The OFFICIAL Off-Season Thread

[Chimaira_Devil_#9]

Lindy was always coming back after the season the team had.

I am totally comfortable with it. We are going to have another few young guys looking to take the step and he has proved he can show the young players what it takes to make the NHL. 

The fact there is a degree of expectation now makes me think that he might have a bit of a short leash should anything start to go awry. 

 

Edited May 18 by Chimaira_Devil_#9

[Colorado Rockies 1976]

6 minutes ago, Chimaira_Devil_#9 said:

Lindy was always coming back after the season the team had.

I am totally comfortable with it. We are going to have anothe few young guys looking to take the step and he has proved he can show the young players what it take to make the NHL. 

THe fact there is a degree of expectation now makes me think that he might have a bit of a short leash should anything start to go awry. 

 

re:  the bolded, yeah, would've been a stunner if Fitz had let him go.  Especially after the Ranger series and the way that unfolded.

I'm not going to pretend that I'm totally comfortable with Lindy, but at the same time it's like I said before, I can't really make a case for Fitz dipping into the retread pool, and it feels like a lot of Brunette's shine wore off.  And in Lindy's defense, I'll give him that his teams here may not have always won, but rarely did I get the feeling that they were ever mailing it in.  Or that Lindy had ever lost his players...they genuinely seem to like playing for him.  Apparently some Rangers players were not so fond of Gallant, which factored into Drury's decision to go in a different direction.

Agree in that I think that this is a temporary vote of confidence and that Lindy's leash won't be the longest.  If the Devils are in danger of missing the playoffs come late December/early January, and it's not due to a rash of injuries or factors out of Lindy's control, I can see Fitz rolling the dice on a coaching change.

Speaking of Brunette, I have no idea why, but I have this goofy feeling that he's going to be the next Ranger head coach.    

[2ELIAS6]

59 minutes ago, Colorado Rockies 1976 said:

FWIW, their last two seasons:

Meier (per 82 GP):  40 G, 35 A, 75 Pts, 4.21 SOG per game, 11.5 shooting%

Bratt (per 82 GP):  30 G, 46 A, 76 Pts, 2.59 SOG per game, 14.2 shooting%

Meier obviously takes a lot more penalties but given the difference in their games, that's to be expected.

They have very different skillsets, that's obvious, but I get the impression that even though he went several playoff games without putting up a point, Meier's overall game will translate better to the playoffs than Bratt's.  

Yep and Meier did that on a sh!t sharks team. Bratt did what he did playing with talent next to him. Regardless of the lack of playoff points from both players, Meier played  a major physical role that bratt doesn’t have the size and strength to play if he wanted to. Meier was a total pest to shesterkin and was clearly aggravating him all series long. He was also playing the second round with a busted nose and had some other lingering issue going on which held him out of that first game of round two. Not saying bratt was 100% but I don’t recall him coming out with any ailments. 

[MadDog2020]

 

[NJDevils1214]

1 hour ago, 2ELIAS6 said:

Lazar provides next to nothing offensively. Tatar I can’t see coming back either, definitely don’t want wood back. 

You don't go to the 4th line for a burst of offense and he's a 1mm guy signed for 2 more years. I mean, that's value... Especially if he'll play in the hard areas around the crease.

I'm okay with not paying Tatar his 4.5mm + a raise and giving a young guy that opportunity instead. Tatar and Wood cost us a combined 7.7mm last season. That cap space can almost absorb a Timo contract without skipping a beat.

[Devil Dan 56]

3 minutes ago, NJDevils1214 said:

You don't go to the 4th line for a burst of offense and he's a 1mm guy signed for 2 more years. I mean, that's value... Especially if he'll play in the hard areas around the crease.

I'm okay with not paying Tatar his 4.5mm + a raise and giving a young guy that opportunity instead. Tatar and Wood cost us a combined 7.7mm last season. That cap space can almost absorb a Timo contract without skipping a beat.

To me, Lazar is a very affordable Wood replacement. He won’t bring as much offense as Wood but he will bring a tough game with less dumb penalties. 

[Colorado Rockies 1976]

3 minutes ago, NJDevils1214 said:

You don't go to the 4th line for a burst of offense and he's a 1mm guy signed for 2 more years. I mean, that's value... Especially if he'll play in the hard areas around the crease.

I'm okay with not paying Tatar his 4.5mm + a raise and giving a young guy that opportunity instead. Tatar and Wood cost us a combined 7.7mm last season. That cap space can almost absorb a Timo contract without skipping a beat.

