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.
- bikeguy99

I definitely would rather try to see if we could add a first round pick to take a contract with 1-2 years on it or see if we can poach a good young player like Cernak or Kapanen before looking to free agency.

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?
- rmdevil313

If things are relatively normal and the owners are OK with spending some money I'd try to bring in defensive help and keep Gusev and Palms. The hope is to keep the term closer to 4-5 years then the real long term stuff; but who knows how possible that is. As long as we have some movement options (meaning no NTC or NMC) I think all these guys are moveable after a two years to evaluate how it's going.

In a couple of years when we have to start giving other young players bigger contracts the cap should start going up.

I don't think anything makes us a lock for the playoffs. There is too much uncertainty with this team. BUT I don't think we are that far away if we can get a good coach and a couple of pieces.

If things are relatively normal and the owners are OK with spending some money I'd try to bring in defensive help and keep Gusev and Palms. The hope is to keep the term closer to 4-5 years then the real long term stuff; but who knows how possible that is. As long as we have some movement options (meaning no NTC or NMC) I think all these guys are moveable after a two years to evaluate how it's going.

In a couple of years when we have to start giving other young players bigger contracts the cap should start going up.

I don't think anything makes us a lock for the playoffs. There is too much uncertainty with this team. BUT I don't think we are that far away if we can get a good coach and a couple of pieces.
- Queenie_5_hole

I'm not against getting one of them, but with the flat cap getting both will probably put us close to the cap or needing to walk away from one of one of Palms/Gusev. IMO we should aim for the offseason Subban and Schneider come off the books to try and push the team over the top.

I'm not against getting one of them, but with the flat cap getting both will probably put us close to the cap or needing to walk away from one of one of Palms/Gusev. IMO we should aim for the offseason Subban and Schneider come off the books to try and push the team over the top.
- rmdevil313

We'll have to see how it plays out and how good a job our 'new' GM can do planning this out. Extending Palms and Goose shouldn't be an issue cap wise unless we add an expensive contract on D. In retrospect I think the Nico deal might be a little restrictive in the short term because I don't think he'd get that deal now. But with Zajac, PK and Schneider coming off the books in a couple years there is flexibility.

At worst (pandemic aside) either Palms or Goose are valuable trade chips at the next deadline, so if we can land a real quality defender in the offseason I'd do it.

PLUS: IF we keep Cory as the backup and he has more hip issues he could end up on LTIR. We just need to make sure we have a legit NHL backup in the Bing to bring up. Could be Zane McIntyre....

I really hope Hischier lives up to that deal. 7.25 is a lot, even in today's standards.

I don't think we'll have a cap issue moving forward. I think Hughes could at best match 7.25. I don't see any other young forward coming close to that. I'd be comfortable giving Palmieri and Gusev 6 each, providing Gus has a season next year to warrant that. Bratt, Boqvist, Zacha, Bahl, Foote, won't break the bank. Maybe Zajac comes back 1 season at a time as the 3rd/4th line guy, or maybe we trade him at the deadline next season, which I think could bring us a decent return.
On defense, Subban's 9mil madness will be gone, Severson won't cost us more than 6, and Butcher may be gone or brought back for cheap. Smith's next deal won't be more than 6 unless he has a Makar-type pair of seasons.
Schneider will be gone, but I don't see Blackwood getting over 6.

So that leaves us with this year's picks, and even next year's picks. Maybe one of them ends up with a 7+ mil deal? MAYBE 2? and that's after the ELCs are up of course.

I know I'm not doing the exact math and figures, but my estimations say this leaves room for at least 1 UFA over 8mil and a UFA around 5mil. When we look at Dillon/Pietrangelo, we're probably looking at 6 years to snag them with term to go with price, which takes them to 36, which I'm okay with. That will overlap their deals with EVERY other 1st big contract for our kids, plus Gusev and Palmieri.

alright, fine I did the rough math. Some are maybe more generous than others but we'll see what happens. These deals reflect about 4 years from now (Nico's final year of his current deal).

Palms 6, Gus 6, Nico 7, Hughes 7, Zacha 4, Bratt 4 =34mil. That's our current core on offense. It's not bad, and a nice mix of veterans and youth. For kicks, lets hope for substantial seasons from both Foote and Boqvist. Maybe 1 gets more, maybe 1 gets less, but we'll average 4mil each. 42mil total for 8 forwards.

