Josh Biringer: Debates Regarding Hellebuyck / Free Agency: UFAs - Ryan Graves

Great write up!

NJ needs to send Graves walking. We don’t need him, he’s too expensive, and he’s taking up a spot that needs to go to Luke/Nemec/Bahl/Walsh. We have a logjam with more useful, younger, cheaper talent just waiting on the shelf. Goodbye Graves!

Graves is gone gone gone. Too expensive for playing on the 3rd pair and his foot speed was a major issue down the stretch and in the playoffs. There just isn't a spot for him on the left side with Siegs and Hughes locked in ahead of him, and Bahl/Smith as well rotating on the 3LD spot. The right side is obviously locked up with Dougie and Marino, and 3RD will likely be split between Nemec and a much cheaper vet D. It'd just be incredibly dumb and short-sighted to re-sign him.

Also, people gotta stop bringing up Walsh. Hes just not that good. He's never going to play for this team and the team has been honest with him about that. In a recent article with Ryan Novozinsky Devils AGM Dan MacKinnon said they were up front with Reilly and told him he probably just doesn't have a spot here. They think hes a PP specialist that could maybe run a PP2 at the NHL level, which we already have multiple guys who would run it over him. The team is expecting to lose him via trade or waivers at some point this year.

Josh, Josh, Josh. to say that your number 1 reason for NJ not trading for Hellebuyck is because he is "Not Much of an Upgrade" is like saying that Filet Mignon is not much of an upgrade over Hamburger. And "no" I'm not calling Schmid hamburger. I'm just saying it is interesting that for all the years NJ enjoyed a Hall of Fame goaltender in Martin Brodeur what would you of said if he had decided to walk away and he was possibly being traded to Winnipeg. Would you of said that Winnipeg shouldn't trade for Brodeur as he is "not Much of an upgrade" over Andrej Pavelic.

Josh, Josh, Josh. to say that your number 1 reason for NJ not trading for Hellebuyck is because he is "Not Much of an Upgrade" is like saying that Filet Mignon is not much of an upgrade over Hamburger. And "no" I'm not calling Schmid hamburger. I'm just saying it is interesting that for all the years NJ enjoyed a Hall of Fame goaltender in Martin Brodeur what would you of said if he had decided to walk away and he was possibly being traded to Winnipeg. Would you of said that Winnipeg shouldn't trade for Brodeur as he is "not Much of an upgrade" over Andrej Pavelic.
- tornado24

I have so many questions:

What kind of blend is the burger?

Is it a smash burger? A single? A double?

Is the Filet Mignon Prime? Choice?

Is the Filet Mignon being reverse seared? Sous Vide?

people gotta stop bringing up Walsh. Hes just not that good.
- vlongo4419

He’s been over a 1/2 pt/g player the last 2 years in Utica. No one implied he’s the greatest d-man to ever lace skates. I agree we should package him in a trade, but to act like he’ll be total garbage in the NHL seems silly.

He’s been over a 1/2 pt/g player the last 2 years in Utica. No one implied he’s the greatest d-man to ever lace skates. I agree we should package him in a trade, but to act like he’ll be total garbage in the NHL seems silly.
- jtylerm

He's 24 years old and gets all the PP time. He's played 1 NHL game. It's really not that impressive, at all. His 5v5 numbers this year were flat out worse than an 18 year old Nemec playing in North America for the first time. The team itself said they see him as a PP specialist who might be able to run a PP2 lol. Theyre willing to potentially lose him on waivers for nothing. They clearly don't think highly of him at all.

He's not even in consideration for a roster spot at all going forward with this team for me. Especially if it's not this year. Beyond this year Nemec will likely be full time, Casey will be closer, and Vilen might be pushing to be up here in another year or two. Plus we'll be adding more guys to the pipeline as we go. He's so far down the totem pole already, it's Utica or gone imo.

lmao

What kind of blend is the burger? 100% pork as it is the #1 meat of choice in Schmid's home Switzerland

Is it a smash burger? A single? A double? a single Smash kinda like how Helly had to play goal for the Jets. All good for a while them Bam the defense goes to sleep and he gets smashed with shots.

Is the Filet Mignon Prime? Choice? No real "choice" here as Helly is all #1 Prime

Is the Filet Mignon being reverse seared? Sous Vide? Kinda like the Smash as Helly would be cruisin along all steady and then things would flip and he would be getting charred.