Lazar's also a guy that doesn't have to play ALL the time, in every game.  He's cheap lower-line insurance who can provide competent play (though yeah, not much offense).  His money is basically ELC-level.  His being around isn't hurting the Devils or stopping them from making any moves...yeah, like you, no issues with him.

Tatar had a solid year but if he went back to being the guy who got healthy-scratched during the playoffs as a Canadien or ever played like the 2021-22 version of himself, people will forget about 2022-23 in a hurry.  Sometimes you just gotta be thankful for what you got out of an aging player, and get ready to move on.  Devils gotta be careful who they decide to give raises to.  

 

[Devil Dan 56]

1 minute ago, Colorado Rockies 1976 said:

Lazar's also a guy that doesn't have to play ALL the time, in every game.  He's cheap lower-line insurance who can provide competent play (though yeah, not much offense).  His money is basically ELC-level.  His being around isn't hurting the Devils or stopping them from making any moves...yeah, like you, no issues with him.

Tatar had a solid year but if he went back to being the guy who got healthy-scratched during the playoffs as a Canadien or ever played like the 2021-22 version of himself, people will forget about 2022-23 in a hurry.  Sometimes you just gotta be thankful for what you got out of an aging player, and get ready to move on.  Devils gotta be careful who they decide to give raises to.  

 

I’d only sign Tatar short term, and his job would be play well enough that Holtz or Foote raises their game to take your job 

[Colorado Rockies 1976]

1 minute ago, Devil Dan 56 said:

I’d only sign Tatar short term, and his job would be play well enough that Holtz or Foote raises their game to take your job 

For me, "short term" would mean one year.  If someone else is willing to give him 2 or more years, so be it.  

[Chimaira_Devil_#9]

He is going to get a HC gig at some point. Not sure how I feel about it as is still don't like the way out Power play runs at all. But at the same time we don't know what impact he has on the team and I don't want us to take a step back. 

[Chimaira_Devil_#9]

5 hours ago, Colorado Rockies 1976 said:

re:  the bolded, yeah, would've been a stunner if Fitz had let him go.  Especially after the Ranger series and the way that unfolded.

I'm not going to pretend that I'm totally comfortable with Lindy, but at the same time it's like I said before, I can't really make a case for Fitz dipping into the retread pool, and it feels like a lot of Brunette's shine wore off.  And in Lindy's defense, I'll give him that his teams here may not have always won, but rarely did I get the feeling that they were ever mailing it in.  Or that Lindy had ever lost his players...they genuinely seem to like playing for him.  Apparently some Rangers players were not so fond of Gallant, which factored into Drury's decision to go in a different direction.

Agree in that I think that this is a temporary vote of confidence and that Lindy's leash won't be the longest.  If the Devils are in danger of missing the playoffs come late December/early January, and it's not due to a rash of injuries or factors out of Lindy's control, I can see Fitz rolling the dice on a coaching change.

Speaking of Brunette, I have no idea why, but I have this goofy feeling that he's going to be the next Ranger head coach.    

Having the teams star player, who just broke the franchise record for points in your corner has got to hold some weight as well. 

[Nicomo]

1 hour ago, Chimaira_Devil_#9 said:

He is going to get a HC gig at some point. Not sure how I feel about it as is still don't like the way out Power play runs at all. But at the same time we don't know what impact he has on the team and I don't want us to take a step back. 

The Panthers are doing just fine without him. 

[MadDog2020]

I’d have to think this contract is gonna get done, or Bratt wouldn’t be appearing in something like this: 

 

[RizzMB30]

7 hours ago, MadDog2020 said:

 

I like that he gave a shoutout to Nolan Foote as another notable player in the Utica system after talking about Nemec. He talked for a while about how much he likes Nolan Foote. That fourth line LW spot is sounding like it is his to lose in Fitz's eyes. Great shot, but needed to work on his footspeed as much he could. 
 

Edited May 18 by RizzMB30

[Nicomo]

I thought maybe Graeme Clarke had done enough this season to start getting his name mentioned. I guess Fitz is higher on Foote. 

[RizzMB30]

2 minutes ago, Nicomo said:

I thought maybe Graeme Clarke had done enough this season to start getting his name mentioned. I guess Fitz is higher on Foote. 

Camp will decide I'm sure. Might actually be some spots to grab. 

[NJDevils1214]

1 hour ago, Nicomo said:

I thought maybe Graeme Clarke had done enough this season to start getting his name mentioned. I guess Fitz is higher on Foote. 

