Devils team discussion (news, notes and speculation) - offseason edition

[Camille the Eel]

Cirelli is one of the best defensive forwards in the league. He is not a depth player.

He’s also very likely capable of producing a good deal more offensively if put in a role that demanded it. First class 2 way center, he is and relatively young I believe.

It actually happens all the time. Go find Larsson scouting reports "smooth skating", "excellent skater"....tons of it. It was simply wrong.

So many scouting reports I've seen over the years will say a poor skater is good... most often usually "for a big man"

Scouts have a long history of missing skating issues I don't know why...I saw Dylan McIlrath one game at Traverse City and a made small comment here(main board) that "that kid can't skate"...out flew all the scouting quotes "moves well for a big man", "powerful stride"....no, those reports were all wrong.

If I really sit down and think about it I bet I find a dozen examples of obviously poor skaters with scouts saying how good they skate predraft...I think it's largely an effect of watching the players against mostly other poor skaters in lower leagues and never seeing the deficiencies until the player is tested against better players.

Scouting is only as good as the scouts judgment. They aren’t all created equal or you wouldn’t have these misjudgments. A good GM or personnel director himself has good judgment about who’s judgment he trusts.

 

[Oneiro]

Skating is one of those discussions I find incredibly disingenuous from every analyst, Button, Pronman, etc. to posters on this board.

You know what good to great skating looks like - Fowler, Hughes, etc. It's unfair because it excludes most players but that benchmark should always be at the forefront when discussing prospects because most of them don't meet it - but they're going on to play in a league where the durable players often do. Completely agree that pre-draft skating reports are some of the biggest BS you've ever read.

 

[Poppy Whoa Sonnet]

Genuinely surprised by the results of this poll:

Best player in franchise history-New Jersey Devils

Previous poll winners Toronto Maple Leafs: Auston Matthews (30.5%) Montreal Canadiens: Jean Beliveau (43.8) New York Rangers: Brian Leetch (48.5%) Chicago Blackhawks: Bobby Hull (57.0%) Detroit Red Wings: Gordie Howe (81.4%) Boston Bruins: Bobby Orr (88.4%) St. Louis Blues: Brett Hull (80.5%)...

hfboards.mandatory.com

I voted Stevens but only because I may have been brainwashed by Brodeur is a Fraud, certainly didn't expect Brodeur to run away with it.

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

Genuinely surprised by the results of this poll:

Best player in franchise history-New Jersey Devils

Previous poll winners Toronto Maple Leafs: Auston Matthews (30.5%) Montreal Canadiens: Jean Beliveau (43.8) New York Rangers: Brian Leetch (48.5%) Chicago Blackhawks: Bobby Hull (57.0%) Detroit Red Wings: Gordie Howe (81.4%) Boston Bruins: Bobby Orr (88.4%) St. Louis Blues: Brett Hull (80.5%)...

hfboards.mandatory.com

I voted Stevens but only because I may have been brainwashed by Brodeur is a Fraud, certainly didn't expect Brodeur to run away with it.

Broduer, Stevens, Elias in that top 3

 

[JimEIV]

Stevens changed the franchise. When he came to NJ it was like switch had been flipped.

Brodeur is the best in franchise history...but I'm not 100% sure he achieves the heights he did without Stevens.

Stevens was a truly special player.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

We’re told by one informant that New Jersey may attempt to jump the process by dealing for the 30-year-old’s rights if the Maple Leafs cannot or will not extend the netminder, who started more than 26 games (47) in a season for the first time in his career.

The idea would be to move Mackenzie Blackwood, whose career has somehow careened off course during a couple of drama-filled seasons this fragile team does not need. It also does not need an older veteran coming off injuries to serve as the backup; e.g., Corey Crawford; Jonathan Bernier.

We’re hearing as well that the Devils could have interest in Alex Georgiev if he becomes unrestricted this summer, but likely as part of a tandem operation rather than as a No. 1.

It is unlikely that the Blueshirts would send No. 40’s rights to New Jersey without an overpay, though if Michael McLeod becomes part of the conversation, I’d be all in.

 

[MauDevils]

With our luck Campbell will injure his wrist while signing the contract.

 

[ScottyK]

With our luck Campbell will injure his wrist while signing the contract.

IR-Campbell - wrist amputation- DTD

 

[Forge]

 

[Emperoreddy]

Would be quite the task, but I'll be honest, I would be very ok with a Campbell/Georgiov tandem next season. I'll move on from Blackwood for that

 

[goonybird]

More people think Alfredsson than Mogilny. Just end this planet, the project is over.

 

[TheUnseenHand]

More people think Alfredsson than Mogilny. Just end this planet, the project is over.

It's just about the markets those guys played in. That's it.