Per Kevin Weekes, the Devils are closing in on a 3 year contract extension with Haula.

EH has his 3 year projection at 3.4M. Lets see what he comes in at, and if he took any kind of discount to stay.

lmao

What kind of blend is the burger? 100% pork as it is the #1 meat of choice in Schmid's home Switzerland

Is it a smash burger? A single? A double? a single Smash kinda like how Helly had to play goal for the Jets. All good for a while them Bam the defense goes to sleep and he gets smashed with shots.

Is the Filet Mignon Prime? Choice? No real "choice" here as Helly is all #1 Prime

Is the Filet Mignon being reverse seared? Sous Vide? Kinda like the Smash as Helly would be cruisin along all steady and then things would flip and he would be getting charred.
- tornado24

So you might say the Filet Mignon is over cooked.

Per Kevin Weekes, the Devils are closing in on a 3 year contract extension with Haula.

EH has his 3 year projection at 3.4M. Lets see what he comes in at, and if he took any kind of discount to stay.
- vlongo4419

3.13M is the rumored AAV, but not confirmed yet. Honestly its a tad higher than i was expecting, but still less than his projection.

So you might say the Filet Mignon is over cooked.
- Feds91Stammer

Maybe more like a little singed around the edges but still a nice medium rare at the core

Josh, Josh, Josh. to say that your number 1 reason for NJ not trading for Hellebuyck is because he is "Not Much of an Upgrade" is like saying that Filet Mignon is not much of an upgrade over Hamburger. And "no" I'm not calling Schmid hamburger. I'm just saying it is interesting that for all the years NJ enjoyed a Hall of Fame goaltender in Martin Brodeur what would you of said if he had decided to walk away and he was possibly being traded to Winnipeg. Would you of said that Winnipeg shouldn't trade for Brodeur as he is "not Much of an upgrade" over Andrej Pavelic.
- tornado24

Confirmed by the team. 3 years, 3.15M AAV for Haula.

He has a full no trade clause in the first 2 years, but that drops down to only a 6 team no trade in the 3rd year. Hes definitely getting moved after year 2 if his play starts to slip at all lol.

Confirmed by the team. 3 years, 3.15M AAV for Haula.

He has a full no trade clause in the first 2 years, but that drops down to only a 6 team no trade in the 3rd year. Hes definitely getting moved after year 2 if his play starts to slip at all lol.
- vlongo4419

Not a bad deal

Not a bad deal
- dmarsden2988

For sure, one of those "fair" deals. Pretty much right on the mark. I was hoping he'd take a little less and come in under 3, but im not complaining about it. Glad to have him back!

Two things...Graves looked great playing with Marino. When Severson turned over a puck it ended up in the net. When Graves turned over a puck, Marino was there to bail him out. Second thing... +/- doesn't mean squat. Someone will give Graves $5.5 or more and be disappointed.

Welcome back Haula!

Welcome back Haula!
- Crushers68

Overpaid

Overpaid
- shvingter88

“I’m a huge Erik Haula fan.“-JH

Pierre LeBrun had 2 bits on the Devils in his new piece on the athletic:

-Fitz is starting to take calls on Sharangovich.

-The Devils may be willing to acquire Hellebuyck as a rental, without an extension in place.

“I’m a huge Erik Haula fan.“-JH
- Theathletic is for libs

That’s fine but you don’t overpay for locker room guys

That’s fine but you don’t overpay for locker room guys
- shvingter88

Agreed thats why he got a fair deal and ive yet to see one writer imply its an overpay.

Agreed thats why he got a fair deal and ive yet to see one writer imply its an overpay.
- Theathletic is for libs

That because in todays nhl everyone is expected to be paid much more. Haula is a 2.5 player, sounds like he’s a good guy to have around but for what he did in the regular season he’s not worth that money. He’s 32 and it’s not like he has any more room for improvement.

That because in todays nhl everyone is expected to be paid much more. Haula is a 2.5 player, sounds like he’s a good guy to have around but for what he did in the regular season he’s not worth that money. He’s 32 and it’s not like he has any more room for improvement.
- shvingter88

Meh if you want to say 2 years was better ya id agree but the money is a non issue. Cap is only going up. For a third line center who can shift around the lineup and keep your star happy its a fair deal.