GDT: Devils vs Islanders - Preseason - 7:00 PM

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Cheddabombs

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Mar 13, 2012
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I really think one of Coleman, Zacha, or Wood is going to be dealt for a defender soon similar to the Henrique deal. Wood would be the preferred option, but I'm not sure Bratt is safe either, but it would have to be a very good defender for him.

With Boqvist impressing and Maltsev, McLeod, Bastian, Seney, and Anderson all showing they could be quality depth options if need be, we can likely afford to part with someone.

The one thing we're desperately missing right now is a smooth skating two-way LD preferably with some size and reach to play with Subban. Up front, we have way too many bodies, something has to give.

I can really only see Wood being dealt from that group, at least for now. Definitely not Bratt, I know the return would be better but he's too damn good. Maybe down the line if there's a real cap crunch but that's not happening this season. Coleman is a heart and soul guy, can play up and down the lineup no problem and is one of those guys a team needs come playoff time. Maybe Zacha could be dealt, but I think his value to our PK is too high right now plus I think there's still untapped offensive potential there.

The thing is what are you getting in return for Wood? Henrique had way more value and got us a pretty good defenseman in Sami. We'd definitely need to package something with Wood to make it worth it, otherwise we'd just get another defenseman of the same calibre that we already have.
 

TheUnseenHand

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I have been overly impressed with Hughes...Gusev not so much.... I mean, the expectation should be higher for Gusev a 27 year old, 10 year veteran of the KHL.

Can I ask, in all seriousness, what more you expected out of him? What in particular has not been impressive?
 

Blender

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Dec 2, 2009
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I have been overly impressed with Hughes...Gusev not so much.... I mean, the expectation should be higher for Gusev a 27 year old, 10 year veteran of the KHL.
Perhaps you think the KHL is a much better league than it actually is. Regardless, what specifically did you expect to be better?
 

The 29th Pick

Still Alive !
Dec 7, 2007
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Here you go :

UCZhSts.gif
is he waving goodbye to NJ :sarcasm:
 
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devilsblood

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Mar 10, 2010
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I have been overly impressed with Hughes...Gusev not so much.... I mean, the expectation should be higher for Gusev a 27 year old, 10 year veteran of the KHL.
Higher then Hughes? I can maybe see that given Hughes is 18, but Hughes is also an all world player who has been dynamite in preseason.

Gusev has far exceeded my tempered expectations thus far. I need to reevaluate.
 

JimEIV

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Feb 19, 2003
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Higher then Hughes? I can maybe see that given Hughes is 18, but Hughes is also an all world player who has been dynamite in preseason.

Gusev has far exceeded my tempered expectations thus far. I need to reevaluate.
I guess it's just perspective then...

I don't think a 27 year old on 4+ million dollar contract with 10 years of pro hockey experience gets *Tempered" expectations....an 18 year old that weighs a buck fifty soaking wet perhaps should?
 

Blender

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I guess it's just perspective then...

I don't think a 27 year old on 4+ million dollar contract with 10 years of pro hockey experience gets *Tempered" expectations....an 18 year old that weighs a buck fifty soaking wet perhaps should?
A $4.5 million dollar contract is a 2nd liner at best these days. You seem to be expecting a star player if you think he's underperformed.
 

devilsblood

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Mar 10, 2010
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I really think one of Coleman, Zacha, or Wood is going to be dealt for a defender soon similar to the Henrique deal. Wood would be the preferred option, but I'm not sure Bratt is safe either, but it would have to be a very good defender for him.

With Boqvist impressing and Maltsev, McLeod, Bastian, Seney, and Anderson all showing they could be quality depth options if need be, we can likely afford to part with someone.

The one thing we're desperately missing right now is a smooth skating two-way LD preferably with some size and reach to play with Subban. Up front, we have way too many bodies, something has to give.
Of that list I actually think Coleman might be the keeper. And that includes Bratt, I could see either he or Boqvist in a potential trade. But Coleman brings a different element then many of the guys on the roster. He and Zajac anchor the defensive line as well as the PK. Where as Bratt, or Boqvist, or Gusev? Those all look like fairly similar players, and as you note, all should have higher value then say a struggling Miles Wood.

Don't think a trade would be all that soon though, as I think they would want guys to establish themselves. Zacha for instance, is his value that high right now? And maybe his likely limited minutes keep his value low, but if he is playing well, the team knows it, and that may make someone else expendable. Say Boqvist if he steps up and is looking good. Again the time allowing him to up his trade value.

The defense does need to settle out as well. What if Butcher proves to be a solid top pair d-man? What if Smith get's going and proves capable on the 2nd pair, or maybe Vat's on the 2nd pair on the left side is successful.

Just so many things to sift through.

I could see a trade near the deadline, but I could see them waiting till the offseason, if not beyond that even, as the team has been advocating organizational depth for years, now they finally have it(at fwd at least) and they may want to enjoy that for awhile.
 

theoptimist

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Apr 22, 2014
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When we haven’t even played a single actual game and we don’t know if any of the other guys fighting for that spot are anything? Seems silly. Two solid seasons are worth more than a handful of preseason games.

