See i get what you are saying i just think ray contradicted himself a little. Paragraph three is about building a winning culture but then we dont even sign any one to even fight for rosters spots at this point they will be handed out with little comoetition ( other then between other non nhl players ) how does that build a winner or a winning tradition. So you throw away a few assets to try and make the play offs to build that winning tradition thays fine but dont let everyone leave and bring in no one.
- