My expectation for Bahl is firmly as a middle pairing defensive defenseman, but that kid doesn't play soft. He lays people out and can rag doll people in fights if necessary.
- willschulme

Yeah he throws his body around a lot, he'll be exactly what we need in our lineup. But yeah i also agree with the previous poster that most fans expectations of him, or any of our prospects in general, are waaay too high. A #4 D is his ceiling, he'll likely be a solid 3rd pairing shutdown/pk guy though. And some people are expecting him to jump right into the NHL next year but its not happening, he needs atleast 1 year in Bing. The only prospects who have a legit shot at making the team are Smith, Foote, and Kuokkanen. Anyone else who makes the jump to pro will be in Bingo

Does anyone else feel Nico and Jack handled their rookie seasons with different attitudes? Maybe I'm just being a hater? I feel like Nico knew he was drafted by a bad team but presented as excited to be in the league and with a focus to work hard and better himself. Hughes seems to have more of a passive attitude, like he knew he'd be in this league, and kind of bummed he's on a bad team so.. "well.. i'll try my best, but this sucks." Maybe its just me.
- MartysBetter88

I thought that too, but when you see him like at Palms foundation he was smiling and having a great time. I think he just feels bad he isnt doing more.

I wonder if his Gatorade deal has something to do with it. Maybe he should have stayed away from endorsements for a few years.

I thought that too, but when you see him like at Palms foundation he was smiling and having a great time. I think he just feels bad he isnt doing more.

I wonder if his Gatorade deal has something to do with it. Maybe he should have stayed away from endorsements for a few years.
- Leniwm1

He's 18 and this is a major life adjustment. I think he'll be fine, just like Nico.

How come we traded away some of our best players and now suck less?






Oh yeah..... goaltending.



Kinda funny how this season unfolded. Unless you're living thru it and then it's just a tragedy.

Shero when from offseason Hero to kicked to the curb at ludicrous speed.

FUNNY how Hughes has never been nominated at all..He is actually having a bad season and worries me...He has the worst +- on the team...

He needs wingers but might not not help.....
He is definitely NOT ready for the NHL....

any love for Zacha? He's playing so well.
- Leniwm1

I love Zacha as a bottom 6 guy. He passes the eye test with flying colours, but again fails to generate consistent offense. I can't give him an A on his report card with just 8 goals in the bank, but he certainly is an NHL'er that belongs with the club.

Lets hope we can land one quality UFA to help generate offense. Obviously Hall would be great, but only if he is willing so sacrifice on some Term. No way do I wan't him inked to a 7 year deal. 4 year 40M would be fantastic. If not, Hoffman would be a stellar addition as this team has a ton of high skilled playmakers, and not so many true snipers aside from Palms. So, Hoffman seems to be underpaid/undervalued on every contract he has ever inked. Maybe he is attainable for 4 years at 7.75M AAV? probably not, but one can dream. As for D, let Mirco walk, and replace him with Sbisa who has been very solid and physical with the Jets:

Hoffman Nico Gusev
Bratt Hughes Palms
Boq Zacha Merkley
Wood Zajac Anderson

Butcher P.K.
Smith Severson
Sbisa Carrick

It would be a 20M D core, 40.5M offense, and likely a 9M D pairing. Thats only 69.5M spent, but I am assuming Bratt is around 3M AAV, Blackwood 3M AAV, Hoffman 7.75M AAV, Anderson 1M, Sbisa 1M as an estimate, and haven't factored in the extra players. I wish that we could attract some big fish, but I don't see anyone rushing to sign with the Devs after the way this season has gone.

How come we traded away some of our best players and now suck less?






Oh yeah..... goaltending.



Kinda funny how this season unfolded. Unless you're living thru it and then it's just a tragedy.

Shero when from offseason Hero to kicked to the curb at ludicrous speed.
- Queenie_5_hole

Shero did a great service for NJ. His moves were rock solid, and the recent success of this club, is the same reason he was fired. He believed in our goaltending, and people were too impatient. Don't get me wrong, Fitz made amazing moves to help this clubs future, and we are getting a better look at what the younger guys are capable of. Not many people complained about the P.K trade at the time, obviously he has played horrible this season, but I can't blame Shero. Nobody anticipated such a massive decline. Now if we aren't a shaping up to be a playoff team by next trade deadline, Gusev will fetch us another massive haul, courtesy of Shero.

