I honestly couldn't care less about the pick when it comes to playing the Rangers and Flyers. Win the (frank)ing games. When youre a young team like this team, those are the games you need to learn to win. Absolutely pathetic
- vlongo4419

Then I suppose the silver lining is there’s only 8 games left before we are out of our misery.

Also, hope Mango is okay! Didn't look good the way his knee buckled. Hopefully its not the same knee he's had surgery on in the past

Then I suppose the silver lining is there’s only 8 games left before we are out of our misery.
- smellmyfinger

Sorry we are in perpetual misery, there is no escape, there is no end.

I hope Erika spends her whole career with the Devils.
- Leniwm1

She’s delightful

We're so bad i think Roger even gave up on us.

Hughes and Boqvist dont need to be protected.

The Devils will likely protect:
Forwards: Nico, Bratt, Zacha, Wood, Sharangovich, Kuokkanen, and one of McLeod/Johnsson
Defense: Subban, Siegenthaler, Sevo
Goalie: Blackwood

That'll leave Merkley, one of McLeod/Johnsson, Bastian, Butcher, and Comrie exposed.
- vlongo4419

I thought if the first 2 years of the ELC's were used, they became exposed? Are players protected for the duration of their 3 year ELC's?

I think Johnsson may be left exposed. His numbers were bad, and his contract may not be too appealing. I'd hope we leave Subban unprotected. Nobody will take him and his 9M, not even for a season. If he ever did get taken, we could easily replace that cap hit with a 1-2 year contract dump or two. Unlike 95% of this league, the Devs have plenty of space and need to find a way to use it to their advantage.

So lose for Hughes 2?

Then I suppose the silver lining is there’s only 8 games left before we are out of our misery.
- smellmyfinger

Just need Anaheim and Buff to finish strong. Devs will do no better than 2-4-2 to close out the season.

I thought if the first 2 years of the ELC's were used, they became exposed? Are players protected for the duration of their 3 year ELC's?

I think Johnsson may be left exposed. His numbers were bad, and his contract may not be too appealing. I'd hope we leave Subban unprotected. Nobody will take him and his 9M, not even for a season. If he ever did get taken, we could easily replace that cap hit with a 1-2 year contract dump or two. Unlike 95% of this league, the Devs have plenty of space and need to find a way to use it to their advantage.
- bikeguy99

It doesn't really have to do with ELCs, per se. In order for a player to be eligible to be taken by Seattle they need to have more than 2 NA pro seasons completed by the end of this season. This is the 2nd season for both Hughes and Boqvist, so they're exempt

Subban won't be left unprotected. The team clearly thinks highly of him and his presence in the locker room, where they clearly need vets. They will protect him and likely try to bring him back on a cheaper contract after next season. They won't even risk losing him. As for Johnsson, if he isn't protected then Seattle will take him 100%, because his analytics are actually good. And Seattle will be very heavily influenced by analytics. It'll come down to Butcher and either Johnsson/McLeod. Thats who we will lose

Sorry we are in perpetual misery, there is no escape, there is no end.
- shvingter88

DOOMED

DOOMED
- smellmyfinger

I use to laugh at the 'DOOMED' crap but I'm starting to believe it.

It doesn't really have to do with ELCs, per se. In order for a player to be eligible to be taken by Seattle they need to have more than 2 NA pro seasons completed by the end of this season. This is the 2nd season for both Hughes and Boqvist, so they're exempt

Subban won't be left unprotected. The team clearly thinks highly of him and his presence in the locker room, where they clearly need vets. They will protect him and likely try to bring him back on a cheaper contract after next season. They won't even risk losing him. As for Johnsson, if he isn't protected then Seattle will take him 100%, because his analytics are actually good. And Seattle will be very heavily influenced by analytics. It'll come down to Butcher and either Johnsson/McLeod. Thats who we will lose
- vlongo4419

Interesting. I thought it was 2 or more seasons of NA, not more than 2. I misread, my bad. Happy to hear that tho! We won't be losing anyone of too much value, that is for sure.

I disagree about Subban tho. I 100% believe he will be left unprotected. The team isn't generating much cash flow, and having already paid him 18M as a Dev, his 12G, 25A, -37, and 105 PIMS doesn't scream "keep me". I believe his "leadership" is well represented with his large role, and our teams current position with this club. I think he is unprotected, but our disagreement on the matter is meaningless, as nobody would take him. He will be a Dev next season, and lucky to make north of 3M AAV when he becomes a UFA.

Glad Holtz is doing well in the AHL tho! Hope to see much more from him, hopefully as a Dev in the Fall.

