Offseason Grade

[Nasty_Magician]

#1 pk in the league, low goals against, a top tier goaltender and we can roll 4 lines. There is absolutely no reason fans should have low expectations if we make the playoffs. The Rangers were a slightly above average team with an elite goaltender, they weren't leaps and bounds better than everyone.

Cam maybe doesn't help with our shootout woes but he probably makes it so that we don't need to worry about a shootout. Add a 20-25 goal scorer to our team last year and we make the playoffs. We very rarely got outplayed or blown out. They were all close games. They were a legit scorer away from being a playoff team and at that point anything is possible. This was a very positive offseason.

 

[nj_cup]

we just disagree.

like i said this team was a "playoff team" last year with a few bounces going their way. i really doubt they would've gone 0-13 again in the shootout this year. also without a shit marty taking starts from cory those 2 factors alone would mean they SHOULD make the playoffs. to think they could make a run to the finals is just NONSENSE. sure i want them to make the finals and win the cup who doesn't but to think they have a chance at it just isn't going to happen. but hey thats why we have these boards and opinions.

 

[CalamityX11]

Got to try n take Kane....

find a way!

 

[MadCaptain]

Cup,

I know your stance hasn't ever changed with these contracts but have you ever thought there are situations where overpaying players is fine?

I look at the team right now and see a huge influx of young defensemen. They are making peanuts this year at a little over $11 mil, likely lower than that the next two years with Sal and Zid leaving, and probably not going over $15 mil 5 years from now as the young guys eat up their RFA years.

They have roughly $53 mil this year to work with forwards, which comes out to be $4.4 mil per player. Slightly less if they fill out a full 23 man roster.

Why should Lou be paying their 4th line $4 mil like most other teams when they can spend a lot more than those teams on forwards. He can spend $9 mil on the 4th line with Zubrus and Ruutu and have the best 4th line in the league while still having more money to spend on the top 3 lines than most other teams.

I had the same philosophy with Rolston when you were losing your hair with him making $5 mil. We had Zach and Travis playing top 6 and making under $3 mil total. The extra money then went to support Rolston as a very good 3rd liner/PP specialist.

I don't expect you to change your viewpoint. It is probably more right than wrong in reality. Individually, guys like Ruutu and Zubrus are overpaid for what they bring to the team and Clowe seems like a disaster. If you were to view the team as a whole, however, it makes a lot more sense why these guys were brought in.

 

[MCDevils]

Cup,

They have roughly $53 mil this year to work with forwards, which comes out to be $4.4 mil per player. Slightly less if they fill out a full 23 man roster.

Why should Lou be paying their 4th line $4 mil like most other teams when they can spend a lot more than those teams on forwards. He can spend $9 mil on the 4th line with Zubrus and Ruutu and have the best 4th line in the league while still having more money to spend on the top 3 lines than most other teams.

That's a great point. There really wasn't anyone out there that you can point to and say, the devils really should have broken the bank for this guy in FA. Gaborik, Vanek, Stastny basically all took less in either term or $$ to go to the three most likely destinations. Even if the Devils pay a lot of money for a 4th line that includes Zubrus and Ruutu an JJ, I don't really have a problem with it because they're going to produce more points. Theoretically this has to be one of the deepest offensive squads we've ever had. We'll see what happens.

 

[DevilishWon]

Rookie camp updates anyone

Just to get started, the Roster;

Devils set to open rookie camp with 41 prospects, including 3 Brodeurs | NJ.com

So far looks like they are liking the Quenneville kid and a few of the young D. seems we now have surplus young D and excess old F.....

John Quenneville, Devils' first-round draft pick, eyes swift rise to NHL | NJ.com

Devils' rookie defenseman Damon Severson believes his time for the NHL is now | NJ.com

A nice Salvador replacement perhaps?

Steven Santini has making of a defensive anchor for Devils | NJ.com

 

[CalamityX11]

I really want to drop Brunner and play Boucher more... everyone cool with that? lol

 

[nj_cup]

That's a great point. There really wasn't anyone out there that you can point to and say, the devils really should have broken the bank for this guy in FA. Gaborik, Vanek, Stastny basically all took less in either term or $$ to go to the three most likely destinations. Even if the Devils pay a lot of money for a 4th line that includes Zubrus and Ruutu an JJ, I don't really have a problem with it because they're going to produce more points. Theoretically this has to be one of the deepest offensive squads we've ever had. We'll see what happens.

me personally i wouldn't have signed camalari here IMO no need for him.

this team without him is a playoff contender. WITH HIM they are still just a playoff contender....he isn't putting them over the top he isn't putting them in the same class as pitt or boston or heck even the rangers IMO. all he does is eat up a roster spot from someone else that could've got it.

i will say this i dont mind camalari on this team IFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF

ruutu wasn't traded for
or
if clowe didn't get that insane contract

just too much dead wood on this roster when you factor in ryder and brunner

 

[nj_cup]

i'm going to go out on a limb and say this team compete's for a playoff spot all season long. 50/50 on if they get it or not.

deadline coming...................devils have some serious assets to move which will give this team some needed youth and cap space. but they wont move on it. this team has so much "deadline" talent its sickening!

salvador.....any team at the deadline would love to add that "stay at home vet"
zidlicky....o d men are always needed at the deadline
ryder....streaky goal scoring fits perfectly on someone's 3rd line.
brunner sucks but hey who knows maybe someone will want him.
jagr......puts up another season like last season and he easily fetches a #1 pick.

but they will keep them we will probably squeak in with the 7th or 8th and get thrashed in the first round unless cory steals us 4 games. after missing the playoffs 3 out of 4 years it will be viewed as a success story. blah

 

[irishwhip03]

I will say this..if there is one season for us to just flat out suck its this upcoming one. Like Cup said lotsssss of deadline talent. Could get that youth movement going really quickly if were out of it come deadline time. Dont see that happening though.