I love Zacha as a bottom 6 guy. He passes the eye test with flying colours, but again fails to generate consistent offense. I can't give him an A on his report card with just 8 goals in the bank, but he certainly is an NHL'er that belongs with the club.

Lets hope we can land one quality UFA to help generate offense. Obviously Hall would be great, but only if he is willing so sacrifice on some Term. No way do I wan't him inked to a 7 year deal. 4 year 40M would be fantastic. If not, Hoffman would be a stellar addition as this team has a ton of high skilled playmakers, and not so many true snipers aside from Palms. So, Hoffman seems to be underpaid/undervalued on every contract he has ever inked. Maybe he is attainable for 4 years at 7.75M AAV? probably not, but one can dream. As for D, let Mirco walk, and replace him with Sbisa who has been very solid and physical with the Jets:

Hoffman Nico Gusev
Bratt Hughes Palms
Boq Zacha Merkley
Wood Zajac Anderson

Butcher P.K.
Smith Severson
Sbisa Carrick

It would be a 20M D core, 40.5M offense, and likely a 9M D pairing. Thats only 69.5M spent, but I am assuming Bratt is around 3M AAV, Blackwood 3M AAV, Hoffman 7.75M AAV, Anderson 1M, Sbisa 1M as an estimate, and haven't factored in the extra players. I wish that we could attract some big fish, but I don't see anyone rushing to sign with the Devs after the way this season has gone.
- bikeguy99

Wasnt Hoffman the guy that caused trouble in the Sens lockeroom?

Wasnt Hoffman the guy that caused trouble in the Sens lockeroom?
- Leniwm1

No. It was his crazy wife or girlfriend. So sorta.

No. It was his crazy wife or girlfriend. So sorta.
- Queenie_5_hole

Can I just say, I REALLY believe Hall is coming back.

Can I just say, I REALLY believe Hall is coming back.
- Leniwm1

Eh, im gonna say that ship has sailed, i think he goes home and signs with Calgary. And honestly i dont think i'd want him at the price he'll get on the open market. I wouldnt want him for more than 9-9.5 per year and he's guaranteed 10-10.5, maybe even upwards of 11+ if theres a big bidding war.

Eh, im gonna say that ship has sailed, i think he goes home and signs with Calgary. And honestly i dont think i'd want him at the price he'll get on the open market. I wouldnt want him for more than 9-9.5 per year and he's guaranteed 10-10.5, maybe even upwards of 11+ if theres a big bidding war.
- vlongo4419

I think if he came to NJ he'd sign for 9ish @ 7 yrs. The team relied on him too much but since he left players figured out their game so he'd be coming back to a really good team.

I think if he came to NJ he'd sign for 9ish @ 7 yrs. The team relied on him too much but since he left players figured out their game so he'd be coming back to a really good team.
- Leniwm1

Wishful thinking but i think its incredibly unlikely

I'm more for just rolling with the kids next season, maybe adding either a forward or dman if a good one can be had.. and then go with our top 10 pick in the 2021 draft.. and THEN add through free agency. I don't think bringing in a Hall this offseason would be wise. I've lived enough years of meh hockey, what's one more?

I think if he came to NJ he'd sign for 9ish @ 7 yrs. The team relied on him too much but since he left players figured out their game so he'd be coming back to a really good team.
- Leniwm1

It's not a "really good" team. It's an OK team at best. The D is still bad. We just went 1-0-2 against 3 of the 5 worst teams in the league.

Eh, im gonna say that ship has sailed, i think he goes home and signs with Calgary. And honestly i dont think i'd want him at the price he'll get on the open market. I wouldnt want him for more than 9-9.5 per year and he's guaranteed 10-10.5, maybe even upwards of 11+ if theres a big bidding war.
- vlongo4419

I don't see why Calg would do that. With Tkachuk and Gaudreau already being there 1/2 punch on LW, I just don't see why Hall would come in an take away their TOI. Not to mention that Lucic is another big LW cap hit. If anything they need a RW. I just dont think a team that has been as financially responsible as Calg, would go and ink a guy who's numbers really aren't that impressive.50 points on the season is good, but is it good enough to commit that cap, while bumping either jonny hockey or Tkachuk down a line? Remember his second best season as a dev was just 53 points over his 4 year stint. I truly believe his value has taken a serious hit, and his hopes of an 8 year deal have drifted away unless he is willing to accept 10M or less as an AAV. If 55 points were his goal, he would have 7 seasons under and just 3 over. I know he has a great ppg stat, but that is a major risk for any organization. I imagine his next deal in the 4-5 year range.

