Devils 2020-21 team discussion (news, notes and speculation) - part VIII

[Jersey Fan 12]

Severson is a #2 and people need to start accepting that as his role

Why does he get so much hate by Devils fans?

Believe the animosity towards Severson comes from the dark period last season - when due to the lack of scoring every forced play he made would be magnified since each goal against seemed critical.

Like the rest of the D corps, they were also exposed more than most teams since they were constantly under duress with sometimes flawed support from the forwards.

In these discussions I am a bit puzzled by the lack of inclusion of both Josh Jacobs and Colin White - it seems some Devils' fans are dismissive of their homegrown prospects while covetting the shiny toys with which other teams are willing to part.

 

[NJDevs26]

Jacobs and White haven't really shown any offensive aptitude as a pro and White doesn't have the size to play a Ben Lovejoy-type game. At most either guy's a back pairing/#7 defenseman, which isn't going to get buzz. Pronman didn't even name them in his organizational rankings post on The Athletic, where he threw in his top dozen and another twelve or so honorable mentions.

Plus Jacobs was a second-round pick from the pre-Shero days who's been in the AHL for four full seasons while White was a fourth-rounder that hasn't really popped. People just aren't gonna look at them as potential top four guys the way they do Ty Smith (first round pick), Kevin Bahl (traded for, more recent second-round pick) or even the Russian kid drafted this year in the first round.

 

[CR76]

I shopped one and put it in the jersey thread but I'll put it here.

Actually, I would make the torso and lower sleeve area black...but keep the green stripes on the sleeves (the ones outlined by the white border stripes) and the lower green stripe at the bottom of the jersey. I think this way the green areas would really pop, and you'd wind up with a both a black and red and red and green retro jersey, all in one fell swoop.

Anyway you could shop that, just to see what it would look like?

 

[Guadana]

Believe the animosity towards Severson comes from the dark period last season - when due to the lack of scoring every forced play he made would be magnified since each goal against seemed critical.

Like the rest of the D corps, they were also exposed more than most teams since they were constantly under duress with sometimes flawed support from the forwards.

In these discussions I am a bit puzzled by the lack of inclusion of both Josh Jacobs and Colin White - it seems some Devils' fans are dismissive of their homegrown prospects while covetting the shiny toys with which other teams are willing to part.

Jacobs and White were not good in NJD, were not flashy or pretty good in Bingo. I put the blame on the previous system. I'm little bit sad that Mermis left.

 

[Jersey Fan 12]

Jacobs and White were not good in NJD, were not flashy or pretty good in Bingo. I put the blame on the previous system. I'm little bit sad that Mermis left.

Actually think you nail it. A lot of people are down on Jacobs because he was drafted in 2014 while in reality his development is about where it should be had he played all four years of college then turned pro.

The reference to Mermis is spot on and applies to both Jacobs and White.

While the Quinn Hughes and Cole Makars are the rage, the majority of NHL defenseman need AHL time to develop (the Islanders' Ryan Pulock or Bruins' Connor Clifton would be great examples of that).

Jacobs was a career-best +16 last year and seems physically and tactically ready for the NHL.

 

[Guadana]

Actually think you nail it. A lot of people are down on Jacobs because he was drafted in 2014 while in reality his development is about where it should be had he played all four years of college then turned pro.

The reference to Mermis is spot on and applies to both Jacobs and White.

While the Quinn Hughes and Cole Makars are the rage, the majority of NHL defenseman need AHL time to develop (the Islanders' Ryan Pulock or Bruins' Connor Clifton would be great examples of that).

Jacobs was a career-best +16 last year and seems physically and tactically ready for the NHL.

I agree that defensemen need time.
At the same time, Jacobs has opportunities. White did not perform well, and now there is a lot of competition for his position in both the NHL and the AHL.

 

[tailfins]

I agree that defensemen need time.
At the same time, Jacobs has opportunities. White did not perform well, and now there is a lot of competition for his position in both the NHL and the AHL.

Well, White is a left shot D. Not much competition at the NHL level right now. If Murray and Kulikov go down, we may see White. But, longer term, if White doesn't show something this year, I agree he doesn't have much of a future here.

