Guest Writer: Free Agency: RFAs - Sign or Trade

Guest Writer: Free Agency: RFAs - Sign or Trade
- Eklund

It would be nice to keep Zetterlund in mind. I was a big fan of his game and he fit the system very well. 3 points through 22 games with San Jose may not guarantee a spot for the kid, and a small overpayment of 1 year, 1.3M AAV could land the kid on an offer sheet. Not sure SJ would bother matching that, and Zetterlund has played great hockey over at the worlds right now.

It would be nice to keep Zetterlund in mind. I was a big fan of his game and he fit the system very well. 3 points through 22 games with San Jose may not guarantee a spot for the kid, and a small overpayment of 1 year, 1.3M AAV could land the kid on an offer sheet. Not sure SJ would bother matching that, and Zetterlund has played great hockey over at the worlds right now.
- bikeguy99

Couldn't agree more. Loved what that kid brought to the table. I think he fit well in our system and has some decent upsides for not being that expensive.

Wow an informed devil's article! Thank you guest writer

Do you know if the devils were able to pass the canes for top spot in the division?

I liked how there's information and comparables and one of the weirdest devil's stats was that they won at a much higher rate with Bastian in the line up and seemed to lose all the games he was out

Odd since he didn't exactly bring much and wasn't a big minute eater

I think I saw Fitz say that they don't have an order of who signs first and I think some of the depth guys will be easy to sign, more length of contract but he will need to decide what to do with blackwood if they feel vitek and Schmid are a pair or if they go out and make a trade

The only goalie I can see being traded that would be a worthwhile improvement would be helly but other than vitek not sure what we would have to add as the jets will command more

Other goalies are either set or not enough of an upgrade over vitek+

Really nice to see a Devils Blog, it's been a while, to say the least.

I could take or leave Bastian, his net-front presence disappeared during the playoffs and he took some dumb penalties. But as you mention his physical play is something we need more of.
Jesper Boqvist depends on the price. He always seems to just be figuring out how to use his talent then disappears.
Jesper Bratt would love to see him sign but his agent has made that another that depends on the price. I really like Bratt but it if it comes down to him or Timo its Timo.
Michael McCleod, for 3rd or 4th line money. He is a faceoff specialist and played well in the playoffs.
Timo Meier, He is our must sign in my opinion. I don't think Fitz brought him here for just the playoffs.
Yegor Sharangovich, RFA trade his rights. He just does not seem to fit on this team and there are too many holes to fill that he does not fit into.
Kevin Bahl, yes please, love this kid and he is only going to get better. With Graves and Sev most likely leaving he is needed.
MacKenzie Blackwood, Please let him walk. Injured a lot. Hot and cold, when he's hot he's good but when he is cold, wow he is really bad.
The Devils again seem to have a goaltending issue. Vitek seemed like the answer then not so much, especially in the playoffs. Schmid seems to be a possible future #1 but he is very young and needs more time to really solidify the position.
What an amazing season that I don't think any fan would say otherwise. LGD!!!!!

So the Devils get an outdoor game at Metlife Stadium AND a new blog on Hockeybuzz?! IT'S THE APOCALYPSE!!!

Seriously, not only thrilled with any article but really like the writing and information.

Thank You, Guest Writer!

I think Bastian is an easy add and resign. BMW isn't as good as the attention it gets, but it's certainly a decent 4th line. Probably say goodbye to Woody and keep Lazar.

Also: While I miss Fabian Z, offering sheeting and screwing the GM who just made a major trade with you is not good business. IF Fitzy wants him back, he should offer a pick or alternate prospect. But I'd leave it alone...

It's pretty simple for me. When it comes to the RFAs:

-Timo and Bratt are in the same boat: Gotta get them signed long term no matter what. Just get it done. If it's looking like one or both aren't willing to accept more than a 1 year deal and want to go to arbitration then you need to deal them.

