Todd Cordell: Cory Schneider's contract will remain a nuisance going forward

Hello Todd, great article as always. Some thoughts/questions. In one way Cory helps them get to the floor - correct me if I am wrong but that might be an issue if they do not make a large free agent signing. Also can he be kept to comply with expansion draft? And would he not be insurance down in the Bing assuming we sign a decent backup? All of these seem to be a safer route than incurring those buyout hits.

Dillon-Pietrangelo
Smith-Severson
Sanderson-Subban
Bahl-Carrick

we're set. absolutely set for at least the next 5 years, which would put Pietrangelo at 35 and Dillon at 34. Smith and Sanderson will be studs by that point and able to carry their respective top 2 pairs. Bahl will be the perfect 3rd pair guy. Subban will be gone soon enough, and Severson will have the veteran D role. It's a shame Butcher's trade value is low right now with that 3.73 mil deal for the next 2 seasons. Maybe we don't sign Dillon and roll with Butcher, Smith, Sanderson on the left side. Dillon just gives us that defensive no-nonsense presence the team sorely lacks.

We could do this..
Cap won't be an issue next year or the year after. And then Schneider, Subban and Wood are off the books, so that frees up 17.75mil for Hughes and Zacha, and saving room for the future. This is why I'm also not concerned about re-signing Palmieri and Gusev the year before those 3 contracts expire. Zajac's contract expires the same year as Palms/Gusev, so that money will be split between the 2. We'll also have freed up 3mil for Hall, 2.5 Simmonds, 2.437 Vatanen after this season is through.

Swimming in cap space after this season is done.. about 26mil to be exact.

Blackwood is a RFA, as are Bratt, Anderson, Merkley, Hayden, Mueller, White, Mermis.

I think grabbing Pietrangelo and/or Dillon would be perfect for this team. 2 veteran dmen who have leadership abilities and talents to teach all of our young dmen how to play defense.. on both the more offensive side and more defensive.

I think the forwards consisting entirely of kids besides Zajac, Palms, Gusev, NEED to have a talented veteran/leader- and that role goes to Palmieri. The defense, entirely made up of trash+kids+Severson, needs a veteran leader with talent. Perfect role for Pietrangelo. Subban/Severson kind of bring some of that, but we need top tier talent for our kids to further inspire and guide them to become top tier players. I think the guys in the room make just as much of a difference as the coaches. This team needs a shot of greatness in the arm to help develop and bring the 70% of it that's under 24 to the next level.

just deal with the Subban contract for 2 more years. We'll be fine. As Palpatine once said- "Dewit".

I genuinely feel bad for Schneider.

Boy, when goalies start to decline, it happens FAST.

I genuinely feel bad for Schneider.

Boy, when goalies start to decline, it happens FAST.
- GalacticStone

It’s likely all injury related and not normal decline.

I know someone who was a college goalie and had the same hip problem and surgery as Cory. He says it’s harder to come back from then we think. He was younger when he had it and it ended his career.

We may not have a playoff. The line is so thin.

We may not have a playoff. The line is so thin.
- MartysBetter88

And Blue.

We may not have a playoff. The line is so thin.
- MartysBetter88

Good

I know there's nothing happening, but no one has any thoughts on this?

Dillon-Pietrangelo
Smith-Severson
Sanderson-Subban
Butcher-Carrick

I think we need to get either Dillon or Pietrangelo or both. Both fill huge needs this team has, and will continue to have without them.

I know there's nothing happening, but no one has any thoughts on this?

Dillon-Pietrangelo
Smith-Severson
Sanderson-Subban
Butcher-Carrick

I think we need to get either Dillon or Pietrangelo or both. Both fill huge needs this team has, and will continue to have without them.
- MartysBetter88

Yeah totally cool with that if carrick and subban didn’t exist.

Yeah totally cool with that if carrick and subban didn’t exist.
- shvingter88

question: do people get notifications when there is a new post on here? like is there an app or something? You replied minutes after I posted lol.

Yeah totally cool with that if carrick and subban didn’t exist.
- shvingter88

they're not too bad as 6th and 7th dmen.

I know there's nothing happening, but no one has any thoughts on this?