Jacobs, OTOH, is one of the few RD the Devils have. And, McCarthy seems like the only guy who profiles similarly in the system. Agree that, at the moment, Jacobs seems like "just a guy", but he's got the advantage of already being here.

 

[Guadana]

Well, White is a left shot D. Not much competition at the NHL level right now. If Murray and Kulikov go down, we may see White. But, longer term, if White doesn't show something this year, I agree he doesn't have much of a future here.

Jacobs, OTOH, is one of the few RD the Devils have. And, McCarthy seems like the only guy who profiles similarly in the system. Agree that, at the moment, Jacobs seems like "just a guy", but he's got the advantage of already being here.

If Smith will play on left side, White must wait. And on the other side, he has a competitor Bahl. White is in an unpleasant position.

 

[LeedsMonster]

Trade idea out of boredom

To NJ
Boychuk, Dal Colle, 1st
To NYI
Carrick, Seney
How far off am I?

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

I have simply no interest in acquiring Boychuk's boat anchor contract

 

[LeedsMonster]

I have simply no interest in acquiring Boychuk's boat anchor contract

You think were going to stand pat?

 

[Brodeur]

Trade idea out of boredom

To NJ
Boychuk, Dal Colle, 1st
To NYI
Carrick, Seney
How far off am I?

It's plausible. Using the Carolina/Marleau trade a comparable, it cost Toronto their (protected) first rounder to dump Marleau (6.25 mil cap hit, 3.83 mil in actual buyout money). Boychuk's cap hit is 6 mil, but has 5.25 mil remaining total for the next two seasons. A hypothetical June 2021 buyout of his final year wouldn't net much relief in cap or actual money since the majority of his last year is in signing bonus money.

That'd probably be a decision which ownership gets involved. It seemed like Columbus turned down the chance to buyout Marleau's deal simply because they didn't think a mid-to-late first round pick was worth 3.83 million.

 

[AfroThunder396]

Boychuk is a 36 year old replacement level player signed for two more years. I would want more than a 1st and an AHL player.

 

[MartyOwns]

Trade idea out of boredom

To NJ
Boychuk, Dal Colle, 1st
To NYI
Carrick, Seney
How far off am I?

i wouldn’t hate it but i’d rather sub someone better over dal colle if we’re taking boychuk’s contract. then you can change their 1st to a 3rd.

 

[ChicksDigTheTrap]

It's plausible. Using the Carolina/Marleau trade a comparable, it cost Toronto their (protected) first rounder to dump Marleau (6.25 mil cap hit, 3.83 mil in actual buyout money). Boychuk's cap hit is 6 mil, but has 5.25 mil remaining total for the next two seasons. A hypothetical June 2021 buyout of his final year wouldn't net much relief in cap or actual money since the majority of his last year is in signing bonus money.

That'd probably be a decision which ownership gets involved. It seemed like Columbus turned down the chance to buyout Marleau's deal simply because they didn't think a mid-to-late first round pick was worth 3.83 million.

I just cannot imagine having $15 mil tied up in Subban and Boychuk for the next two years. I cannot think of many ways that are a worse way to spend 18 plus percent of your cap.

 

[Hischier and Hughes]

As much as Id like another defenseman, I dont see it happening

As for forwards.. id love to keep what we have as is. Give a few kids a chance that youd normally sign out for a FA or two.

We arent expecting to be anything more than a wild card team so I dont think Fitzgerald is racing to add another forward

2021’s offseason is where we will splash I think, barring the kids shows some major steps in development

 

[Brodeur]

I just cannot imagine having $15 mil tied up in Subban and Boychuk for the next two years. I cannot think of many ways that are a worse way to spend 18 plus percent of your cap.

In terms of salary, Boychuk is actually due slightly less than Carrick (1.25 vs. 1.5) which might be more important to ownership. 15 mil in cap on Subban/Boychuk isn't great, but I don't think we're spending to the cap this year or next year but both guys would be off the books by the time Hughes needs his next deal. I haven't watched a ton of the Islanders recently, so I can't say if Boychuk has enough left in the tank to fill the Ben Lovejoy 3rd pair/PK specialist spot. And I can't say for sure ownership would be cool with spending 3+ mil in real cash on a good but probably not premium draft pick.