-Sharangovich and Boqvist are in the same boat: Fgure out which one is better suited for this team in the bottom 6, and sign him to a short term deal. Trade the other(I'd keep Bo and trade Shara personally)

-Bastian: Fine to keep, 1-2 year 'show me you belong on this team' deal imo. But he is pretty easily replaceable in FA market if it comes to that.

-McLeod: The most important 4th liner on the team. I'd make him a priority over Bastian. Gotta keep him if he's not going to prison. 3 year deal imo.

-Bahl: obviously will be re-signed and on the opening night lineup as a regular

-Blackwood: See ya.

UFAs:

-Haula and Tatar are in the same boat: Wouldn't mind seeing both of them back, but i think Haula is valued more by management and the staff. Tatar showed why he's been a healthy scratch in the playoffs in multiple previous teams and I think that'll hurt his chances of coming back. Make Haula the priority. I would give Haula a 3 or 4 year deal, and hope he goes cheaper on the AAV because of how much he wants to be here. I would offer Tatar another 2 year deal, ~3.5M AAV. Take it or leave it.

-Graves: Not much to say here. He's not coming back. He's a fine 3rd pairing D but is going to make way too much money for that role on this team. He'll get his money elsewhere.

-Severson: Would love to have him back but he's for sure outpaced himself. Seems likely he gets 6x6 and we just can't do that.

-Wood: See ya.

@samwoo you’re done bro, don’t ever post about that lame ass podcast here ever again either.

Nice write up Josh! Hope you can take over the Devils blog on here!

I wasn't done with the last blog yet.

I wasn't done with the last blog yet.
- Pomegrant

Sorry dude. We didn’t catch the Hurricanes. Time to move on….

Sorry dude. We didn’t catch the Hurricanes. Time to move on….
- Queenie_5_hole

only time will tell

I wonder who the guest writer is 🤨

Guest Writer: Free Agency: RFAs - Sign or Trade
- Eklund

I’m not against bringing Bastian back, but hopefully wood is gone. Not sure if it was entirely woods fault but our fourth line would get caught out there all the time against a teams top line and they would get their poop pushed in almost nightly. If it were possible to upgrade Wood and Bastian that would be great of course but trying to find those grit players that also have a strong possession game is difficult. You also don’t want to tie up to much cash on the fourth line when you have players like bratt that think they’re worth marner money.

I wonder who the guest writer is 🤨
- MartysBetter88

It says his name at the bottom of the blog

It's pretty simple for me. When it comes to the RFAs:

-Timo and Bratt are in the same boat: Gotta get them signed long term no matter what. Just get it done. If it's looking like one or both aren't willing to accept more than a 1 year deal and want to go to arbitration then you need to deal them.

-Sharangovich and Boqvist are in the same boat: Fgure out which one is better suited for this team in the bottom 6, and sign him to a short term deal. Trade the other(I'd keep Bo and trade Shara personally)

-Bastian: Fine to keep, 1-2 year 'show me you belong on this team' deal imo. But he is pretty easily replaceable in FA market if it comes to that.

-McLeod: The most important 4th liner on the team. I'd make him a priority over Bastian. Gotta keep him if he's not going to prison. 3 year deal imo.

-Bahl: obviously will be re-signed and on the opening night lineup as a regular

-Blackwood: See ya.

UFAs:

-Haula and Tatar are in the same boat: Wouldn't mind seeing both of them back, but i think Haula is valued more by management and the staff. Tatar showed why he's been a healthy scratch in the playoffs in multiple previous teams and I think that'll hurt his chances of coming back. Make Haula the priority. I would give Haula a 3 or 4 year deal, and hope he goes cheaper on the AAV because of how much he wants to be here. I would offer Tatar another 2 year deal, ~3.5M AAV. Take it or leave it.

-Graves: Not much to say here. He's not coming back. He's a fine 3rd pairing D but is going to make way too much money for that role on this team. He'll get his money elsewhere.

