Todd Cordell: On the Chayka rumors and finalists for the Devils' GM job

I hope they can bring on Futa in some capacity.

Can I ask what about starting that business made chayka qualified for a GM role in the NHL?

The information behind analytics was always there, certainly anybody if they wanted to could have looked into tracking that information. It’s not like chayka was responsible for why players were good or bad, he more or less just shared the findings of his research.

Not saying he may not have been qualified for any hockey operations position (I believe every team operates with some sort of an analytics department), but what made an entrepreneur suitable for a GM position in the NHL?

Are you leaving us Todd? Will you be posting once/week? not at all?

TOMORROW we have hockey, preseason take 2. In 4 more days.. the games begin.

We get to watch the Rags beat up on the Hamilton-less Hurricanes, and Sheshterkin (however it's spelled) stop 40 shots/game.

We get to watch Chicago put up a fight, but lose in 4 games.

We get to see Florida upset the Islanders in 5 games.

We get to see Pittsburgh bring the world back to reality and beat the Habs in 4 or less.

We get to see Calgary and WPG really go at it in an epic 5 game battle, with Calgary coming out on top after losing the 1st game.

We'll get to watch Vancouver and Boeser handle the Wild in 4 games.

Toronto will finally win an elimination game and beat Columbus in 5.

Last but not least, I think Nashville beats AZ in OT of game 5.. with another OT game in the series. That defense HAS to be enough to protect Rinne/Saros, right? Kessel HAS to be out of shape, right? Hall HAS to lack chemistry or get hurt, right? The AZ goalies can't be THAT good.. right? Their Keller and Stepan have to be not all that good, right?

and these are my pre-pre-exhibition predictions.

TOMORROW we have hockey, preseason take 2. In 4 more days.. the games begin.

We get to watch the Rags beat up on the Hamilton-less Hurricanes, and Sheshterkin (however it's spelled) stop 40 shots/game.

We get to watch Chicago put up a fight, but lose in 4 games.

We get to see Florida upset the Islanders in 5 games.

We get to see Pittsburgh bring the world back to reality and beat the Habs in 4 or less.

We get to see Calgary and WPG really go at it in an epic 5 game battle, with Calgary coming out on top after losing the 1st game.

We'll get to watch Vancouver and Boeser handle the Wild in 4 games.

Toronto will finally win an elimination game and beat Columbus in 5.

Last but not least, I think Nashville beats AZ in OT of game 5.. with another OT game in the series. That defense HAS to be enough to protect Rinne/Saros, right? Kessel HAS to be out of shape, right? Hall HAS to lack chemistry or get hurt, right? The AZ goalies can't be THAT good.. right? Their Keller and Stepan have to be not all that good, right?

and these are my pre-pre-exhibition predictions.
- MartysBetter88

I would Tomorrow there is hockey, not we have hockey. Because our team gets to sit around with their Richards in their hand doing nothing.

Can't believe I have to route for the Rangers to win and the Coyotes to lose. And John Hynes is there to make it all even more sickening....

Will Sami Vats get to play and will the Devils get a draft pick from Carolina???


On a separate note, it wouldn't surprise me if the owners still brought in someone above Fitzy.

I would Tomorrow there is hockey, not we have hockey. Because our team gets to sit around with their Richards in their hand doing nothing.

Can't believe I have to route for the Rangers to win and the Coyotes to lose. And John Hynes is there to make it all even more sickening....

Will Sami Vats get to play and will the Devils get a draft pick from Carolina???


On a separate note, it wouldn't surprise me if the owners still brought in someone above Fitzy.
- Queenie_5_hole

why do we want the Rags to win again?

why do we want the Rags to win again?
- MartysBetter88

So they aren't in the first overall draft pick lottery.

