It doesn't mean Severson and Graves are gone for sure. We can re-sign everybody next offseason no problem but this definitely impacts our flexibility and ability to get a true game changing winger without moving some money out. We can go completely to the cap ceiling this season and still have slightly over 31M in cap next offseason, which is plenty to re-sign everybody if Fitz chooses to do so.

2 years too long on this deal thoug for sure, but the hope/saving grace is the cap actually significantly increasing in 3 years like its rumored to which would definitely mitigate the final 2 years of this deal.(if the cap doesnt increase like everybody in expecting then this is going to be a big problem.) It's a good addition for the next 2 or 3 years though.
- vlongo4419

I guess the big thing was the escrow problem and this season they're going to pay it off finally, or something. So we should expect the cap to increase just unsure what it's realistically going to move each season. The new TV deal definitely helps a lot too.

The thing I don't like is that it basically locks us into the players we have now as the group that we're going to try to win a championship with. They're banking a lot on individual player growth from the young guys to pay off.

I guess the big thing was the escrow problem and this season they're going to pay it off finally, or something. So we should expect the cap to increase just unsure what it's realistically going to move each season. The new TV deal definitely helps a lot too.

The thing I don't like is that it basically locks us into the players we have now as the group that we're going to try to win a championship with. They're banking a lot on individual player growth from the young guys to pay off.
- Pomegrant

Yeah the expectation is a ~1M increase each season for the next 2 seasons(like this year) then theres a ton of rumors/talk that in 3 years we could see the cap ceiling jump up by up to 8-10M and be well into the 90s. People are expecting a big time jump.

It can't be better than the year we got Mike Camilleri and Ryan Clowe.
- Pomegrant

Cammi was pretty ok

Don’t dare disrespect the Michael Ryder/Damien Brunner off-season.
- smellmyfinger

Omg barf people were actually excited about both

Omg barf people were actually excited about both
- shvingter88

Brian Rolston FA signing in 2008

At the time, there was reason to be opptumistic over Ryder, Brunner and Cammalleri coming to NJ when they did. Clowe was the most boneheaded moves Lou made here. Hands down the worst FA signing imo

Quick points from Fitz' presser:

-Feels like he's checked a lot of boxes over the last few weeks---goaltending, leadership, players that play a certain way, versatility. Mentioned he wants us to be a more physical team.

-Confirms we were in on Gaudreau but JG chose to go elsewhere. Felt that there was a point on Wednesday where he though NJ was going to be JG's destination. Said he didnt get any explanation from the Gaudreau camp, just a personal decision.

-Confirms Brunette will run the PP. Spoke to Bruno before he even left the Panthers just to see how he was doing. Ruff really wanted him, and Brunette says he wants to learn from Ruff.

-Said the team was always targeting Palat from the get-go, no matter what happened with Gaudreau(Seravalli and Friedman said this as well, they were surprised it wasnt one of the first deals done at 12:01 on wednesday). Called him the closest thing to a "player-coach."

-Says the young players on the team have already reached out to him to say theyre super excited for what the team has done the last few days.

-Says he truly believes in Zacha but sometimes change has to be made, sometimes the runway runs out.

-Mentioned that bringing in Haula will allow Mercer to shift to the wing and play on one of the top 2 lines.

-Hes still working the phones for things, continuing to try to add.

-Mentioned hes still looking at the free agent D market, and didnt close the door on PK Subban coming back.

-Thinks this team is really ready to take the next step.

-Said Blackwood is fully healed and is already training for the upcoming season.

-No update on Bratt, reiterates he wants him back and long-term.

I think Fitzy is doing everything fans can realistically expect anyone to achieve as our GM. You can't force players to sign with you and hearing that about JG's camp makes me glad we didn't bring him in.

The nature of free agency is overpaying. It sucks but there's no way around it and Palat's contract isn't that bad. We already have all our core pieces locked up long term. Palat's deal is not going to handicap us so it doesn't make sense to complain about it.

We still have a ton of cap space over the course of Palat's deal and one of the highest rated farm systems in the league. Fitzy will continue to add and even if we don't make the playoffs this year the future is BRIGHT af for the Devils.