Dillon-Pietrangelo
Smith-Severson
Sanderson-Subban
Butcher-Carrick

I think we need to get either Dillon or Pietrangelo or both. Both fill huge needs this team has, and will continue to have without them.
- MartysBetter88

Only thing I'd be worried about is that we're paying the best years of Dillon and Pietrangelo when we aren't competing, and their contracts will have a decent chance of not being great value when we hopefully are. But how free agency unfolds is anyones guess with the flat cap and how many teams don't have much flexibility.

question: do people get notifications when there is a new post on here? like is there an app or something? You replied minutes after I posted lol.
- MartysBetter88

No I just wait around for your posts.

It was probably just coincidence.

Lol yay!

Only thing I'd be worried about is that we're paying the best years of Dillon and Pietrangelo when we aren't competing, and their contracts will have a decent chance of not being great value when we hopefully are. But how free agency unfolds is anyones guess with the flat cap and how many teams don't have much flexibility.
- rmdevil313

The timing is last thing I'd worry about. Neither guy is going to sign a short term deal. If we aren't competitive in the next couple of years it means our prospects aren't developing well and we can move these guys out. But at some point you have to bring in talent and take your shot. We can't keep running out a joke of a D.

That said, I doubt we'd land one of these guys let alone both.

looking forward to a post on the next 3 potential picks- Perfetti, Raymond, Sanderson

That rounds out our realistic best 6 options- Drysdale, Rossi, Holtz, Perfetti, Raymond, Sanderson.
It would be just unbelievably incredible if we landed 9th overall. We'd for sure end up with 2 of these guys. There's a chance if we pick 10th and 11th, but that would mean another team picks someone else over one of these players, and then another team picks someone ELSE than the guy that just got picked AND 1 of these players. I just don't see it. I'd be surprised if Askarov goes 9th or 10th.

You have Askarov, Lundell, Quinn, Jarvis, Mercer, Gunler, Zary, and then guys like Schneider and Guhle.

I just don't see any of those guys going before Sanderson, Perfetti, Raymond, Rossi, Holtz. Mayyybe Lundell? Mayybe Askarov? I'd be happy to have Lundell, Quinn, Gunler, Schneider on the team. Maybe we'll land all 3 of Sanderson, Perfetti, Gunler! We'll see.

looking forward to a post on the next 3 potential picks- Perfetti, Raymond, Sanderson

That rounds out our realistic best 6 options- Drysdale, Rossi, Holtz, Perfetti, Raymond, Sanderson.
It would be just unbelievably incredible if we landed 9th overall. We'd for sure end up with 2 of these guys. There's a chance if we pick 10th and 11th, but that would mean another team picks someone else over one of these players, and then another team picks someone ELSE than the guy that just got picked AND 1 of these players. I just don't see it. I'd be surprised if Askarov goes 9th or 10th.

You have Askarov, Lundell, Quinn, Jarvis, Mercer, Gunler, Zary, and then guys like Schneider and Guhle.

I just don't see any of those guys going before Sanderson, Perfetti, Raymond, Rossi, Holtz. Mayyybe Lundell? Mayybe Askarov? I'd be happy to have Lundell, Quinn, Gunler, Schneider on the team. Maybe we'll land all 3 of Sanderson, Perfetti, Gunler! We'll see.
- MartysBetter88

I doubt we’ll pick 9th but I’d bet someone picks different then you’re expecting.

Todd Cordell: Cory Schneider's contract will remain a nuisance going forward
- Todd.Cordell

A simple 2 year bridge with Blackwood would carry until Schneids if off the books. It is the only logical option. The flexibility is there right now, and I honestly would not be upset if the Devs took on another bad contract in exchange for some great picks/prospects.

A simple 2 year bridge with Blackwood would carry until Schneids if off the books. It is the only logical option. The flexibility is there right now, and I honestly would not be upset if the Devs took on another bad contract in exchange for some great picks/prospects.
- bikeguy99

I'd do it in a heartbeat. I doubt our owners would though. Just 1 player though. We have kids ready to take spots. But then again, we could bench said player. I was going through rosters, 5 teams in.. but I've stopped because our owners wouldn't do this. Maybe I'm nuts. I just don't see it.

just looking at salaries.. Boston is so set for the next few years with their core all on great deals. They'll get Krug done. Rask and Halak are up after next year. But McAvoy, 2 more years at 4.9. Bergeron, 2 more years at 6.8, Pasta 3 more years at 6.6! Marchand 5 years at 6.1! Coyle has 6 yrs at 5.25.. I guess he's really good? Krejci is 7.25 next year but is then a UFA. Nice situation over there.