why do we want the Rags to win again?
- MartysBetter88

So they dont have a chance at Laf

I assume you think their chances of winning Laf is greater than them winning 4 more best of 7 series after the play-in. you might be right. Winning the Cup would obviously be worse than drafting Laf. If they draft Laf they can still screw it up and not win during his time there. It's more unlikely they win the Cup than drafting him.. maybe. You just never know. They win the play-in and feel good about themselves and then have to then play potentially Boston, Tampa, Washington, Philly, Pittsburgh, NYI, Toronto.. I'm not sure how the matchups would shakeout. Could they win 3 best of 7s against those, and then a best of 7 against St. Louis or the Avs.. or even Vegas? They're just men. You never know! But you do know that securing Laf doesn't guarantee a Cup. And losing the play-in doesn't guarantee Laf. Winning the play-in doesn't guarantee a Cup. so.. dah

Thats a good point about vats. I see our 4th rd selection becomes a 3rd if he plays in 5 regular season games. I assume that the play-in round is considered regular season? And assuming they beat the Rags, and he plays in 70% of the games going forward we automatically get the 3rd regardless of regular season games played?

Regardless, Kuokkanen was a solid return for a rental D. Having him/Bahl/Foote/Merkley gives us some serious depth down in Bing, assuming they don't make the roster next season. I wouldn't mind one more Tendy prospect in our system to develop. I have little hope for our current G's in the system.

Thats a good point about vats. I see our 4th rd selection becomes a 3rd if he plays in 5 regular season games. I assume that the play-in round is considered regular season? And assuming they beat the Rags, and he plays in 70% of the games going forward we automatically get the 3rd regardless of regular season games played?

Regardless, Kuokkanen was a solid return for a rental D. Having him/Bahl/Foote/Merkley gives us some serious depth down in Bing, assuming they don't make the roster next season. I wouldn't mind one more Tendy prospect in our system to develop. I have little hope for our current G's in the system.
- bikeguy99

From what i've read we either get the 3rd if he plays 70% of their playoff games or we get no pick at all since he didnt play at all in the regular season. The play-in round doesnt count towards conditional picks. So as of right now we have no pick from them, but its also possible this pick goes to arbitration. And like you said, Kuokkanen alone is a good return for an injured D that likely wasnt going to be back next season

What a mess!!

Glad you’re in our division.

4 wins already in the bank in September.

What a mess!!

Glad you’re in our division.

4 wins already in the bank in September.
- bruceflyers

How many cups since Nixon was impeached again?
thats what I thought kid. simmer down.

come back when your team ever becomes relevant again..

How many cups since Nixon was impeached again?
thats what I thought kid. simmer down.

come back when your team ever becomes relevant again..
- StephaneRicher

eh.. they're more relevant than we are lol. I'd be surprised if they got to the Cup Final, let alone win, but yea.. we suck.

What a mess!!

Glad you’re in our division.

4 wins already in the bank in September.
- bruceflyers

Flyers LOL. You’re better off banking on Gritty being a pedophile.

eh.. they're more relevant than we are lol. I'd be surprised if they got to the Cup Final, let alone win, but yea.. we suck.
- MartysBetter88

At least I was alive to watch the team win a cup.

From what i've read we either get the 3rd if he plays 70% of their playoff games or we get no pick at all since he didnt play at all in the regular season. The play-in round doesnt count towards conditional picks. So as of right now we have no pick from them, but its also possible this pick goes to arbitration. And like you said, Kuokkanen alone is a good return for an injured D that likely wasnt going to be back next season
- vlongo4419

I’m not complaining about this but are you saying that based off the original terms of the deal or a subsequent decision by the league on dealing with the conditional pick.

Vat’s injury was unfortunate for us but realistically everyone seemed to think he was close to returning. He’s been utterly useless to Carolina so hopefully he an help them out.

I’m not complaining about this but are you saying that based off the original terms of the deal or a subsequent decision by the league on dealing with the conditional pick.

Vat’s injury was unfortunate for us but realistically everyone seemed to think he was close to returning. He’s been utterly useless to Carolina so hopefully he an help them out.
- Queenie_5_hole

EDIT: I misread what you were saying. I'm saying it based off both actually. The league said the regular season was officially concluded and that the play-in round dont count towards conditional picks. The arbitration part was a tweet from Seravalli saying that some of the non black and white conditional picks will likely go to arbitration, which i would think includes Flames/Oilers Lucic/Neal trade and maybe this one?(maybe we can try to argue the play-in round should count). I doubt it but yeah, im looking at it as we get a 3rd if the Canes get into the actual first round and Vats plays the required amount of games, and if that doesnt happen(whether they lose in the play-in or Vats just doesnt play enough) then we dont get a pick. Us getting a 4th cant happen, its either a 3rd or nothing.