Wasnt Hoffman the guy that caused trouble in the Sens lockeroom?
- Leniwm1

Ya his GF and Karlssons wife certainly have a history. Based on Hoffman's responses, he seems to think that Karlssons wife may have fabricated some of the stuff, and it really is hear-say. Both guys were shipped out, (surprisingly both to SJ for a brief moment), and Hoffman has continued to dominate, while Karlsson has become an absolute liability. Without concrete proof, I am fine with taking a shot at inking Hoffman, as we really need to add scoring on this squad. Gusev/Nico/Bratt/Hughes/Zacha are all guys who like to pass more than they shoot. Palms has benefited, but we need another trigger man. Hoffman/Hall/Krug/Pietrangelo/Dadanov/Toffoli, I really don't care. Any one of those, paired with our current prospects, and future 1st rounders can certainly help us take a major step forward. Blending these entry levels with some quality UFA's is the recipe for success.

I don't see why Calg would do that. With Tkachuk and Gaudreau already being there 1/2 punch on LW, I just don't see why Hall would come in an take away their TOI. Not to mention that Lucic is another big LW cap hit. If anything they need a RW. I just dont think a team that has been as financially responsible as Calg, would go and ink a guy who's numbers really aren't that impressive.50 points on the season is good, but is it good enough to commit that cap, while bumping either jonny hockey or Tkachuk down a line? Remember his second best season as a dev was just 53 points over his 4 year stint. I truly believe his value has taken a serious hit, and his hopes of an 8 year deal have drifted away unless he is willing to accept 10M or less as an AAV. If 55 points were his goal, he would have 7 seasons under and just 3 over. I know he has a great ppg stat, but that is a major risk for any organization. I imagine his next deal in the 4-5 year range.
- bikeguy99

Why wouldnt they do it? Its been widely reported that they were heavily in on Hall trying to trade for him and had an offer on the table, so why wouldnt they go after him when they were already willing to give up young/team controlled assets off their roster to get him 2 months ago, and now they can get him in free agency? They have a good amount of cap coming off the books too. They will absolutely be in on him come July 1

Why wouldnt they do it? Its been widely reported that they were heavily in on Hall trying to trade for him and had an offer on the table, so why wouldnt they go after him when they were already willing to give up young/team controlled assets off their roster to get him 2 months ago, and now they can get him in free agency? They have a good amount of cap coming off the books too. They will absolutely be in on him come July 1
- vlongo4419

Same reason they didn't actually trade for him in the first place. They discussed numbers on an extension and got scared. Just look at their contracts, they are a financially responsible team and will not move a quality contract such as Tkachuk or Gudreau (22 years old and 26 years old), who both have better point production at 7M AAV or less. Why force one of them out, for an injury riddled Hall who will be 29 next season? I know they kicked the tires on Hall, but it makes no sense to trade a young/cheap asset for a high risk player, especially when they have just 8 forwards, 3 D, and 1 tendy inked next season. I'd sooner worry about keeping Hamonic/Brodie on the squad, or Andersson will be their only RD remaining.

Same reason they didn't actually trade for him in the first place. They discussed numbers on an extension and got scared. Just look at their contracts, they are a financially responsible team and will not move a quality contract such as Tkachuk or Gudreau (22 years old and 26 years old), who both have better point production at 7M AAV or less. Why force one of them out, for an injury riddled Hall who will be 29 next season? I know they kicked the tires on Hall, but it makes no sense to trade a young/cheap asset for a high risk player, especially when they have just 8 forwards, 3 D, and 1 tendy inked next season. I'd sooner worry about keeping Hamonic/Brodie on the squad, or Andersson will be their only RD remaining.
- bikeguy99

They didnt trade for him in the first place because Shero ended up taking a different offer because he wanted more of a futures deal that included a 1st over a hockey trade, it had nothing to do with the Flames backing out. This is all known stuff thats been reported by a variety of places. They were willing to give up Hanifin, who seems pretty important for them playing the 2nd more ice time per game behind Giordano, in a deal for Hall. Its pretty clear they wanted him, and will absolutely be looking into him in free agency.

It's not a "really good" team. It's an OK team at best. The D is still bad. We just went 1-0-2 against 3 of the 5 worst teams in the league.
- MartysBetter88

We'll be a really good team.

Would you sign Big Buff?

We'll be a really good team.

Would you sign Big Buff?
- Leniwm1

he's been out of the game for a year, he's huge, he's older, he's probably slower and a liability on D. just my assumption.