LittleBallofHate Posted August 15, 2017 Share Posted August 15, 2017 Figured I'd start on thread on this since it's so quiet/not much news this time of the year. Denver Post writer said we're in the running! Not sure why he'd meet with the VGK since they have 11 D-men under contract but OK... Mike ChambersVerified account @MikeChambers Follow More It's official: Will Butcher to formally reject #Avs, visit with Devils, Sabres, Golden Knights http://dpo.st/2vAUNWE via @denverpost Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DevilMinder Posted August 15, 2017 Share Posted August 15, 2017 What is this NFL free agency? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mfitz804 Posted August 15, 2017 Share Posted August 15, 2017 A meeting is a start... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derlique Posted August 15, 2017 Share Posted August 15, 2017 Don't get your hopes up. Don't get your hopes up. Don't get your hopes up. Don't get your hopes up. Don't ge 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MadDog2020 Posted August 15, 2017 Share Posted August 15, 2017 I've heard this dude doesn't project to have much of an NHL future, so it's 'whatever' to me whether we sign him or not. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mfitz804 Posted August 15, 2017 Share Posted August 15, 2017 5 minutes ago, MadDog2020 said: I've heard this dude doesn't project to have much of an NHL future, so it's 'whatever' to me whether we sign him or not. I'm in the same camp. Could be something, could be nothing. Wouldn't mind giving him a shot. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CommonDreads Posted August 15, 2017 Share Posted August 15, 2017 4 minutes ago, MadDog2020 said: I've heard this dude doesn't project to have much of an NHL future, so it's 'whatever' to me whether we sign him or not. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk I don't see him as a future star, but I think you can bank on him being an NHLer, he certainly accomplished way more than Jimmy Vesey and even though Vesey isn't a star, he is an NHL level player. With how shallow we are on defense, I wouldn't sneeze at a free 22 year old NHL level prospect. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mfitz804 Posted August 15, 2017 Share Posted August 15, 2017 1 minute ago, CommonDreads said: I don't see him as a future star, but I think you can bank on him being an NHLer, he certainly accomplished way more than Jimmy Vesey and even though Vesey isn't a star, he is an NHL level player. With how shallow we are on defense, I wouldn't sneeze at a free 22 year old NHL level prospect. My exact thinking on the issue as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LittleBallofHate Posted August 15, 2017 Author Share Posted August 15, 2017 2 hours ago, MadDog2020 said: I've heard this dude doesn't project to have much of an NHL future, so it's 'whatever' to me whether we sign him or not. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk This is from SB Nation but it's similar to other projections I've read. I'd love to have him and happy to be in the running but I'm not getting my hopes up... Butcher also showed an impressive two-way game at Denver that could fit well in the modern NHL. He’s got good skating ability, playmaking, and hockey sense, which he put on display with 37 points in 43 games as a college senior. The defenseman steadily improved his point-per-game production each year, from 0.42 to 0.47 to 0.82 to 0.86. That’s what you want to see out of a top college prospect, and it gives hope that Butcher could be the kind of mobile, puck-moving defenseman who is increasingly becoming a staple of the NHL. He may not have the upside of a No. 1 or top-pairing defenseman at the highest level, but he could be a solid third- or even second-pairing blue liner in short order. That’d be massive value for a team signing him to an affordable ELC. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devilsfan118 Posted August 15, 2017 Share Posted August 15, 2017 Considering we need defensive prospects.... Why not? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vadvlfan Posted August 16, 2017 Share Posted August 16, 2017 6 hours ago, CommonDreads said: I don't see him as a future star, but I think you can bank on him being an NHLer, he certainly accomplished way more than Jimmy Vesey and even though Vesey isn't a star, he is an NHL level player. With how shallow we are on defense, I wouldn't sneeze at a free 22 year old NHL level prospect. Not about $$, only a legit chance to make the big club. No different than any other club ice time wise. Everyone gets opportunity to compete for a job Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HellOnICE Posted August 16, 2017 Share Posted August 16, 2017 Free Asset. PLEASE RAY! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LittleBallofHate Posted August 16, 2017 Author Share Posted August 16, 2017 From NHL.com, don't expect to hear much for about a week: "Will's going to be on a number of conference calls Wednesday, and if there's an opportunity that's compelling, we'll pursue it," Bartlett told the Review-Journal. "I think with talking to the teams and visiting a couple of the cities, it will take about a week to get it done." 