On D we have no one signed, but lets assume we bring back Severson for 6mil. Lets assume and pray Smith is good enough to land 6mil. We'll cross our nuts Bahl will be good enough for 4mil. 16mil for half the D.

Give Blackwood 6mil and a 1mil backup. Keeping in mind Blackwood would now have 3 more years experience by this point. 7mil for G.

That's 65 out of what will probably 87mil cap. 22 to work with to sign depth forwards, 3 other D, and an extra. We'll assume 2 are on ELCs, and this year's draft pick lands 7! and another guy makes 2. There's another 11 million in cap. Only 11 left to play with. 11 million to fill out the defense, + another roster spot to fill. I'd like to think another 1 of this year and next year's picks is good enough to be in that 6-8 range.


The final breakdown for our roster in 2023-2024

#1 7 - Hischier 7 - Palmieri 6
Boqvist 4 - Hughes 7 - Gusev 6
Foote 4 - Zacha 4 - Bratt 4
ELC 1 - ELC 1- UFA/whoever 2

Sanderson 6 - Severson 6
Smith 6 - whoever 3
Bahl 4 - ELC 1
ELC 1

Blackwood 6
Backup 1

That puts us at 87. Who knows, maybe the cap is less than that and closer to the 81 it is now. Maybe Boqvist, Foote, Zacha, Bratt and Bahl each earn 1mil less.

If this is how things pan out, it seems we can't afford a UFA this year without letting one of Palms or Gusev go. Could we make it work 3 years from now instead of 4? Yes, because this year's picks will still be on their ELC, and Severson will be around 4.. saving us 15mil, by my projected estimates here. .. more than enough room for a juicy rental or 2. So then, 2022-2023 is the year to go all-in. We can't sign a big UFA now that will overlap these deals into 2023-2024.

But.. I'm still on the fence if they should go after a dman. I don't think all my salary projections will come true. I was intentionally being generous. Severson can't be the only NHL dman on the team. I know there is Subban.. and I'm sure the kids can learn from him, but we need someone with the abilities between Dillon and Pietrangelo. The treasure trove of kids on this team need talented experienced NHL players to learn from.

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

Our D is a joke. Vats was good, and Severson has shown that he is a legit top 4 D going forward. Aside from that, PK was a joke, and Butcher took a step back with no signs of growth. I do think we can target some realistic and affordable D that will get the job done. Demelo is a boring, but steady reliable RD, currently making just 900k. Gustafsson is going to be a steal for whoever gets him. Very underappreciated LD, and likely signing short term through his prime age. I bet we could nab him for no more than 3M AAV. I would not turn Vats away either if he was open to a short term deal (1-2 years). Guys like Pietterangelo/Krug are just too risky.

As for our RW deficiency. I can't imagine teams like Toronto with Marner/Nylander/Kapanen, or, Vegas' Stone/Marschessault/Touch maintaining that high payroll for 3 RW's, especially if they win the Alexis Laffrenier in the lotter. Someone is going to be forced to sell at a very low value given this cap crunch, and lets hope its our boys reaping the rewards!

Our D is a joke. Vats was good, and Severson has shown that he is a legit top 4 D going forward. Aside from that, PK was a joke, and Butcher took a step back with no signs of growth. I do think we can target some realistic and affordable D that will get the job done. Demelo is a boring, but steady reliable RD, currently making just 900k. Gustafsson is going to be a steal for whoever gets him. Very underappreciated LD, and likely signing short term through his prime age. I bet we could nab him for no more than 3M AAV. I would not turn Vats away either if he was open to a short term deal (1-2 years). Guys like Pietterangelo/Krug are just too risky.

As for our RW deficiency. I can't imagine teams like Toronto with Marner/Nylander/Kapanen, or, Vegas' Stone/Marschessault/Touch maintaining that high payroll for 3 RW's, especially if they win the Alexis Laffrenier in the lotter. Someone is going to be forced to sell at a very low value given this cap crunch, and lets hope its our boys reaping the rewards!
- bikeguy99

You are right that a guy like Demelo, Gustafsson or even Vats is the most likely get for D help. I still cling to the hope that a new head coach and defensive system can help out the guys we have; but if we end up with Ruff that seems unlikely.

