GDT: Wild @ Devils - 5 P.M. - MSGSN

[Bleedred]

ahh okay then!

Anytime you see that picture in one of my posts, it’s merely an homage to a former poster who has been MIA for almost 5 years. That was his avatar and he would usually take a contrarian view on things. Pumping up rival teams, especially the Rangers and other divisional teams. Criticizing lots of draft moves after the fact. And also criticizing moves that made sense and were the right moves, but using what happened on this night (like Blackwood having a higher save percentage in his game than Vanecek did in his) as evidence of us making the wrong move.

And the post about the Zucc jersey earlier was because this poster was a huge fan, and once posted on here that he was going to attend a game (I think maybe even a Devils/Rangers game?) while wearing his Team Norway Zuccarello jersey.

 

[glenwo2]

Interesting fuel for my "Are Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt the new McDrai?" thread on the mainboards I have drafted up

Didn't realize you haven't put up the thread yet. lol

Are you going to do it?

 

[Oneiro]

Hey, I think we might finally be right about Bratt being better than M. Tkachuk, hah.

Take us to the final, Bratter.

 

[Cheddabombs]

Didn't realize you haven't put up the thread yet. lol

Are you going to do it?

Aha no no, was just kidding

 

[Hisch13r]

Yeah the Toffoli contract talks will be interesting. Originally I went into the year thinking he would just fill up a top 6 spot for the year to give us help for the playoffs but wow has he exceeded all expectations. He fits this team like a glove and I want him extended asap. Him & Hughes have insane chemistry & we finally found Hughes his true winger. Toffoli is the perfect trigger man & is exactly what this team has been lacking for years. Only issue is going to be idk how we will fit him with the Mercer contract due (I know Mercer has played like dog shit but the dude is still going to get his extension with a raise). If I'm Fitz I'm now making it #1 priority to get a Toffoli contract done. But you know he's going to ask for 8 million & it's going to be hard for us but when you see chemistry like this with your star winger, you best make sure you make that contract happen. Figure out the cap issues later.

The cap jumping 4 mil and us having 2.35 in dead cap coming off will be a help. If say Mercer's at 5, McLeod and Schmid at 2 each, and we fill out the 13/14F and 7D as league min guys we'll have 8.5 mil. I don't think Schmid ends up higher than 2 but could be lower. I wouldn't go higher than like 2 on McLeod or any 4C. If Mercer kicks it back up to where he should be then I'd be looking at the Hagel 6.5x8 type deal for him. That leaves around 7 mil. I think you could be able to get Toffoli to sign for that. Things should should be tight but just doable.

The following year is where we'd be running into a lot of trouble. Luke and Bahl up on the backend. Holtz up up front. Vitek expires.

 

[Jersey Fan 12]

Good game by Vitek. Play him again Thursday

Interesting call. Do you want him to play the Wild or play back-to-back (one day in between) against Blues and Chicago?

 

[Waterbuf]

Interesting fuel for my "Are Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt the new McDrai?" thread on the mainboards I have drafted up

Throw a "quietly" in there and you're good.

 

[Jersey Fan 12]

Hey, I think we might finally be right about Bratt being better than M. Tkachuk, hah.

Take us to the final, Bratter.

He's playing great.

Tkachuk level? That's another story.

 

[MasterofGrond]

The problem with Toffoli, whom I love, is he's gonna be 32

He's gonna be looking to cash in on a fat and, more importantly, long deal (as he should), and i think it's a mistake to commit long term resources to a guy outside our core group age range.

 

[Better Call Sal]

It just needs to be further emphasized how solid of a trade it was to bring Haula in. His versatility is incredibly helpful for our lineup.

 

[Billdo]

The problem with Toffoli, whom I love, is he's gonna be 32

He's gonna be looking to cash in on a fat and, more importantly, long deal (as he should), and i think it's a mistake to commit long term resources to a guy outside our core group age range.

I think a lot of the league has moved away from giving guys term at his age. Does he entertain the idea of signing a 3 year deal? Do we cave and give him 5 knowing the last two might suck? It's an interesting thought. In an ideal world Holtz keeps developing and takes his spot in the top 6.

 

[Hisch13r]

The problem with Toffoli, whom I love, is he's gonna be 32

He's gonna be looking to cash in on a fat and, more importantly, long deal (as he should), and i think it's a mistake to commit long term resources to a guy outside our core group age range.

It really depends on what he wants and just how dumb other teams end up being. Like Kadri got 7x7 at 32 after putting up 87 pts in 71 games and a Cup winning PPG postseason and is a center. I don't think Toffoli's going to end up with that good of a season. If he's looking at 6x5 from some bad or mediocre team vs us maybe being at like 7x3 then I could see him staying.

