Monahan and Toffoli on a line together that cost a 1st, 2nd and two 3rds (conditional) to acquire.
Admittedly, we paid less considering we dumped Kuzmenko but damn if it doesn't feel a little disappointing how much better value Winnipeg got.
I said at the time, considering the price paid for Toffoli, that was one they really missed out on.
Devils are a grim reminder that 'improvement' in the NHL is never linear. In one season everything goes right and the team improbably makes the playoffs.
Then the following year, everything goes wrong; the injuries pile up; and the coach walks the plank. Replacing Lindy Ruff with Travis Green seemed like a move borne of desperation.
But if the Devils miss as expected, this is all on the GM. Why he waited most of the year to address the black hole in goal is a complete mystery. Cost them the season.
The goaltending is obviously a huge issue, and a complete failure to address it by Fitzgerald.
But as someone who follows the Devils closely, the GM's biggest mistake was really not addressing the coaching sooner. Lindy managed the team hideously. Even last season, his decision-making was awful and they won in spite of his mis-management. Fitz wasted the season with Lindy.
TG was the assistant coach. He's coming in as the interim, and a HC decision will be made in the offseason. That's not really a desperation move, more of a "giving up now" move. But they couldn't have Ruff remain as HC any longer.