Devils Team Discussion (team/player news and notes) ‎2015 offseason IV

[NJDevs26]

Shero's back in the country and Babwatch is over...maybe now we'll see his first real moves as a GM.

Click to read more...

 

[glenwo2]

I thought we were "discussing" Cory vs. 4 Top-6 forwards, NJDevs26?

 

[NJDevs26]

Just so long as we're not debating Buffalo and Edmonton AGAIN in this thread...keep this to team discussion.

 

[theoptimist]

In terms of active defensemen, who does Severson compare to? I believe he could reach Pietrangelo's level of play. Any thoughts?

 

[Devils Dominion]

Shero interview with Rich Chere

http://www.nj.com/devils/index.ssf/..._coaching_search_trad.html#incart_more_sports

 

[Marshal Rochambeau]

Salvador was named captain for some reason. I wonder if he could be a good special assignment coach.

 

[Emperoreddy]

Salvador was named captain for some reason. I wonder if he could be a good special assignment coach.

He definitely could. Sal is a smart hockey guy and knows defense. Age and injury is why he fell apart, not because he didn't know how to play.

 

[JimEIV]

Shero interview with Rich Chere

http://www.nj.com/devils/index.ssf/..._coaching_search_trad.html#incart_more_sports

Well I do find this thought process extremely encouraging


Do you envision Travis Zajac as a first-, second- or third-line center?

"I'm not sure in terms of first-, second- or third-line center. I don't think it really matters. I don't know how many No. 1 centers there are in the league. Look around. I need good players and good depth."

 

[MichaelJ]

Well I do find this thought process extremely encouraging


Do you envision Travis Zajac as a first-, second- or third-line center?

"I'm not sure in terms of first-, second- or third-line center. I don't think it really matters. I don't know how many No. 1 centers there are in the league. Look around. I need good players and good depth."

At least he recognizes the need for depth. I'll take 9 very good players over 2 elite and 7 warm bodies.

 

[JimEIV]

At least he recognizes the need for depth. I'll take 9 very good players over 2 elite and 7 warm bodies.

The underlying issue is that is exactly what he built in Pittsburgh.


Edit:
But let me say, I don't fault him for that...It sounds weird but I think star players can handcuff a GM and an organization... you're not going to get rid of them and you can't under pay them and you do give them market value you can't afford other things...it is a conundrum.

 

[Classic Devil]

The underlying issue is that is exactly what he built in Pittsburgh

Though that sort of is an inevitability after you get Crosby and Malkin, unless you trade one.

 

[MichaelJ]

The underlying issue is that is exactly what he built in Pittsburgh

I'd hardly call James Neal a warm body, same for Staal. He walked into a situation with 2 all world centers. He doesn't have that luxury (or crutch) here.

 

[R8Devs]

I wish there wasn't such a backlash for offersheeting players. Devils have the flexibility to do something like offering a contract to Tarasenko especially with the new compensation they wouldn't have to give up 4 first round picks even with a really high contract.

Saw this on the tradeboard for the new compensation.
Less than $1,205,377: Nothing
$1,205,377-to-$1,826,328: Third-round pick
$1,826,328-to-$3,652,659: Second-round pick
$3,652,659-to-$5,478,986: First and third-round picks
$5,478,986-to-$7,305,316: First, second and third-round picks
$7,305,316-to-$9,131,645: Two firsts, a second and third-round picks
$9,131,645 or greater: Four first-round picks

 

[JimEIV]

Yeah...I felt the need to edit that post.

 

[MichaelJ]

I wish there wasn't such a backlash for offersheeting players. Devils have the flexibility to do something like offering a contract to Tarasenko especially with the new compensation they wouldn't have to give up 4 first round picks even with a rally high contract.

Saw this on the tradeboard for the new compensation.
Less than $1,205,377: Nothing
$1,205,377-to-$1,826,328: Third-round pick
$1,826,328-to-$3,652,659: Second-round pick
$3,652,659-to-$5,478,986: First and third-round picks
$5,478,986-to-$7,305,316: First, second and third-round picks
$7,305,316-to-$9,131,645: Two firsts, a second and third-round picks
$9,131,645 or greater: Four first-round picks

With our desperate need for forwards and cap flexibility, this is the year to do it. I'd Buck the trend and offer one of these guys stupid money - 7.2M to price them out of their own teams. With our roster getting younger we should be well protected and able to re-sign our own RFAs over the next couple of years as contracts come off the books and we gain even more wiggle room...if someone should try to retaliate. Of course, Nashville has yet to exact any revenge on Philly for Weber.

 

[JimEIV]

I don't think were in any position to give up future 1st round picks for an offer sheet...we need to restock the cupboards and 1 one player isn't going to change much for us right now.

 

[R8Devs]

It depends on the player I think. Some of these RFAs are guys you would hope to get from your draft picks. Like Tarasenko and he's still young. It wouldn't be the 2015 first rounder going the other way either.


but it's not going to happen unless shero sees that as the only way to get a first line player.

 

[Tundra]

I'm really encouraged by Shero's comment on Zajac It sounds like he's not going to be patient if Travis files another subpar season. Emphasis on the underlined.

(ON ZAJAC) Like a lot of guys, he needs to bounce back. He's not a kid anymore.

 

[Emperoreddy]

Use the Marty thread. It isn't really relevant to this team. Keep team discussion here.

 

[MichaelJ]

It depends on the player I think. Some of these RFAs are guys you would hope to get from your draft picks. Like Tarasenko and he's still young. It wouldn't be the 2015 first rounder going the other way either.


but it's not going to happen unless shero sees that as the only way to get a first line player.

Same here, what would you rather have, a young draftee who might become something or a young and proven NHL player? We're no OS'ing 30 year olds, these guys are in their early 20's. Let someone else have done the patient developing and we jump start our rebuild.

 

[MichaelJ]

I'm really encouraged by Shero's comment on Zajac It sounds like he's not going to be patient if Travis files another subpar season. Emphasis on the underlined.

Good, there needs to be a short leash.

 

[MadDevil]

That's proof that Zajac is on a short leash? Okay...

 

[NJDevs26]

What the heck are they going to do with Zajac if he does have another bad year though, Mike Richards him? I don't even think they can trade him NOW let alone one more bad year from now.

 

[R8Devs]

His contract structure is pretty unfriendly for any trades so unless they retain a good amount I don't think that can happen.
Cap hit is 5.75 but he's getting paid 6.5 for the next 4 seasons and 5.75 for the last two seasons. The lower part of his contract was 13-14 where he got paid 3.5mil and last season where he got 5mil.


Just have to hope for a bounceback and if he doesn't then they just have to push him down the lineup until it makes sense to buy him out. He's still a good defensive player so it doesn't to hurt the lineup to have him as a 3C. Even though last year some of the times they gave the other teams top line assignment to Elias' line maybe in hope to get Zajac going offensively.

 

[Blender]

What the heck are they going to do with Zajac if he does have another bad year though, Mike Richards him? I don't even think they can trade him NOW let alone one more bad year from now.

Trade him for Mike Richards.