 

56 minutes ago, RizzMB30 said:

Camp will decide I'm sure. Might actually be some spots to grab. 

Graeme Clarke is 5-11 175 and Foote is 6-3 200. I bet that has something to do with it. Clarke and Foote both have great shots, Holtz too, they could all get a look.

[Nicomo]

46 minutes ago, NJDevils1214 said:

 

Graeme Clarke is 5-11 175 and Foote is 6-3 200. I bet that has something to do with it. Clarke and Foote both have great shots, Holtz too, they could all get a look.

Feels like it will be a make or brake TC for Holtz. If a kid who was a 7OA pick can’t make the team out of camp in his D+4 year you have to start thinking B word territory. 

[Chimaira_Devil_#9]

6 hours ago, Nicomo said:

The Panthers are doing just fine without him. 

I mean currently yes. However they squeaked into the playoffs by a point and went from being Presidents Trophy winners on 122 points to a 30 point drop. 

Maybe it's just taken time to transition to a new coach and they are finally hitting their stride , but it still makes me wary. 

[Colorado Rockies 1976]

1 hour ago, Chimaira_Devil_#9 said:

I mean currently yes. However they squeaked into the playoffs by a point and went from being Presidents Trophy winners on 122 points to a 30 point drop. 

Maybe it's just taken time to transition to a new coach and they are finally hitting their stride , but it still makes me wary. 

They underwent a significant roster change too.

Edited May 18 by Colorado Rockies 1976

[Aitchmack]

16 hours ago, Colorado Rockies 1976 said:

Speaking of Brunette, I have no idea why, but I have this goofy feeling that he's going to be the next Ranger head coach.    

As the Rags main asset is their power play, it would be great if he went there. 😁

[slasher72]

16 hours ago, Colorado Rockies 1976 said:

 

Speaking of Brunette, I have no idea why, but I have this goofy feeling that he's going to be the next Ranger head coach.    

I feel that same way. I think Drury is going to go after him hard and make it happen. If it does, we can return the favor in two years and sign Shesterkin when he becomes an UFA. Hopefully the Rangers will be a mess by that time and he'll have had enough. 

[2ELIAS6]

10 hours ago, MadDog2020 said:

I’d have to think this contract is gonna get done, or Bratt wouldn’t be appearing in something like this: 

 

Definitely don’t go visit Atlantic City or there’s definitely no chance of him signing here 🤣

[Jimmy Leeds]

On 5/17/2023 at 10:16 AM, Colorado Rockies 1976 said:

You don't want to at least give Schmid a look next sesaon first?  Guy put up a .922 save% in the regular season and a .921 save% in the playoffs.  Small samples for sure, but giving him a shot won't cost the Devils anything in assets.  

Preds thought highly enough of Askarov to spend the 11OA pick on him in the 2020 draft and he's about to enter his Age 21 season after having made his NHL debut last season.  I'd be surprised if they're looking to move him.  

Hey, CR...........I'm just responding to all the Helleybuck rumors and salutations. 

I 100% think that Schmid may be the answer (See how I hedged myself)

He's as cool a cucumber as one can see in a netminder. 

But I think that Nashville will have to make a decision pretty soon, maybe this off season on their goalie situation and that is where we should be focusing, IMO

[Colorado Rockies 1976]

34 minutes ago, Jimmy Leeds said:

Hey, CR...........I'm just responding to all the Helleybuck rumors and salutations. 

I 100% think that Schmid may be the answer (See how I hedged myself)

He's as cool a cucumber as one can see in a netminder. 

But I think that Nashville will have to make a decision pretty soon, maybe this off season on their goalie situation and that is where we should be focusing, IMO

I'm guessing the Preds make absolute sure that Askarov is ready to be the guy based off his play this upcoming season...if he proves himself that quickly, then yeah, at that point they're gonna have to try to get something back for Saros.  He's too good to let walk for nothing.  If Askarov looks like he'll need more time, it gets a little more complicated...Saros has been DAMNED good the past two years as a high-workload starter.  He not a kid-kid but not old by any stretch...he'll be 29 by the start of the 2024-25 season.  Nashville may in a position where they'll have little choice but to pony up...but of course, if they look like they're not in a position to take advantage of Saros' remaining prime years (similar to the Devils with Cory), they might as well deal Saros for building blocks that can help them during what they hope will be Askarov's prime years.

If the Devils' current tandem stagnates, yeah, definitely gotta monitor the Preds' situation closely.  

Edited May 18 by Colorado Rockies 1976