might just let him go or trade him. Subban will be done by that time too, opening up another spot on the right side. Carrick's deal is up after the 2020-21 season. Maybe we see Walsh in that spot for 21-22. If both guys develop to or above potential, Bahl-Walsh could be a nice pair.
- MartysBetter88

Ty Smith on the top pairing? Like nest season?

Ty Smith on the top pairing? Like nest season?
- Queenie_5_hole

idk. I'm trying to set him up to succeed. He's worse off with Subban or Carrick, but will face more competition with Severson. I feel like anyone is setup for failure with Subban.