If you are here to see some big name free agent acquisitions, this is the wrong outlook for you.
The Devils are a rebuilding team, regardless of the moves that were made last season. For several reasons, the Devils, I believe, should stay quiet this offseason and continue to rebuild from the inside. For starters, they do not have a GM or coach at the moment. If Fitzgerald is hired as GM, I believe some moves could be made. If they hire from outside, I don't see that person making big splashes with this roster built the way it currently is as far as free agents and trades are concerned. Whoever is hired as coach (Laviolette or Gallant preferably) will I am sure want say in building the roster. Unless there is adequate time to gel for a GM and coach, I don't see any big moves being made.
Secondly, due to COVID and the uncertainty involving any season in the future past this current one, teams will be hesitant to shell out big money for long term contracts. On top of that, the big names in this free agent class are mostly north of 28 years old and are probably looking to sign with contenders. The Devils will have to over pay to bring anybody significant in. I could also see this years class signing short term deals with contenders, 1-3 years, knowing that the cap will balloon in the near future and they can get more money then.
If COVID affects next season, such as not having fans in the arenas or limited fans in the arenas, it should in my opinion affect how the Devils approach this season. Having limited to no fans in the stands means no need to bring in a big free agent to put people in the seats. Even if they bring a big name free agent in, what is the chance they affect the team in such a way that they bring them to the playoffs again? Unlikely. This is the season to build from the inside. Let Anderson, McLeod, Merkley, Kuokkanen, Boqvist and Ty Smith get big minutes. Get them the experience they need to grow. Let Bratt, Hughes, Zacha grow. Give Blackwood a whole season as the number 1 in net. Do all of this now since there is no pressure to get into the playoffs like there was with Hall.
Also, lets not forget that Gusev and Palmieri will need contracts after this season. If there is interest in bringing them back (There should be) there will need to be money to give them. Zajac comes off the books after this season and I would like to see him come back for cheap if there is interest.
Trading for bloated contracts (Ladd, Boychuk, Neal) and getting picks in return for taking the contracts is an enticing option if it does not affect the foreseeable future. I would not mind seeing them trade 1 of their potential 3 first rounders this season to gain picks in rounds 2 and 3 as well.
This season they can finally rebuild the right way, through their system, the way it should always be done. The contracts they have brought on in seasons past have been geared towards winning now, something they don't need to focus on right now. Diehard Devils fans should be excited about this finally happening.
I agree with your philosophy about rebuilding from the inside rather than makeing big splashes in FA (and regret them very soon afterwards). With that said, we simply haven't enough talent to do so! There'll be some outside aquisitions, I'm looking at trade options or 2nd/3rd tier UFA's.
This team you've lined up has trouble against AHL competition imo, and trying to beat Detroit for the worst cap era team is not the solution either.
+ Why do people hate Jack Hughes so much that they put Miles Wood on his wing?
well, see you guys at the 2021 draft lottery festival.
you don't have to make huge moves but you can weaponize cap space, sign a significant FA on a 3-5 year deal, move on from bottom line players to pick up draft picks or assess a need. you can stay quiet, per se, and still make useful moves.
I agree with your philosophy about rebuilding from the inside rather than makeing big splashes in FA (and regret them very soon afterwards). With that said, we simply haven't enough talent to do so! There'll be some outside aquisitions, I'm looking at trade options or 2nd/3rd tier UFA's.
This team you've lined up has trouble against AHL competition imo, and trying to beat Detroit for the worst cap era team is not the solution either.
+ Why do people hate Jack Hughes so much that they put Miles Wood on his wing?
I agree with your philosophy about rebuilding from the inside rather than makeing big splashes in FA (and regret them very soon afterwards). With that said, we simply haven't enough talent to do so! There'll be some outside aquisitions, I'm looking at trade options or 2nd/3rd tier UFA's.
This team you've lined up has trouble against AHL competition imo, and trying to beat Detroit for the worst cap era team is not the solution either.
+ Why do people hate Jack Hughes so much that they put Miles Wood on his wing?
The lines were just thrown together with no thought. I think Wood needs a big season to prove his worth because I have not seen much from him that I like.
I agree that acquisitions can be made, but I also believe that the progress of some of the guys mentioned has been stunted by other guys getting opportunity ahead of them. I would love to get Dadonov or Hoffman but I also think the price would be too steep for them to come to a rebuilder.
I like the idea because Wood can fly like Hughes and, outside of Hayden, is the only Devils with some physicality.
If we've learnd something from this season it's that Hughes needs some good offesive talent on his wings. Miles Wood at this stage of his career is and should be on the 4th line.
If we've learnd something from this season it's that Hughes needs some good offesive talent on his wings. Miles Wood at this stage of his career is and should be on the 4th line.
I think the lack of talent on offense is why I see Wood playing with Hughes since it is Bratt, Wood, then there is Boqvist, Kuokkanen, maybe Foote/ Seney (assuming Gusev plays RW). There is not much there for LW unless Boqvist/ Kuokkanen step up.
zyyyp a aimé ceci.
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