 

[Setec Astronomy]

Would be quite the task, but I'll be honest, I would be very ok with a Campbell/Georgiov tandem next season. I'll move on from Blackwood for that

Georgiev is trash. I’d rather see what we have with Blackwood.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

I'll always be a Georgiev fan for what he did to that turd Deangelo

 

[My3Sons]

Broduer, Stevens, Elias in that top 3

That’s the top three after Lovejoy?

 

[glenwo2]

No real news other than at least we're not losing Bryce to a coaching job it would seem, although I wouldn't mind him on our bench

He is not interested in doing PbP? Weird considering his recent statement here :

“I don’t have a passion for coaching,” Salvador said. “I like the business side of the game –– the hockey operations, the player development. I’ve always gravitated towards that. There might be a combination of that tied in with the broadcasting."

“I don’t have a definitive end game here. I really enjoy the broadcasting and slowly adding more involvement with the Devils and looking to do more things with them.”

Ex-Devils captain, MSG analyst Bryce Salvador has front office aspirations

MSG rinkside analyst and former Devils captain Bryce Salvador aspires to work in the Devils' front office in a unique role.

www.nj.com

I'm guessing he's just enjoying where he is right now and will look to move on if the opportunity presents itself here in the organization.

Too bad, though.

He would've made a hell of a coach.

 

[RSeen]

From a team building perspective, if we can get Severson on a reasonable deal, it could make sense to keep him.

Having a potential shut-down pair with him and Siegs could be invaluable playoff time, similar to how Tampa plays Mcdonagh-Cernak, letting Hedman play weaker competition and getting more offensive zone starts.

Could allow us to roll out L. Hughes and Dougie in more offensive situations at even strength.

I'm not sure I'd want Dougie to have to be in a situation where he has to play shut-down minutes...Severson proved he is capable.

 

[Billdo]

From a team building perspective, if we can get Severson on a reasonable deal, it could make sense to keep him.

Having a potential shut-down pair with him and Siegs could be invaluable playoff time, similar to how Tampa plays Mcdonagh-Cernak, letting Hedman play weaker competition and getting more offensive zone starts.

Could allow us to roll out L. Hughes and Dougie in more offensive situations at even strength.

I'm not sure I'd want Dougie to have to be in a situation where he has to play shut-down minutes...Severson proved he is capable.

I really think it would be a smart move to sign him. We've got to improve the D as a whole and losing him creates another void to fill with absolutely nothing internally.

 

[RSeen]

I really think it would be a smart move to sign him. We've got to improve the D as a whole and losing him creates another void to fill with absolutely nothing internally.

People underrate his defensive game because historically he has made big glaring errors but he is very good in that area. He can also move the puck well and continue to help in the transition game.

He would be very difficult to replace. I think we need to keep him and try to get him for a 6 year term though he could require a 7 year contract.

 

[Saugus]

Genuinely surprised by the results of this poll:

Best player in franchise history-New Jersey Devils

Previous poll winners Toronto Maple Leafs: Auston Matthews (30.5%) Montreal Canadiens: Jean Beliveau (43.8) New York Rangers: Brian Leetch (48.5%) Chicago Blackhawks: Bobby Hull (57.0%) Detroit Red Wings: Gordie Howe (81.4%) Boston Bruins: Bobby Orr (88.4%) St. Louis Blues: Brett Hull (80.5%)...

hfboards.mandatory.com

I voted Stevens but only because I may have been brainwashed by Brodeur is a Fraud, certainly didn't expect Brodeur to run away with it.

The only correct answer to that poll is Brodeur. Marty and the Devils are virtually synonymous to anybody who watched hockey at any point during the 90s or 2000s.

 

[Bleedred]

Where is the Georgiev stuff coming from?

Honestly, I don't think he's any better than Blackwood, so I'd rather just keep Blackwood.

 

[glenwo2]

Where is the Georgiev stuff coming from?

Honestly, I don't think he's any better than Blackwood, so I'd rather just keep Blackwood.

I'd rather YOU became Goaltender of the Devils at this point.

 

[Oneiro]

Elias not being in the HoF is still bullshit to me.

I missed the first half of their careers, but I question if - over the course of their entire careers, not peak point seasons - guys like Recchi, Andreychuk and Ciccarrelli were truly better than him.

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

Where is the Georgiev stuff coming from?

Honestly, I don't think he's any better than Blackwood, so I'd rather just keep Blackwood.

Brooks

 

[Billdo]

People underrate his defensive game because historically he has made big glaring errors but he is very good in that area. He can also move the puck well and continue to help in the transition game.

He would be very difficult to replace. I think we need to keep him and try to get him for a 6 year term though he could require a 7 year contract.

His gaffes are usually egregious but fortunately not THAT often imo. I think he'd be an extremely hot commodity at the deadline or in free agency. Fitz should absolutely try to sign him.