OT...Do you think the Devils should go after Laine if he becomes available this trade deadline or even in the offseason? I know he wants to get paid (probably around 8+mil) but he be perfect next to the two centers we have in Nico and Hughes. The Devils will have plenty of cap space and if they are going to spend it at least spend it on top-tier talent who is still very young(22yrs old) instead of aging players like Subban. The Devils also have plenty of draft capital and prospects to make it work.
- Gambi99

Maybe Point from Tampa in offseason?

Tampa will need to shed salary, bad.

His contract is up in a year and no way tampa can keep him. Unless they convince McDonagh to retire early.

Maybe Point from Tampa in offseason?

Tampa will need to shed salary, bad.

His contract is up in a year and no way tampa can keep him. Unless they convince McDonagh to retire early.
- Leniwm1

McDonagh is 31, he ain't retiring any time soon lol. They will give up assets so Seattle takes one of their big contracts from them, most likely.

Sorry Marty's better 88 no Erica tonight, covid protocol

Maybe Point from Tampa in offseason?

Tampa will need to shed salary, bad.

His contract is up in a year and no way tampa can keep him. Unless they convince McDonagh to retire early.
- Leniwm1

Ownership isn't spending any money, we have had cap space since obama was in office. Every year we hear about all this cap space and holding another team hostage. NOT HAPPENING!! The only thing this ownership group cares about is getting the prudential center up and running post covid.

Surprised that's not goalie interference

Our special teams is a poopshow. something needs to be done after this season.

It pains me that we finally got player to want to play here, (butcher and gusev) and we are just reminding other players why not to come.
- shvingter88

Surprised that's not goalie interference
- dmarsden2988

I thought they'd at least challenge.

Colorado acquired D Patrik Nemeth from the RedWings with 50% retained, for a 2022 4th round pick. So thats a relatively good benchmark for what we could expect if we move Kulikov and/or Murray

This is absolutely the “softest group of defensemen” we’ve ever had. . They look terrified to clear out space for Blackwood. When was the last physical defensemen we had on the roster?

This is absolutely the “softest group of defensemen” we’ve ever had. . They look terrified to clear out space for Blackwood. When was the last physical defensemen we had on the roster?
- Relentless

Well the way the world and game are changing, it’s going to be illegal to battle in front of the net. Cancel interference.

Sorry Marty's better 88 no Erica tonight, covid protocol
- dmarsden2988

She spells it.. with a K!!!

OT...Do you think the Devils should go after Laine if he becomes available this trade deadline or even in the offseason? I know he wants to get paid (probably around 8+mil) but he be perfect next to the two centers we have in Nico and Hughes. The Devils will have plenty of cap space and if they are going to spend it at least spend it on top-tier talent who is still very young(22yrs old) instead of aging players like Subban. The Devils also have plenty of draft capital and prospects to make it work.
- Gambi99

No. His qualifying offer is insane. Anyone who thinks he is an elite sniper needs to remind themselves that December 2018 was when he scored 1 of his past 49 goals. Combine that with his terrible two way play, and you have a guy who really is worth just 4-5M on a good day. He will be Skinner-esque

No. His qualifying offer is insane. Anyone who thinks he is an elite sniper needs to remind themselves that December 2018 was when he scored 1 of his past 49 goals. Combine that with his terrible two way play, and you have a guy who really is worth just 4-5M on a good day. He will be Skinner-esque
- bikeguy99

he's just so young though..

he's just so young though..
- MartysBetter88

The knocks on Laine are overstated. What's not overstated is that he's under team control with Columbus so we'd have to trade to pick up the contract which isn't going to happen.

just copying this from the hotstove blog cuz i mistook it for our page.

Saad and Hopkins could be nice adds up front.
Saad will be 29 and has some Cup experience. Is he slow though? I rarely see him. Nuge is almost 28 already. crazy.
Maybe Hoffman (32 next season), Granlund (30) or Schwartz (30 next season)? Maybe a Goodrow or Iafallo?

We definitely have to sign at least one of those guys. I think it's a fail if we don't.

I'd be okay with bringing Zajac and Palmieri back, while adding one of these players, and I think we have the space to do it. I don't think our forwards should be on an island all learning the NHL game together. I think they should have some guys to help insulate them a bit, especially Hughes.

Saad-Hischier-Bratt
Sharangovich-Hughes-Granlund
Wood/Maltsev/Johnsson-Zacha-Kuokkanen
Johnsson/Maltsev/Bastian-McLeod-Thompson/Merkley

idk. something like that.

This lineup is already made up of kids so I'm not sure adding more rookies would benefit those here and the rookies themselves.

Gotta wonder who Seattle will take from us.. Wood, Johnsson, Subban..

just copying this from the hotstove blog cuz i mistook it for our page.