The East has gotten even weaker this offseason (if thats even possible). Bruins are probably still the favs in the Atlantic but they lost a lot. If Price is healthy the Habs will contend for that division.

As for the Metro I didnt think the Pens firing Blysma or trading Neal were good moves. Rangers lost a ton! Flyers will be average. Jackets could continue their rise. Isles will be better. Still tons of question marks though. As wide open as the West is the East is right there with em. Just not talent wise.

You could pretty much pick the 8 teams that will get in the playoffs out West and get either 7 or 8 of em right.

East I think everyone has a shot to get there except Buffalo. So getting there would have its advantages. A first round matchup against the B's or Pens wouldn't worry me as much as it would've last season.

 

[nj_cup]

I will say this..if there is one season for us to just flat out suck its this upcoming one. Like Cup said lotsssss of deadline talent. Could get that youth movement going really quickly if were out of it come deadline time. Dont see that happening though.

The East has gotten even weaker this offseason (if thats even possible). Bruins are probably still the favs in the Atlantic but they lost a lot. If Price is healthy the Habs will contend for that division.

As for the Metro I didnt think the Pens firing Blysma or trading Neal were good moves. Rangers lost a ton! Flyers will be average. Jackets could continue their rise. Isles will be better. Still tons of question marks though. As wide open as the West is the East is right there with em. Just not talent wise.

You could pretty much pick the 8 teams that will get in the playoffs out West and get either 7 or 8 of em right.

East I think everyone has a shot to get there except Buffalo. So getting there would have its advantages. A first round matchup against the B's or Pens wouldn't worry me as much as it would've last season.

I agree the east is wide open and to some extent even more then last year. Problem is the devils still don't have that go to guy that can dominate and take over a period if needed. The way that kovy could and somewhat praise. Add all the 20 goal scores you want but those are just streaky goals your banking on. Going into the 3rd tied against rask or lundqvist I don't see Ryder potting one to take the lead....that's just how I see it

Can we all agree making the playoffs in the east should have a * with it

 

[MCDevils]

i'm going to go out on a limb and say this team compete's for a playoff spot all season long. 50/50 on if they get it or not.

deadline coming...................devils have some serious assets to move which will give this team some needed youth and cap space. but they wont move on it. this team has so much "deadline" talent its sickening!

salvador.....any team at the deadline would love to add that "stay at home vet"
zidlicky....o d men are always needed at the deadline
ryder....streaky goal scoring fits perfectly on someone's 3rd line.
brunner sucks but hey who knows maybe someone will want him.
jagr......puts up another season like last season and he easily fetches a #1 pick.

but they will keep them we will probably squeak in with the 7th or 8th and get thrashed in the first round unless cory steals us 4 games. after missing the playoffs 3 out of 4 years it will be viewed as a success story. blah

I think they'll make it. Keep in mind that last year, if we won 3 of 13 shootouts and Cory played in yankee stadium, we're in the playoffs.....

 

[MCDevils]

We do have some hopefully NHL level forward prospects. I still firmly believe that JJ should get a shot. Boucher had a good first year, Matteau showed that he can do it, but needs to get consistent. Graham Black had an outstanding year.

 

[nj_cup]

I think they'll make it. Keep in mind that last year, if we won 3 of 13 shootouts and Cory played in yankee stadium, we're in the playoffs.....

i agree which is why i dont think we need camalari on this team. adding a 20 goal scorer isn't putting us over the top

 

[MCDevils]

i agree which is why i dont think we need camalari on this team. adding a 20 goal scorer isn't putting us over the top

I can't help.

 

[nj_cup]

I can't either 32 years old 5 year 5 million lol oooook

 

[CalamityX11]

I can play 2.5 million over 3......

PDB takes one look at me and bam too the bench!!!!

 

[Burghfan]

What difference does it make? The Devils don't draw well no matter what kind of team they have. Last year they were 24th in the league in home attendance. They were just ahead of Winnipeg and just behind Carolina. 2012 - 2013 they were 20th, but that was an aberration because the previous year they were 24th. The funny thing is they made the playoffs in 2012 - 2013 and 2011 - 2012. If the fans aren't going to support a winning team, then maybe they need to move somewhere where they will be appreciated.

 

[MadCaptain]

What difference does it make? The Devils don't draw well no matter what kind of team they have. Last year they were 24th in the league in home attendance. They were just ahead of Winnipeg and just behind Carolina. 2012 - 2013 they were 20th, but that was an aberration because the previous year they were 24th. The funny thing is they made the playoffs in 2012 - 2013 and 2011 - 2012. If the fans aren't going to support a winning team, then maybe they need to move somewhere where they will be appreciated.

You are right. The NYC metro area is a poor market. I heard the Atlanta market is much larger. The Devils should move down there!

 

[Indian Chief]

What difference does it make? The Devils don't draw well no matter what kind of team they have. Last year they were 24th in the league in home attendance. They were just ahead of Winnipeg and just behind Carolina. 2012 - 2013 they were 20th, but that was an aberration because the previous year they were 24th. The funny thing is they made the playoffs in 2012 - 2013 and 2011 - 2012. If the fans aren't going to support a winning team, then maybe they need to move somewhere where they will be appreciated.

You're trying too hard. Way too hard.