Remember the conditions for the draft pick are as follows: If Vatanen plays five regular season games, the Devils get a fourth-round pick. If Vatanen plays 12 regular-season games OR 70% of the Hurricanes’ playoff games, it’s a third-round pick. If none of those conditions are met, the Devils won’t get a pick.


I agree though, i hope he gets to play. Really crowded blueline though but it seems like Hamilton is dealing with another injury so that could open the door for him to get in. And honestly, they should be playing him over Gardiner either way, that guy is horrible.

EDIT: I misread what you were saying. I'm saying it based off both actually. The league said the regular season was officially concluded and that the play-in round dont count towards conditional picks. The arbitration part was a tweet from Seravalli saying that some of the non black and white conditional picks will likely go to arbitration, which i would think includes Flames/Oilers Lucic/Neal trade and maybe this one?(maybe we can try to argue the play-in round should count). I doubt it but yeah, im looking at it as we get a 3rd if the Canes get into the actual first round and Vats plays the required amount of games, and if that doesnt happen(whether they lose in the play-in or Vats just doesnt play enough) then we dont get a pick. Us getting a 4th cant happen, its either a 3rd or nothing.

Remember the conditions for the draft pick are as follows: If Vatanen plays five regular season games, the Devils get a fourth-round pick. If Vatanen plays 12 regular-season games OR 70% of the Hurricanes’ playoff games, it’s a third-round pick. If none of those conditions are met, the Devils won’t get a pick.


I agree though, i hope he gets to play. Really crowded blueline though but it seems like Hamilton is dealing with another injury so that could open the door for him to get in. And honestly, they should be playing him over Gardiner either way, that guy is horrible.
- vlongo4419

Interesting. Can't wait to see how this plays out!

no one has any predictions on the play-in rounds?

no one has any predictions on the play-in rounds?
- MartysBetter88

I think it's been too long to make accurate predictions on what's happening. I have general feelings like the Oilers winning and Canadiens losing, but I truly can't imagine what will actually happen.

EDIT: I misread what you were saying. I'm saying it based off both actually. The league said the regular season was officially concluded and that the play-in round dont count towards conditional picks. The arbitration part was a tweet from Seravalli saying that some of the non black and white conditional picks will likely go to arbitration, which i would think includes Flames/Oilers Lucic/Neal trade and maybe this one?(maybe we can try to argue the play-in round should count). I doubt it but yeah, im looking at it as we get a 3rd if the Canes get into the actual first round and Vats plays the required amount of games, and if that doesnt happen(whether they lose in the play-in or Vats just doesnt play enough) then we dont get a pick. Us getting a 4th cant happen, its either a 3rd or nothing.

Remember the conditions for the draft pick are as follows: If Vatanen plays five regular season games, the Devils get a fourth-round pick. If Vatanen plays 12 regular-season games OR 70% of the Hurricanes’ playoff games, it’s a third-round pick. If none of those conditions are met, the Devils won’t get a pick.


I agree though, i hope he gets to play. Really crowded blueline though but it seems like Hamilton is dealing with another injury so that could open the door for him to get in. And honestly, they should be playing him over Gardiner either way, that guy is horrible.
- vlongo4419

If he plays 5 games in the play-in, would that not qualify for the 4th?

What a mess!!

Glad you’re in our division.

4 wins already in the bank in September.
- bruceflyers

With the Devils being at the bottom of the barrel the last few years the mighty flyers have managed to dominate them...the flyers hold the advantage by an incredible 3-4-0. True dominance over one of the worst teams in the league. Kudos to the mighty flyers! Maybe you should start planning the parade.

I think it's been too long to make accurate predictions on what's happening. I have general feelings like the Oilers winning and Canadiens losing, but I truly can't imagine what will actually happen.
- willschulme

That's the fun of it : )