Saad and Hopkins could be nice adds up front.
Saad will be 29 and has some Cup experience. Is he slow though? I rarely see him. Nuge is almost 28 already. crazy.
Maybe Hoffman (32 next season), Granlund (30) or Schwartz (30 next season)? Maybe a Goodrow or Iafallo?

We definitely have to sign at least one of those guys. I think it's a fail if we don't.

I'd be okay with bringing Zajac and Palmieri back, while adding one of these players, and I think we have the space to do it. I don't think our forwards should be on an island all learning the NHL game together. I think they should have some guys to help insulate them a bit, especially Hughes.

Saad-Hischier-Bratt
Sharangovich-Hughes-Granlund
Wood/Maltsev/Johnsson-Zacha-Kuokkanen
Johnsson/Maltsev/Bastian-McLeod-Thompson/Merkley

idk. something like that.

This lineup is already made up of kids so I'm not sure adding more rookies would benefit those here and the rookies themselves.

Gotta wonder who Seattle will take from us.. Wood, Johnsson, Subban..
- MartysBetter88

Devils would be crazy not to protect Wood if they can. If they cannot then trade him for value. Subban and Johnsson fine to be exposed, do us a favor if actually taken.

Devils would be crazy not to protect Wood if they can. If they cannot then trade him for value. Subban and Johnsson fine to be exposed, do us a favor if actually taken.
- redmonsters

How does expansion work?
Do we only have a certain amount of players to protect?
So in theory, we can trim our roster as we are now with getting rid of players for picks for instance to get to bare minimum roster. Then we can sign "throw away" players and just protect everyone except them so Kraken will be forced to pick a throw away?

Is this how it works?

How does expansion work?
Do we only have a certain amount of players to protect?
So in theory, we can trim our roster as we are now with getting rid of players for picks for instance to get to bare minimum roster. Then we can sign "throw away" players and just protect everyone except them so Kraken will be forced to pick a throw away?

Is this how it works?
- Leniwm1

The expansion draft happens before free agency, so you cant just sign throw away players. We're allowed to protect either 7F, 3D, 1G or 8 skaters and 1 goalie. We're obviously going the 1st option. With our current roster its pretty agreed upon that we'd be protecting Nico, Wood, Bratt, Sharangovich, Kuokkanen, Zacha, and either McLeod or Johnsson on forward. Severson, Subban, and Butcher on D. Mac in net.

So that would leave McLeod/Johnsson, Bastian, and Merkley exposed for forwards. A bunch of nothing D. And Cormier or Wedge for goaltending. So we're likely losing a forward either way.

And that's just without current roster, i assume some trades will be made before expansion which will change this

The expansion draft happens before free agency, so you cant just sign throw away players. We're allowed to protect either 7F, 3D, 1G or 8 skaters and 1 goalie. We're obviously going the 1st option. With our current roster its pretty agreed upon that we'd be protecting Nico, Wood, Bratt, Sharangovich, Kuokkanen, Zacha, and either McLeod or Johnsson on forward. Severson, Subban, and Butcher on D. Mac in net.

So that would leave McLeod/Johnsson, Bastian, and Merkley exposed for forwards. A bunch of nothing D. And Cormier or Wedge for goaltending. So we're likely losing a forward either way.

And that's just without current roster, i assume some trades will be made before expansion which will change this
- vlongo4419

I'd rather keep McLeod over Johnsson. Wouldn't shed a tear over him.

Buffalo trades Montour to Florida

Haven't seen the return

Buffalo trades Montour to Florida

Haven't seen the return
- dmarsden2988

For a 2021 3rd, no salary retained either. Definitely an overpay from Florida. Should make the case to get atleast a 3rd for Kuli/Murray if we move them now, and should be trying to get more

For a 2021 3rd, no salary retained either. Definitely an overpay from Florida. Should make the case to get atleast a 3rd for Kuli/Murray if we move them now, and should be trying to get more
- vlongo4419

Hard to tell if Montour is bad or if Buffalo just makes everybody look bad. At 26 I'd say a 3rd isn't bad and with this being his last season you can just let him walk.

I'd think Kulikov/Murray are in that same area for returns even though they are having better season analytically. Especially Kulikov who I thought was going to be horrible and has really proven me wrong. Been a solid contributor out there.

Hard to tell if Montour is bad or if Buffalo just makes everybody look bad. At 26 I'd say a 3rd isn't bad and with this being his last season you can just let him walk.

I'd think Kulikov/Murray are in that same area for returns even though they are having better season analytically. Especially Kulikov who I thought was going to be horrible and has really proven me wrong. Been a solid contributor out there.
- Pomegrant

He's been very bad, team aside. His underlying numbers say hes one of the worst D in the league over the last 3 seasons. Panthers paid for the name instead of the player. If we move Kuli or Murray, 3rd should be the entry point for teams based off that Montour return

Jackets and Lightning are close to a Savard deal. Dreger says he has a source saying the return is significant