-Severson: Would love to have him back but he's for sure outpaced himself. Seems likely he gets 6x6 and we just can't do that.

-Wood: See ya.
- vlongo4419

Agreed .. i’d like to see huala over tatar and yegor over boquist as they need some spots for youngsters and a ufa signging

Evolving Hockey has Bastian's next deal predicted at 2 years for just under $1.8M per.

It's pretty simple for me. When it comes to the RFAs:

-Timo and Bratt are in the same boat: Gotta get them signed long term no matter what. Just get it done. If it's looking like one or both aren't willing to accept more than a 1 year deal and want to go to arbitration then you need to deal them.

-Sharangovich and Boqvist are in the same boat: Fgure out which one is better suited for this team in the bottom 6, and sign him to a short term deal. Trade the other(I'd keep Bo and trade Shara personally)

-Bastian: Fine to keep, 1-2 year 'show me you belong on this team' deal imo. But he is pretty easily replaceable in FA market if it comes to that.

-McLeod: The most important 4th liner on the team. I'd make him a priority over Bastian. Gotta keep him if he's not going to prison. 3 year deal imo.

-Bahl: obviously will be re-signed and on the opening night lineup as a regular

-Blackwood: See ya.

UFAs:

-Haula and Tatar are in the same boat: Wouldn't mind seeing both of them back, but i think Haula is valued more by management and the staff. Tatar showed why he's been a healthy scratch in the playoffs in multiple previous teams and I think that'll hurt his chances of coming back. Make Haula the priority. I would give Haula a 3 or 4 year deal, and hope he goes cheaper on the AAV because of how much he wants to be here. I would offer Tatar another 2 year deal, ~3.5M AAV. Take it or leave it.

-Graves: Not much to say here. He's not coming back. He's a fine 3rd pairing D but is going to make way too much money for that role on this team. He'll get his money elsewhere.

-Severson: Would love to have him back but he's for sure outpaced himself. Seems likely he gets 6x6 and we just can't do that.

-Wood: See ya.
- vlongo4419

Courtesy of Evolving Hockey:

Severson: 6 years at $6.2M per
Graves: 4 years at $4.8M per
Haula: 3 years at $4M per
Tatar: 3 years at $3.9M per

Evolving Hockey has Bastian's next deal predicted at 2 years for just under $1.8M per.
- kingcong39

These guys are usually pretty good but I can't really see Bastian making much more than league minimum. Completely replaceable part that just happens to be a fan favorite.

Courtesy of Evolving Hockey:

Severson: 6 years at $6.2M per
Graves: 4 years at $4.8M per
Haula: 3 years at $4M per
Tatar: 3 years at $3.9M per
- kingcong39

Yep, i posted them for all the Devils RFAs and UFAs in the previous thread when they were released a week or two ago.

Evolving Hockey has Bastian's next deal predicted at 2 years for just under $1.8M per.
- kingcong39

I hope that’s not what he’s looking for because he can take a hike if that’s the case.

Courtesy of Evolving Hockey:

Severson: 6 years at $6.2M per
Graves: 4 years at $4.8M per
Haula: 3 years at $4M per
Tatar: 3 years at $3.9M per
- kingcong39

Thanks for posting

We need a lot more from haula in the regular season for that kind of money

Yep, i posted them for all the Devils RFAs and UFAs in the previous thread when they were released a week or two ago.
- vlongo4419

Thanks, the last blog wasn't up long enough for us to get a look at the list of RFA's and UFA's

Thanks, the last blog wasn't up long enough for us to get a look at the list of RFA's and UFA's
- Crushers68

Fitz not being a finalist for GM of the year is crazy to me.

Fitz not being a finalist for GM of the year is crazy to me.
- vlongo4419

It takes a special kind of GM to ride the coattails of your two goalies on career seasons, get the most points in league history, and then lose spectacularly in the first round.