I suppose it depends on what Calgary's draft board looks like. It seems that Zary was really their guy but maybe they only start trading down because they Devils take Mercer, for example.

I think Devils never had Schneider on their radar in the first place because if they really wanted him we could have just taken him. And a lot of people are saying the Mukhamadullin pick is really wild but I've read things saying that Russian prospects might have been undervalued in this draft for a number of reasons.

If Rangers really wanted Schneider I think it was a smart move to trade up to make sure you get him. But I don't think it's the huge loss for the Devils as a lot of fans think.
- Pomegrant

Thank goodness it seems like he wasnt on our radar, if we took him at 18 i wouldn't have liked the pick at all. He was the player i wanted to avoid the most at 18/20 as i just preferred to take higher upside picks, which we certainly did lol

Thank goodness it seems like he wasnt on our radar, if we took him at 18 i wouldn't have liked the pick at all. He was the player i wanted to avoid the most at 18/20 as i just preferred to take higher upside picks, which we certainly did lol
- vlongo4419

Same. For so long as an org we made the "safe" pick which is always a player with low ceiling and turn into fringe NHLers at best. Maybe some of these guys don't pan out but we made picks that could at least be something special.

@NJDevils
#NEWS: We have signed defenseman Dmitry Kulikov to a one-year contract.

Fitz's first move of the offseason I really dislike.

Devils have signed Dmitry Kulikov for 1 year, 1.15M

Fitz's first move of the offseason I really dislike.
- Pomegrant

Seems like its just another body for injury insurance for Murray, and to keep Carrick as the 7th D. Also more competition so we arent just rushing the kids, make them earn it. Indifferent move to me, dont like it and dont dislike it. 1 year deal so whatever, we can try to flip him at the deadline for a mid or late round pick if we chose to.

welp. 1yr, 1.15mil for Kulikov. 6'1, 205lbs, played 51 games last year and 57 the year before and 62 the year before that. Another lefty. Not a great dman, but it is what it is. So.. Smith will indeed be on the right.

Murray-Severson
Butcher-Subban
Kulikov-Smith

..or whatever they end up being.

Seems like its just another body for injury insurance for Murray, and to keep Carrick as the 7th D. Also more competition so we arent just rushing the kids, make them earn it. Indifferent move to me, dont like it and dont dislike it. 1 year deal so whatever, we can try to flip him at the deadline for a mid round pick if we chose to.
- vlongo4419

If he is in a limited role and a bottom pairing guy, he is serviceable. He is not the worst option but I think we could be doing better. But sure, low risk signing so either way it's not going to ruin the team.

Fitz's first move of the offseason I really dislike.
- Pomegrant

Better player and cheaper contract than Jack Johnson

So there's that

Better player and cheaper contract than Jack Johnson

So there's that
- Crushers68

Yeah just look at it this way, he's pretty much a more consistent Mueller honestly, although thats not saying much lol. I'm sure theres still more moves to be made

Yeah just look at it this way, he's pretty much a more consistent Mueller honestly, although thats not saying much lol. I'm sure theres still more moves to be made
- vlongo4419

trade him for Cernak

Better player and cheaper contract than Jack Johnson

So there's that
- Crushers68

I appreciate the optimism.

Honestly, I don’t think this is a bad signing. Not major but we need legit NHL defenders. He supposedly plays a heavy game. We have enough puck movers. We need a stronger d.

If he is in a limited role and a bottom pairing guy, he is serviceable. He is not the worst option but I think we could be doing better. But sure, low risk signing so either way it's not going to ruin the team.
- Pomegrant

Bang on! I am in the Jets broadcast region and see these guy probably as much as the Devs. Kuli is not much different then Mueller, great shot blocker/PK guy, but do not expect him to put up more than 12 points. A solid depth signing (which we need on LD) that we can use in the bottom pairing guy, and happily risk him being claimed off waivers if we choose to switch him for one of the prospects.

As a frequent Jets viewer, I would have preferred Sbisa, who is a better skater and not shy to drop the mitts. My guess is he stays in Winnipeg at this point tho.

I appreciate the optimism.

Honestly, I don’t think this is a bad signing. Not major but we need legit NHL defenders. He supposedly plays a heavy game. We have enough puck movers. We need a stronger d.
- Queenie_5_hole

More courageous than heavy. Not a big hitter/fighter, but does eat a ton of pucks. I like the signing.

hey question for you guys, do you think if the Devils had taken Braden Schneider at 18, they still would have gotten Dawson Mercer at 20 anyway?
- jimbro83

I don’t think so

More courageous than heavy. Not a big hitter/fighter, but does eat a ton of pucks. I like the signing.
- bikeguy99

I haven't seen him much so I appreciate your insight. I'm glad for the change even if it's not major signing. I feel like things just weren't working with Mueller. Maybe it was the Hynes/Nas defensive system but he seemed like a slow decision maker. Hopefully Kulikov can provide some stability.