Don’t pay too much attention to the lines as they will change throughout the season. Haula is worth more, but I project that he will sign for 2.50-2.75 for 3 years with a NMC as it’s clear that he just wants to stay in one city and not get passed around. I think he’ll take less to ensure that he stays. Devils have to acquire a RHD regardless in case Nemec isn’t ready. Could sign someone or trade for someone, but regardless it should only be for one season. I traded for Myers as we’d get value back and the Devils are good at creating value with late picks. Plus if Nemec makes it, Myers would only cost 250k against the cap for just this season if he gets sent down which works out well. I could see Bahl getting a little less, but it doesn’t matter as it’s very little compared to everything. We aren’t trading for a goalie like Hellebuyck unless we have struggles at the start of the year. Can’t risk stunting Schmids development as he’s shown a lot. Also have to consider how the team is built as we don’t wanna risk not being able to pay guys like L Hughes, Mercer, Holtz, Nemec, Boqvist, etc. just for an aging goalie that might not be effective when these guys get raises. Trust in Schmid. If the the season starts and there are noticeable goalie issues, possibly trade for one during the season (Saros is the name that comes to mind if absolutely necessary), but I think it’s too early to jump the gun when our answer might be with us all along in Schmid, or even guys like Daws.
Why trade for Chris Tanev if Nemec might make the roster? There’s no point in giving up assets if Nemec is ready over him. Also might not work with the cap depending on how expensive it is to sign everyone. Get a cheaper guy to sign or get assets back because the extra RHD will be a fringe player. Doesn’t make sense
Why trade for Chris Tanev if Nemec might make the roster? There’s no point in giving up assets if Nemec is ready over him. Also might not work with the cap depending on how expensive it is to sign everyone. Doesn’t make sense
Sense? Two rookie defenders and a guy who has played 66 pro gms ever. 1/2 your d are babies. Sure could it work, maybe. But why take a risk. Tanev is $4.5m for this yr and a ufa. He'd be a top 4 D on this team. 6'2 195, Fitz hates that! Worroed about cap (for one yr) send over a guy who would not clear waivers. The d won't be as "good" as it was this yr. No TDL move giving up more. Heavy players in the playoffs help. Nemec can always come up and play.
That's sensible.
Sense? Two rookie defenders and a guy who has played 66 pro gms ever. 1/2 your d are babies. Sure could it work, maybe. But why take a risk. Tanev is $4.5m for this yr and a ufa. He'd be a top 4 D on this team. 6'2 195, Fitz hates that! Worroed about cap (for one yr) send over a guy who would not clear waivers. The d won't be as "good" as it was this yr. No TDL move giving up more. Heavy players in the playoffs help. Nemec can always come up and play.
That's sensible.
So you’re saying the devils should give up assets, likely a 2nd or 3rd round pick, for a d man that might not play because you can’t stunt Nemec’s development? Makes no sense. Sign someone for free, a veteran to help the young d core. Sign a veteran that won’t demand a lot of money that could slot into the 3rd pair RD spot but could also be a healthy scratch if Nemec is ready, or that could be sent down. If you get Tanev and Nemec is ready, but Tanev is better, that just stunts Nemec’s development. Shouldn’t be a big move for the RHD spot. You have a solid option in nemec, but if he isn’t ready, don’t waste assets and sign a solid guy for that spot
So you’re saying the devils should give up assets, likely a 2nd or 3rd round pick, for a d man that might not play because you can’t stunt Nemec’s development? Makes no sense. Sign someone for free, a veteran to help the young d core. Sign a veteran that won’t demand a lot of money that could slot into the 3rd pair RD spot but could also be a healthy scratch if Nemec is ready, or that could be sent down. If you get Tanev and Nemec is ready, but Tanev is better, that just stunts Nemec’s development. Shouldn’t be a big move for the RHD spot. You have a solid option in nemec, but if he isn’t ready, don’t waste assets and sign a solid guy for that spot
You keep saying might be ready
Might not too!
Vet D like Luke Schenn, Gudas, no thanks.
If you can get a top 4 d man for one yr after letting 2 core d men leave in FA for a third + you do it. Stunting growth is making nemec play another yr in Jr. Is Holtz being stunted. He's 19 yrs old how much stunting is even a thing. No degender is hoibg ti get hurt all season too i guess. Making the D better is always a better thing to do.