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharifijanov2099 Posted August 16, 2017 Share Posted August 16, 2017 Yep, now's not the time to be conservative. It's a free asset. If it's a free 3rd pair D, great. If it's a free 2nd pair D, great. It seems that all the reports suggest he will be more than a 7th/AHL D-man. And since D is highly coveted in this league, it's a no brainer to be at the table, not to mention NJ's dire need for young talent on the back-line. Sure, if he doesn't sign here, no tears should be shed. But we should all be crossing our fingers that he does. The comparisons with Vesey imply that he will be better at his respective position. Vesey scored 14 goals as a rookie last year, granted, a 23-yr old rookie. If Vesey is a 40 point wing this season, perhaps Butcher turns into a 25-30 point 2-way D, which would certainly be nice. People pay big money for that kind of thing, well, unless your name happens to be Franson. Definitely excited to at least read NJ is on the list. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimmy Leeds Posted August 16, 2017 Share Posted August 16, 2017 Something to read. Didn't see this posted: http://thehockeywriters.com/will-butcher-new-jersey-devils/ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redruM Posted August 16, 2017 Share Posted August 16, 2017 I read somewhere that he will get offers at whatever the rookie max is, I thought I saw $850K per year for 3 years, plus bonus. I'd love to get this kid signed and see what he has... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nessus Posted August 16, 2017 Share Posted August 16, 2017 Reminds me way too much of Matt Gilroy for me to feel any way about this. But at the end of the day, I would rather take a chance on someone like Butcher than Kerfoot, so this is good news. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
'7' Posted August 16, 2017 Share Posted August 16, 2017 (edited) Kerfoot is already being seduced by the bright lights (brah). Growing up in Vancouver in the early 2000's how can you not be smitten with Ronald Petrovicky, Richard Lintner, and the cardiac Rangers? Time to fulfill that lifelong dream. Because clearly this Rangers team is on the upswing. Butcher is undersized, a good fast skater but not a powerful one. Could get tossed around in the defensive zone if he doesn't put on like 15 lbs of muscle. Peter Harrold comes to mind. Edited August 16, 2017 by '7' 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LittleBallofHate Posted August 17, 2017 Author Share Posted August 17, 2017 Craig Custance Verified account @CraigCustance Butcher hasn't received calls from Detroit, Chi, Toronto or SJ. Columbus has made a pitch. Right now, there's about a half dozen teams considered legitimate contenders on Butcher. Hasn't made any city visits yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T0asterleav1ns Posted August 17, 2017 Share Posted August 17, 2017 Have never seen Butcher play but the list of Hobie Baker winners as seniors is not impressive whatsoever. And I have no idea what to think about him as a player because for every article/post ive seen saying hes a good skater, ive seen ones saying his skating is what will keep him out of the nhl.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LittleBallofHate Posted August 18, 2017 Author Share Posted August 18, 2017 NHL.com is reporting that Pittsburgh has reached out to Butcher too. Not a big surprise... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CommonDreads Posted August 18, 2017 Share Posted August 18, 2017 (edited) Denver's coach said this to NJ.com regarding Butcher's decision progress "I think the Devils are high on that list," Montgomery said. "I don't know for sure, but from what I've been hearing, they're a team that's definitely in that mix." http://www.nj.com/devils/index.ssf/2017/08/denver_coach_on_will_butchers_nhl_decision_devils.html Edited August 18, 2017 by CommonDreads Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mfitz804 Posted August 18, 2017 Share Posted August 18, 2017 4 minutes ago, CommonDreads said: Denver's coach said this to NJ.com regarding Butcher's decision progress "I think the Devils are high on that list," Montgomery said. "I don't know for sure, but from what I've been hearing, they're a team that's definitely in that mix." http://www.nj.com/devils/index.ssf/2017/08/denver_coach_on_will_butchers_nhl_decision_devils.html Come here, Nico will get them to name a sandwich after you, too! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slasher72 Posted August 21, 2017 Share Posted August 21, 2017 He's going to Buffalo most likely. There's a photo being circulated with him going through an airport wearing Sabres gear. He ain't coming here. .. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thelastonealive Posted August 21, 2017 Share Posted August 21, 2017 Carrying a Sabres bag, not wearing gear. Don't really think it means anything. Supposedly he's trimming a dozen teams that have reached out to 3-4 to visit. I'd post a link but I read it this morning and have no earthly idea where I saw it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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