Holtz 1 SOG -2

Graeme Clarke has to be the most impressive Bingo player this year, especially considering he would've been back in juniors if the OHL actually started up. He's looking extremely promising, hopefully he can keep it up! Another 2 assists tonight. After going pointless in his first 4 games, hes now up to 14 points in his last 18 games

Mercer with another goal and 2 assists tonight. Chicoutimi completes a pretty easy 3-0 sweep in round 1 of the playoffs. Mercer with 7 points(3g,4a) in the series

It doesn't really have to do with ELCs, per se. In order for a player to be eligible to be taken by Seattle they need to have more than 2 NA pro seasons completed by the end of this season. This is the 2nd season for both Hughes and Boqvist, so they're exempt

Subban won't be left unprotected. The team clearly thinks highly of him and his presence in the locker room, where they clearly need vets. They will protect him and likely try to bring him back on a cheaper contract after next season. They won't even risk losing him. As for Johnsson, if he isn't protected then Seattle will take him 100%, because his analytics are actually good. And Seattle will be very heavily influenced by analytics. It'll come down to Butcher and either Johnsson/McLeod. Thats who we will lose
- vlongo4419

Really don't want to lose McLeod. He's finally arrived as a young full-time NHLer and we're going to lose him. Kid is only 23 and could be our next John Madden.. who knows! Johnsson just does nothing for me. We blame that on his centers, but then blame the lack of points from center on the wingers.. and Johnsson is one of them.

Holtz 1 SOG -2
- dmarsden2988

regressing to the mean that is our abysmal organization lol

Really don't want to lose McLeod. He's finally arrived as a young full-time NHLer and we're going to lose him. Kid is only 23 and could be our next John Madden.. who knows! Johnsson just does nothing for me. We blame that on his centers, but then blame the lack of points from center on the wingers.. and Johnsson is one of them.
- MartysBetter88

Johnsson's problems have nothing to do with his centers. Hes just been extremely unlucky and shooting a career low shooting % by a good margin, which has been the problem for our centers. I don't really care whether we give up McLeod or Johnsson, but i'd be willing to bet Johnsson bounces back and regresses to the mean. Seattle takes him in a heartbeat if hes exposed, but im not sure if they take McLeod. They would probably take Butcher over McLeod, i would much rather lose Butcher over either forward. Either way, anybody we're going to lose in expansion is replaceable, so its whatever.

It would be nice if Roger wrote something new for us. Doesn't have to be fancy.

I'd settle for "Devils stink. Do you blame ownership, the GM, the Coaches or the players? Discuss"

Looks like Foote will draw back in with Johnsson being out. And Smith is a game-time decision tonight.

Looks like Foote will draw back in with Johnsson being out. And Smith is a game-time decision tonight.
- vlongo4419

you know.. you could easily run this blog, if Roger wanted out. This is where I come to check for any Devils updates and they usually come from you lol.

you know.. you could easily run this blog, if Roger wanted out. This is where I come to check for any Devils updates and they usually come from you lol.
- MartysBetter88

I havent even noticed its been 8 days without a new blog. Honestly i dont even know if we're gonna get another blog until the season ends. Maybe a season recap or a draft lottery blog or something. I dont blame him if hes completely checked out of the team with how things have gone the last month or so

Really don't want to lose McLeod. He's finally arrived as a young full-time NHLer and we're going to lose him. Kid is only 23 and could be our next John Madden.. who knows! Johnsson just does nothing for me. We blame that on his centers, but then blame the lack of points from center on the wingers.. and Johnsson is one of them.
- MartysBetter88

I agree. Mcleod and Bastian are both guys who have done excellent in very limited roles. Mcleod is a truck, running through guys, and putting up 8 goals while averaging just 13 minutes a night. The two guys lead our club in hits, and block every shot that they can throw themselves in front of.

I honestly don't know what the Devs fans see in Zacha. I see a big guy who makes only easy outlet passes, and his defensive stats have plummeted. 8 blocked shots all season, and he is still considered a defensive force? Dead last on this team. Perennial 24-32 points per season is un-inspirational. He is overpaid for what he generates, and plays far softer than his stature. I am turning my attention to veterans, and he is leads our forwards in gp, and has yet to do anything that make any real difference. Mcleod has been the better C this season defensively, and doesn't bring the soft hockey that Zacha does. It is time to be critical of our veterans, and guys playing the most TOI as we get continually pounded.

It would be nice if Roger wrote something new for us. Doesn't have to be fancy.

I'd settle for "Devils stink. Do you blame ownership, the GM, the Coaches or the players? Discuss"
- Queenie_5_hole

Mussas coverage is like the devil's D coverage

Non-existent

It's so nice today. I wish there wasn't a Devils game to go and ruin it.

EPRinkside has a nice article on Hughes that just went up today if anybody has a subscription to it: https://twitter.com/JFres...tatus/1387120128417009667

Some really good things. Talks a lot about how much his game has improved from last season and the major steps he took defensively. Pretty much all that is missing is the point production

The quote that stuck out most was, "if he can improve his production and offensive efficiency with his current level of defensive effectiveness, it is not an exaggeration to say that he will be on the game's best players."

I'm sure others feel the same way, and i've seen it thrown around in some of the discords and it seems to be a common thought among the analytic guys, but i think Jack will be the first Devil to break 100 points in a season. The future is incredibly bright with this young group and the prospects on the cusp of breaking in.