You keep saying might be ready
Might not too!
Vet D like Luke Schenn, Gudas, no thanks.
If you can get a top 4 d man for one yr after letting 2 core d men leave in FA for a third + you do it. Stunting growth is making nemec play another yr in Jr. Is Holtz being stunted. He's 19 yrs old how much stunting is even a thing. No degender is hoibg ti get hurt all season too i guess. Making the D better is always a better thing to do.
It’s about if Nemec is ready. You don’t wanna automatically put him back in the AHL if he’s ready for the Nhl. Devils coaches and management have been saying that he’s going to be fighting for a spot in training camp. It’s a 50/50 shot. Also don’t need the price of a top 4 D and caliber of a top 4 d to play on the third pair. These are the cards that the devils have been dealt with. I believe they will do something similar to what I have in terms of getting a cheap guy for that spot in case Nemec isn’t ready. We’ll agree to disagree though
It’s about if Nemec is ready. You don’t wanna automatically put him back in the AHL if he’s ready for the Nhl. Devils coaches and management have been saying that he’s going to be fighting for a spot in training camp. It’s a 50/50 shot. Also don’t need the price of a top 4 D and caliber of a top 4 d to play on the third pair. These are the cards that the devils have been dealt with. I believe they will do something similar to what I have in terms of getting a cheap guy for that spot in case Nemec isn’t ready. We’ll agree to disagree though
The price is $4.5M at full salary. Throw in player that will not make it through waivers (and wont have a spot on this team) for retention and there is no salary issue. Nemec will be the answer, I just don't know if it's this season. Gudas just completed a $2.5M per season, he will want $3 for at least 1 maybe 2 yrs. Schenn was much cheaper but probably wont take a one yr deal eitehr, just had a kid, will want some stability. Connor Clifton? Probably wants multiple yrs. Here is a list of UFA d men, take a look and tell me who fits: https://www.spotrac.com/nhl/free-agents/defenseman/ufa/
The price is $4.5M at full salary. Throw in player that will not make it through waivers (and wont have a spot on this team) for retention and there is no salary issue. Nemec will be the answer, I just don't know if it's this season. Gudas just completed a $2.5M per season, he will want $3 for at least 1 maybe 2 yrs. Schenn was much cheaper but probably wont take a one yr deal eitehr, just had a kid, will want some stability. Connor Clifton? Probably wants multiple yrs. Here is a list of UFA d men, take a look and tell me who fits: https://www.spotrac.com/nhl/free-agents/defenseman/ufa/
That’s not the point of my stance. My stance is that these UFAs that are solid bonified Nhl players that would play on the bottom pair for most teams know the devils situation. They know that the devils will prioritize Nemec if he makes the team. Why would a guy like Gudas or Schenn sign in Nj if they might be sitting on the sideline behind nemec? And why would devils management wanna sign a guy that is somewhat expensive and a bonified nhler if he might take time away from nemec, if nemec is ready, which would stunt his development? We’ll ultimately see what Nj does, but I believe they won’t go and spend money on a bonified bottom pair guy that may cost money that would also wanna play ahead of a guy like Nemec. It’s gotta be a fringe bottom pair guy imo
That’s not the point of my stance. My stance is that these UFAs that are solid bonified Nhl players that would play on the bottom pair for most teams know the devils situation. They know that the devils will prioritize Nemec if he makes the team. Why would a guy like Gudas or Schenn sign in Nj if they might be sitting on the sideline behind nemec? And why would devils management wanna sign a guy that is somewhat expensive and a bonified nhler if he might take time away from nemec, if nemec is ready, which would stunt his development? We’ll ultimately see what Nj does, but I believe they won’t go and spend money on a bonified bottom pair guy that may cost money that would also wanna play ahead of a guy like Nemec. It’s gotta be a fringe bottom pair guy imo
19 yr old and stunted growth don't go in the same sentence. How would playing SM a half yr in Utica kill his growth? It actually takes much longer for D to develop.
If its fringe just play a combo of Smith/Walsh. I dont believe Fitz is going to leave it up to chance and hope the 2 rooks and a green guy can handle it. And my personal stance always was a d man with 1 yr remaining, so the UFA route is not my idea.
Unless they think Walsh can handle it with Smitty's help or by committee including Nemec, but that does not sound like Fitz. I think he makes a move at the draft.