Confirmed with Link: Devils sign Yohann Auvitu

[Stephen Gionta]

But he will be 27 this offseason, where as Mozik turned 23 in Dec. Auvitu also fits that Shero mold in terms of smooth skating d-man.

And the coup de gras, he's a lefty.

I think Auvitu will get a real look with Merrill out, and if he impresses then I could see him sticking around for a good while.

Does a move like this signify they won't be looking at a bigger name UFA? Maybe.

No waaayy. Shero will definitely be looking to upgrade the blue line. I think its pretty clear its a necessity going into the offseason. One injury to Larsson or Greene and the D is screwed.

Hoping the D depth is something like:
1. Greene
2. Larsson
3. UFA D (Goligoski, Demers, Yandle... maybe Campbell, Russell)
4. Severson
5. Schlemko (definitely resign him)
6. Moore
7. Merrill
8. Helgeson
9-12 Santini, Auvitu, Mozik, Hrabarenka

 

[devilsblood]

No waaayy. Shero will definitely be looking to upgrade the blue line. I think its pretty clear its a necessity going into the offseason. One injury to Larsson or Greene and the D is screwed.

Hoping the D depth is something like:
1. Greene
2. Larsson
3. UFA D (Goligoski, Demers, Yandle... maybe Campbell, Russell)
4. Severson
5. Schlemko (definitely resign him)
6. Moore
7. Merrill
8. Helgeson
9-12 Santini, Auvitu, Mozik, Hrabarenka

But are they looking to give a 5 yr+ deal for these 30 yr old d-men? I'm not sure that is the plan. It might be, but they did sign Moore just last year and he still has 2 years left, do they sign Schlem? Are they looking to push Merrill to the press box? We do have #'s, both at the NHL and AHL levels, not proven top 4's, but there are still a bunch of guys.

I really don't see them going big in UFA as a definite. Again, maybe.

 

[Stephen Gionta]

But are they looking to give a 5 yr+ deal for these 30 yr old d-men? I'm not sure that is the plan. It might be, but they did sign Moore just last year and he still has 2 years left, do they sign Schlem? Are they looking to push Merrill to the press box? We do have #'s, both at the NHL and AHL levels, not proven top 4's, but there are still a bunch of guys.

I really don't see them going big in UFA as a definite. Again, maybe.

With the Devils current cap situation, there's a chance they'll be able to shed a year or two off a deal with a UFA D by offering a little more AAV.

I think resigning Schlemko is important and I also think Merrill should be in the press box until he proves he shouldn't be. Ideally, Merrill should start the season as the 7th D, IMO.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

But he will be 27 this offseason, where as Mozik turned 23 in Dec. Auvitu also fits that Shero mold in terms of smooth skating d-man.

And the coup de gras, he's a lefty.

I think Auvitu will get a real look with Merrill out, and if he impresses then I could see him sticking around for a good while.

Does a move like this signify they won't be looking at a bigger name UFA? Maybe.

oh God, I pray that that isn't the case

I don't think Shero is that dumb

 

[devilsblood]

With the Devils current cap situation, there's a chance they'll be able to shed a year or two off a deal with a UFA D by offering a little more AAV.

I think resigning Schlemko is important and I also think Merrill should be in the press box until he proves he shouldn't be. Ideally, Merrill should start the season as the 7th D, IMO.

It'll be interesting to see how they move fwd. Yes they have a ton of money to work with, they could def make a splash, but maybe when they came on they said, let's build this slow. During the season I was thinking for sure they needed to go out and make some big signings, but now I'd be OK with continuing to stockpile the system.

As far as Merrill, the injury puts him in a tough spot, he could very well come back and not have a chance to prove himself. If they do go out and sign a prove top 4 lhd, he could 5th on lhd depth chart. Such a move would signal that they are moving on. Which is partly why I don't see such a move as a definite.

 

[devilsblood]

oh God, I pray that that isn't the case

I don't think Shero is that dumb

It's not about smart or dumb, it's about the plan.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

It's not about smart or dumb, it's about the plan.

if his "plan" includes having a guy from the Finnish league step right in and be a top 4 DMan, he IS dumb

 

[devilsblood]

if his "plan" includes having a guy from the Finnish league step right in and be a top 4 DMan, he IS dumb

It's not: either big name ufa, or Auvitu. There are other options. See last years roster for details.

 

[Stephen Gionta]

It'll be interesting to see how they move fwd. Yes they have a ton of money to work with, they could def make a splash, but maybe when they came on they said, let's build this slow. During the season I was thinking for sure they needed to go out and make some big signings, but now I'd be OK with continuing to stockpile the system.

As far as Merrill, the injury puts him in a tough spot, he could very well come back and not have a chance to prove himself. If they do go out and sign a prove top 4 lhd, he could 5th on lhd depth chart. Such a move would signal that they are moving on. Which is partly why I don't see such a move as a definite.

One of the LHD would likely move to the right side. Because as of now, our depth on the right side is
Larsson
Severson
Santini/Mozik

 

[Emperoreddy]

With the Devils current cap situation, there's a chance they'll be able to shed a year or two off a deal with a UFA D by offering a little more AAV.

I think resigning Schlemko is important and I also think Merrill should be in the press box until he proves he shouldn't be. Ideally, Merrill should start the season as the 7th D, IMO.

Merrill needs to play to develop. There is no ideal in that. You don't give up on a 24 year old under 200 games defender.

Also there isn't a defender outside of Gogo who odds are will not leave Dallas that can fill in on the left of Greene gets hurt.

We don't want Yandle on a top pairing. Honestly don't want Yabdle period at what he will make.

You also can't just assume someone is going to switch sides either.

Shero will resign Schelmko and maybe make one more depth signing and for the most part run the same D as we did last year game 1 minus Gelly.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

honestly, I'd be shocked if Schlemko isn't back based on our situation and what Shero and Schlemko have said

 

[mtnet]

With the Devils current cap situation, there's a chance they'll be able to shed a year or two off a deal with a UFA D by offering a little more AAV.

I think resigning Schlemko is important and I also think Merrill should be in the press box until he proves he shouldn't be. Ideally, Merrill should start the season as the 7th D, IMO.

precisely my thoughts on those two

I think we should sign schlemko, he outperformed the very meager expectations of him last season and turned out to be quite the bargain

I'm no fan of merrill really, and following this recent surgery I'm feeling even less confident having him on board than before

that said, I have optimistic thoughts about the auvitu signing and hope he makes a good showing at camp

 

[Sascha Goc]

I have no idea how this guy will pan out but this is all I hear when I see his name