Are we good yet

Brian Rolston FA signing in 2008

- Crushers68

That high ankle sprain really did a number on him

Are we good yet
- dmarsden2988

Nope

I see the Brunette hiring as the in-house option when the Devils finally fire Ruff, Brunette could take over the team.

Are we DOOMED yet
- dmarsden2988

Fixed it for you 👍

I see the Brunette hiring as the in-house option when the Devils finally fire Ruff, Brunette could take over the team.
- Dropthepucknotgloves

Totes

Fixed it for you 👍
- Crushers68

Always

That high ankle sprain really did a number on him
- shvingter88

who could forget. Crazy how he fell off a cliff after that. I was iffy on that signing from the start.. having let Gio go and then signing Rolston for about the same price. His calling card was his big shot, but he was hampered by that injury, played smaller than Gionta, and our lives would've been better had we just kept Gio. Was nice getting a former Devil back from the golden years, but sucked losing Gionta.

The Devils have traded Ty Smith and a 2023 3rd to Pittsburgh for John Marino

The Devils have traded Ty Smith and a 2023 3rd to Pittsburgh for John Marino
- vlongo4419

I like this trade. Marino is probably overpaid some but really solid defender which is something we needed.

I like this trade. Marino is probably overpaid some but really solid defender which is something we needed.
- Pomegrant

Agreed, I like it. Good defensively and on the PK, quite a good skater and makes a good first pass on breakouts. Keeps it simple. Great scheme fit for how we play. Sucks to move on from Smith because I believe he can bounce back, but with Hughes and Nemec on the verge of breaking into the league in a year or so, they're just better than Smith at what Smith is supposed to be good at, so it made him expendable. And if he never actually bounces back then this is a steal for us.

Wonder what is next for Severson now though? Dougie and Marino locked up on the right side with Nemec coming soon. Do we use Sevo as a "self-rental" and see where we're at by the deadline, or do we attempt to move him now for a forward?

Agreed, I like it. Good defensively and on the PK, quite a good skater and makes a good first pass on breakouts. Keeps it simple. Sucks to move on from Smith because I believe he can bounce back, but with Hughes and Nemec on the verge of breaking into the league in a year or so, they're just better than Smith at what Smith is supposed to be good at, so it made him expendable. And if he never actually bounces back then this is a steal for us.
- vlongo4419

Pittsburgh needs to open up cap space and they had a log jam of overpaid defensemen, so makes sense for them to get a lottery ticket in Ty Smith. I'm just not too sure he'll ever become something especially after his disastrous last season. There's a lot of fundamental issues in his game.

We're really strong on the right side defense now for this next season, which I really like. However, doesn't bode well for Severson being reupped with the years left on Marino's contract. I wonder if Fitz is looking to make a play for a big winger with Severson being the principle part of the trade.

Not sure I like that trade

Hopefully won't backfire

Not sure I like that trade

Hopefully won't backfire
- dmarsden2988

As in I think if ty smith does bounce back we may have given up on him too early

The Devils have traded Ty Smith and a 2023 3rd to Pittsburgh for John Marino
- vlongo4419

Credit to Fitz. Great move. 25 year old with 5 years left, starts most shifts in the D zone.

Ty was starting to remind me of Butcher with the early regression. Marino is a solid NHLer at least.

https://twitter.com/jfres...&t=nBv3fVK7tTHPGeMrdbx6kA

Pittsburgh needs to open up cap space and they had a log jam of overpaid defensemen, so makes sense for them to get a lottery ticket in Ty Smith. I'm just not too sure he'll ever become something especially after his disastrous last season. There's a lot of fundamental issues in his game.

We're really strong on the right side defense now for this next season, which I really like. However, doesn't bode well for Severson being reupped with the years left on Marino's contract. I wonder if Fitz is looking to make a play for a big winger with Severson being the principle part of the trade.
- Pomegrant

With Siegenthaler making huge strides and Hughes on the way you can probably say the same thing about Graves days with the team being numbered.

It would've been one thing if Ty was poop defensively but showed some great offensive upside. He was literally useless at everything. With young talent they usually show you something to keep giving them chances and he was just given playing time all season.