It isn’t two seasons vs preseason. It’s how has Miles developed over three years. It could be my fault, but I was hoping he’d be Tom Wilson-lite. He isn’t even close to being a bad copy of Tom Wilson. It’s disheartening.
 

glenwo2

LINDY RUFF NEEDS VIAGRA!!
Oct 18, 2008
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Did anyone notice that our 4th line kept getting trapped playing against the Barzal line. Not sure if Hynes purposely left those guys out there to see what they can do? Found it strange and scary that Hynes continued to let that happen. He may be a great communicator, I just don’t think he’s a good coach.

You just answered your own question.

Plus, it's PRESEASON!!!

This is the time to experiment and "see what those guys out there can do". o_O
 

Devil X

Call me Nostradamus
Jul 9, 2007
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I have been overly impressed with Hughes...Gusev not so much.... I mean, the expectation should be higher for Gusev a 27 year old, 10 year veteran of the KHL.

You might be the only one who hasnt been impressed with Goose. 10 years on larger ice playing against what people believe is B level talent. Comes in and looks like a real force offensively. While I understand his experience plays a role vs an 18 year old. The Devils got a missing top 6 piece (most likely) for nothing and if he keeps playing the way he has in preseason he could easily be on of the top 5 scores on this team.
 

devilsblood

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Mar 10, 2010
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I guess it's just perspective then...

I don't think a 27 year old on 4+ million dollar contract with 10 years of pro hockey experience gets *Tempered" expectations....an 18 year old that weighs a buck fifty soaking wet perhaps should?
Ha, $4 million bucks? I'd expect maybe 35 points from that contract.

And I probably need to reevaluate my expectations of Hughes as well. Making it look too easy out there. No matter what the scale says.
 
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glenwo2

LINDY RUFF NEEDS VIAGRA!!
Oct 18, 2008
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I really think one of Coleman, Zacha, or Wood is going to be dealt for a defender soon similar to the Henrique deal. Wood would be the preferred option, but I'm not sure Bratt is safe either, but it would have to be a very good defender for him.

With Boqvist impressing and Maltsev, McLeod, Bastian, Seney, and Anderson all showing they could be quality depth options if need be, we can likely afford to part with someone.

The one thing we're desperately missing right now is a smooth skating two-way LD preferably with some size and reach to play with Subban. Up front, we have way too many bodies, something has to give.

Bratt is considered part of the core as he's constantly mentioned alongside Hall, Hughes, and Hischier.

I think he's safe.

I can really only see Wood being dealt from that group, at least for now. Definitely not Bratt, I know the return would be better but he's too damn good. Maybe down the line if there's a real cap crunch but that's not happening this season. Coleman is a heart and soul guy, can play up and down the lineup no problem and is one of those guys a team needs come playoff time. Maybe Zacha could be dealt, but I think his value to our PK is too high right now plus I think there's still untapped offensive potential there.

The thing is what are you getting in return for Wood? Henrique had way more value and got us a pretty good defenseman in Sami. We'd definitely need to package something with Wood to make it worth it, otherwise we'd just get another defenseman of the same calibre that we already have.

Somehow I doubt the Cap situation would arrive at a point where Ray gives up BRATT of all players instead of someone more expendable.... :teach2:
 

DerekDevils30

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Feb 2, 2007
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I've been very impressed with both Gusev and Hughes through 2 preseason games each but let's give them some time in the regular season before rushing to judgement. Early returns are good. What I've especially liked is both of their attention to detail away from the puck. Both have been giving effort on the back check
 

glenwo2

LINDY RUFF NEEDS VIAGRA!!
Oct 18, 2008
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Of that list I actually think Coleman might be the keeper. And that includes Bratt, I could see either he or Boqvist in a potential trade. But Coleman brings a different element then many of the guys on the roster. He and Zajac anchor the defensive line as well as the PK. Where as Bratt, or Boqvist, or Gusev? Those all look like fairly similar players, and as you note, all should have higher value then say a struggling Miles Wood.

Don't think a trade would be all that soon though, as I think they would want guys to establish themselves. Zacha for instance, is his value that high right now? And maybe his likely limited minutes keep his value low, but if he is playing well, the team knows it, and that may make someone else expendable. Say Boqvist if he steps up and is looking good. Again the time allowing him to up his trade value.

The defense does need to settle out as well. What if Butcher proves to be a solid top pair d-man? What if Smith get's going and proves capable on the 2nd pair, or maybe Vat's on the 2nd pair on the left side is successful.

Just so many things to sift through.

I could see a trade near the deadline, but I could see them waiting till the offseason, if not beyond that even, as the team has been advocating organizational depth for years, now they finally have it(at fwd at least) and they may want to enjoy that for awhile.

I can see Bratt staying a Devil a very long time and not get dealt.

In fact, Wood seems to be the true expendable here.

And thinking that his value is weak?

He has a skillset that other teams' GMs wouldn't mind trading for : SPEED (that has high *Value*)

They probably think "Oh the Devils coaching staff aren't teaching him the right things but our coaching staff will and he'll become a dominant all-around player in our system".
 

SteveCangialosi123

Registered User
Feb 17, 2012
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It isn’t two seasons vs preseason. It’s how has Miles developed over three years. It could be my fault, but I was hoping he’d be Tom Wilson-lite. He isn’t even close to being a bad copy of Tom Wilson. It’s disheartening.
Miles Wood’s improvement from year 1 to year 2 was dramatic. He was barely an NHL player and turned into a very productive player. Last year his shooting percentage was unsustainably low but everything else was fine considering how horrendous the team was.
 
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