 

[Hisch13r]

I think a lot of the league has moved away from giving guys term at his age. Does he entertain the idea of signing a 3 year deal? Do we cave and give him 5 knowing the last two might suck? It's an interesting thought. In an ideal world Holtz keeps developing and takes his spot in the top 6.

Unless you're completely certain you're going to be able to dump the deal (even that's risky) then you don't sign a deal that you believe is going to suck when your entire core is in the prime of their careers. I think you try and sell him on 3 and you move on if you can't.

Ideally we get him for like 3 years and he's our Pavelski. Pavelski's a better player but the similarities are definitely there. Exceptionally smart and poor skating goal scoring winger. Pavelski was even already 35 when he signed the initial 7x3 in Dallas so maybe Toffoli could age well like him and a 5 year deal wouldn’t end up being bad but I’d rather get him to stick on a 3 year deal and then if he’s still good do the Pavelski thing and keep getting him to stick around on shorter deals

 

[Jersey Fan 12]

I like when people think they know better than the coaching staff

You've come to the right place. Clearly, posters here know a lot more about the players, have access to the injury information, and first-hand knowledge of the practice and technical skills that the coaches do not.

 

[Satans Hockey]

Glad the Devils won, fun game. Good mood was shortly lived since I watched game 1 of the Red Bulls playoffs soon as I got home.

 

[Jersey Fan 12]

Agreed. Wish he had a defensive partner that covered for him better.

In the NHL how is it the responsibility of the defenseman's partner to cover for his partner's shortcomings.

Particularly if that defenseman is a high first round pick?

Luke - Dougie
Bahl - Marino
Siegs - Nemec

Luke and Dougie?

 

[Triumph]

In the NHL how is it the responsibility of the defenseman's partner to cover for his partner's shortcomings.

Particularly if that defenseman is a high first round pick?


Luke and Dougie?

Maybe try watching Cale Makar sometime

 

[Devs3cups]

In the NHL how is it the responsibility of the defenseman's partner to cover for his partner's shortcomings.

Particularly if that defenseman is a high first round pick?


Luke and Dougie?

Yes, they’ve had good results in their small time together. I’d definitely give him a shot if it means Smith plays less.

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

The problem with Toffoli, whom I love, is he's gonna be 32

He's gonna be looking to cash in on a fat and, more importantly, long deal (as he should), and i think it's a mistake to commit long term resources to a guy outside our core group age range.

I think it’s definitely smart to avoid extensions for players that age, but Toffoli really does have the profile of a guy that will age well. He doesn’t rely on his skating very much at all and he’s such a smart player.

 

[guitarguyvic]

I mentioned it was a fine game from the team…except for the PK. Vitek and some good fortune bailed them out big time there. It looked atrocious.

 

[glenwo2]

He's playing great.

Tkachuk level? That's another story.

I'd rather Bratt play "Bratt level" :

than this :

I could care less what Tkachuk has done Career-wise.

I doubt he'd be producing like Bratt if he was on our team instead. Not a shot in hell.

I mean we have our own "Grit" player (who can score) which is Timo and he's struggling to put the puck in the net though he's contributing in other ways.

 

[Jersey Fan 12]

Yes, they’ve had good results in their small time together. I’d definitely give him a shot if it means Smith plays less.

Both are train wrecks in their own end. The whole bash Brendan Smith narrative is getting old and way overblown.

When Nemec arrives Smith is likely the odd-man out but would much prefer Nemec playing with Bahl, and Dougie and Luke playing with either Siegenthaler or Marino.

 

[Devs3cups]

I'd rather Bratt play "Bratt level" :

than this :

Bratt is very good and absolutely an elite winger. The sample size for this season is super small though in regards to Tkachuk. Tkachuk is coming off of back to back 100+ point seasons. He’ll pick it up.

 

[glenwo2]

Bratt is very good and absolutely an elite winger. The sample size for this season is super small though in regards to Tkachuk. Tkachuk is coming off of back to back 100+ point seasons. He’ll pick it up.

I just said verbatim :

I could care less what Tkachuk has done Career-wise.

I doubt he'd be producing like Bratt if he was on our team instead. Not a shot in hell.

I mean we have our own "Grit" player (who can score) which is Timo and he's struggling to put the puck in the net though he's contributing in other ways.

You missed my edit, didn't you, @Devs3cups ?

 

[Devs3cups]

Both are train wrecks in their own end. The whole bash Brendan Smith narrative is getting old and way overblown.

When Nemec arrives Smith is likely the odd-man out but would much prefer Nemec playing with Bahl, and Dougie and Luke playing with either Siegenthaler or Marino.

Smith is the weak link on D, I’m pretty sure Nemec could do better right now. There’ll be mistakes, but there are mistakes with Smith anyways. Plus, Nemec can bring a whole lot more in the O-zone and in transition than Smith.

Siegs - Dougie
Luke - Marino
Bahl - Nemec

I’d be fine with this too, balances out the D-core quite nicely.