Tonight's flavor of the month has me hoping for Sanderson at 7 and Quinn at 10. I don't think Quinn is far off from Holtz, and may have more of a motor. Sanderson will be a legit #2 dman, which means one of the best dmen the Devils have seen in a long time. In my mind, the guy could be no worse than in his prime Greene, and who knows what his ceiling is. Schneider at 17.. one of the better hitting dmen in the draft.

Then you have a defense for the next 2-10 years.. of..

Sanderson-Severson
Smith-Schneider
Bahl-who cares

and imagine if we signed a Krug or Pietrangelo.. the right side becomes a thing of beauty. You could pair 2-way Severson with Bahl and keep offensive D Smith with shutdown Schneider. It's beautiful. But regardless, my wish list is in. Gimme Sanderson, Schneider, and the best goal scorer in the draft Quinn. What else do you need? Our defense prospect pool.. and starters.. lack a top-pair D. Maybe Smith can be that, by why not add a legit literal 2-way dman that is exceptional in his own end? Having a great defense can lead to more offense. Sign me up.

A simple 2 year bridge with Blackwood would carry until Schneids if off the books. It is the only logical option. The flexibility is there right now, and I honestly would not be upset if the Devs took on another bad contract in exchange for some great picks/prospects.
- bikeguy99

I’m guessing there is going to be a lot of financial uncertainty thru the free agent period. If the Rock isn’t open and making money I doubt our ownership is going to add any more payroll then absolutely necessary. I can’t blame them on that.

I think that’s part of why we don’t have a new permanent GM (even if it’s Fitzy) or a new Head Coach.

The owners are probably thanking their lucky stars that Cory has that contract. They need to hit the floor. Don't expect any free agent signings or any at least any of note that will take up any cap space. Devils are going to have the lowest payroll in the league especially once the retained salaries come off the books. Other than Mac, no one needs to be resigned that is going to command more than 2 Milly per. If the owners could go below the floor, they would. We might be the one team that is cool with a $6 Milly backup.

I’m guessing there is going to be a lot of financial uncertainty thru the free agent period. If the Rock isn’t open and making money I doubt our ownership is going to add any more payroll then absolutely necessary. I can’t blame them on that.

I think that’s part of why we don’t have a new permanent GM (even if it’s Fitzy) or a new Head Coach.
- Queenie_5_hole

There is going to be a ton of uncertainty going forward. Heck, 7M may be the highest AAV bid on Hall after this goes down. Hoffman/Dadanon/Pietterangelo all will have very limited options if they aren't willing to take significant pay cuts. This cap crunch benefits the Devs more than any team.

In a dream scenario, Hughes/Smith/Gusev/Boq/Blackwood/Bahl will all be getting serious pay raises as their game continues to grow, and stockpiling some more cap friendly. Obviously PK and Schneids 15M AAV would be off the books, but having a stockpile of quality picks right now, allows for a couple seasons of developement before those cap-friendly entry level deals are ready to join the potentially expensive roster. Backes and Jake Allen both have 1 season remaining, and could potentially benefit our roster while bringing back a solid pick/prospect.

Just look at Tampa. They need a minimum of 8 guys signed, including Sergachev/Cerelli/Maroon/Shatts and have just 5.5M to spend on those 8 guys. Something drastic has to be done there. I honestly would not be surprised if they tried to move Stammers.

The timing is last thing I'd worry about. Neither guy is going to sign a short term deal. If we aren't competitive in the next couple of years it means our prospects aren't developing well and we can move these guys out. But at some point you have to bring in talent and take your shot. We can't keep running out a joke of a D.

That said, I doubt we'd land one of these guys let alone both.
- Queenie_5_hole

Do you think those moves make us a lock for the playoffs? What would the plan be for Gusev and Palmieri with no rise in the salary cap next season?