And not to say that I'm hoping this is the best scenario that I'm hoping for; Definitely thinking the Devils (plus the other few teams with cap space) are patiently trying to wait for Tampa's hands to be forced.

 

[ChicksDigTheTrap]

In terms of salary, Boychuk is actually due slightly less than Carrick (1.25 vs. 1.5) which might be more important to ownership. 15 mil in cap on Subban/Boychuk isn't great, but I don't think we're spending to the cap this year or next year but both guys would be off the books by the time Hughes needs his next deal. I haven't watched a ton of the Islanders recently, so I can't say if Boychuk has enough left in the tank to fill the Ben Lovejoy 3rd pair/PK specialist spot. And I can't say for sure ownership would be cool with spending 3+ mil in real cash on a good but probably not premium draft pick.

And not to say that I'm hoping this is the best scenario that I'm hoping for; Definitely thinking the Devils (plus the other few teams with cap space) are patiently trying to wait for Tampa's hands to be forced.

I have not calculated recently but taking on Boychuk at $6 would put the Devils right up near the cap. At this point the Devils will play in the low to mid $70's. I want to stay there unless the cap is going to a good young player.

 

[Guttersniped]

In terms of salary, Boychuk is actually due slightly less than Carrick (1.25 vs. 1.5) which might be more important to ownership. 15 mil in cap on Subban/Boychuk isn't great, but I don't think we're spending to the cap this year or next year but both guys would be off the books by the time Hughes needs his next deal. I haven't watched a ton of the Islanders recently, so I can't say if Boychuk has enough left in the tank to fill the Ben Lovejoy 3rd pair/PK specialist spot. And I can't say for sure ownership would be cool with spending 3+ mil in real cash on a good but probably not premium draft pick.

And not to say that I'm hoping this is the best scenario that I'm hoping for; Definitely thinking the Devils (plus the other few teams with cap space) are patiently trying to wait for Tampa's hands to be forced.

Boychuk is only owed 1.25m this year but he’s making 4m next year and he sucks at this point so it would take more than Lou would likely want to give to sacrifice 6m x 2 of cap space for that lump.

The Marleau deal isn’t analogous in frozen cap market. More teams could spare that cap space then, it was really a question of which team was willing to spend 3.8m on a 1st. Now it’s Cap Armageddon with no revenue coming and teams aren’t going to want to get saddled with multi-year cap dumps when the cap is frozen next off-season as well.

Really other than swapping problem contracts, teams have only made cap related moves when they had to in order to make room for a UFA signing or were forced to because an RFA had arbitration rights. (Anderson and Domi might not have filed for arbitration but whatever, who can explain anything Bergevin does anyway.) I do feel like teams in cap trouble are waiting for the 20-21 season to start looking a lot more definite before they start sacrificing assets to move a bad contract to get under the limit.

 

[Camille the Eel]

Boychuck is done as an effective player. If you are taking on a cap hit for something else (a pick) or someone else (a player or prospect), tell who or what that is. Can’t imagine though.

Really not interested in Johnny Rocket. Big part of the Bruins 2012 cup season. Which is nearly 10 years.

 

[Bleedred]

I’m bored out of my mind. When does hockey start?

Can we argue about Schneider or something?

 

[glenwo2]

I’m bored out of my mind. When does hockey start?

Can we argue about Schneider or something?

I'm seriously bored and if the January start date is legit, we're going to be bored for at least another month.

 

[TBF1972]

I would think a condensed schedule is a negative for our young guys

It takes away time to themselves, time to recover and replenish, time in between games is shorter and they dont have that peak adult stamina, etc..

Also less practices and time for outside development/education including tape and personal training

there are physical and mental requirements to get through a nhl season (condensed or not). the wear and tear catches up with most of the players, by either being banged up, hitting the rookie wall or simply not playing consistently. the mental aspect carries a heavier load, if there's a lack of positive results. physically recharging is normally not an issue for young athletes.

 

[Guadana]

I’m bored out of my mind. When does hockey start?

Can we argue about Schneider or something?

Yeah. Schneider was the stupidiest pick in the first round this year )

 

[Billdo]

I dig it.