You are right that a guy like Demelo, Gustafsson or even Vats is the most likely get for D help. I still cling to the hope that a new head coach and defensive system can help out the guys we have; but if we end up with Ruff that seems unlikely.
- Queenie_5_hole

we don't have any guys. we have 1 guy in Severson. we have a shadow of a guy in PK. we have a 6th dman in Butcher. then we have a bunch of practice squad and rookie players

I wonder what the chances are we bring back Vatanen or Greene for a year. meh.

thought this was interesting. a breakdown of teams close to the cap. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=glujT5v4t30

I wonder what the chances are we bring back Vatanen or Greene for a year. meh.

thought this was interesting. a breakdown of teams close to the cap. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=glujT5v4t30
- MartysBetter88

Greene is likely to sign a one year deal but Vats isn’t. If it wasn’t for the Pandemic probably hurting UFA contracts then I’d think there was zero chance on Vats short term.

I wonder what the chances are we bring back Vatanen or Greene for a year. meh.

thought this was interesting. a breakdown of teams close to the cap. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=glujT5v4t30
- MartysBetter88

Pass on Greene. We need 3 top 4 D which is the insane part. Gustafsson and Vats could certainly live up to that need, and on a short term basis. Smith is going to be the X factor. I am sure he will be sheltered, but he also needs a solid partner or his season will be a disaster. I think he and Vats would be a great pairing. Both guys are comfortable playing either side, and would likely combine for less than 6M. A Demelo/Gustafsson line would be fantastic as well. Demelo is a reliable defensive presence, and Gus can get the green light to be his offensive, 61 point self. That pairing would likely cost about 6M as well. Then we still have Severson and Butch which is a ton of depth. Sorry PK, but I have Mermis ahead of you in our depth charts so enjoy riding the bus.

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.


- brodeurman89

Totally

Not sure if it will impact his decision and maybe make him change his mind but Ivy League programs have been informed that fall sports have been cancelled and will not entertain any winter sports until after January 1st at the earliest. Could make Reilly Walsh decide to sign with us instead of not being able to play hockey for a year

Hell is real. Weekes says the coach is Ruff and the GM is Fitz.

BREAKING NEWS via Kevin Weekes. Devils expected to name Lindey Ruff head coach and remove the interim tag from Fitz

I'll get it started early. Fire Ruff

Guess the owners are committed to getting another high draft pick. Wonderful.

BREAKING NEWS via Kevin Weekes. Devils expected to name Lindey Ruff head coach and remove the interim tag from Fitz
- vlongo4419

And do you know why Ruff is the choice? He's the only coach desperate enough to take the lowball offer our pathetic owners put on the table. Because based on Ruff's history in the past 5 years with teams, let alone relations with young players.. There is zero reason to hire him if you want to improve your team..which leaves literally one other reason hes the coach: money. Other coaches know their worth and know they can get it. Ruff took what he could get. I loathe our owners. Its disgusting and disrespect to the fans. You bring in literally the worst option that has been rumored...and thats based on fact..not opinion. Freaking joke. A team constructed of 24 and under players.. 1st round picks..all in need of developing amd learning to be better.. And we hire the antithesis of that. Unbelievable..but I called it. So pathetic.

Ruff is quite possibly the worst choice. Not only that the Rags will have 2 years to laugh harder at us. Sad day in Devils history.

Brightside: at least your coach looks like a younger Wilford Brimley

Guess the owners are committed to getting another high draft pick. Wonderful.
- Pomegrant

Taking the (frank)ed long term approach to running a team.

It's official. Everything is bad.

Ruff is quite possibly the worst choice. Not only that the Rags will have 2 years to laugh harder at us. Sad day in Devils history.
- redmonsters

He is without question the worst option, for a team of developing youngsters that need the best option. Nauseating.

One thing some are overlooking is that either Fitz has no power or he's responsible for this hire. Both those options suck. Doomed.

One thing some are overlooking is that either Fitz has no power or he's responsible for this hire. Both those options suck. Doomed.
- rmdevil313

I'm gonna say ownership had a big involvement in this hiring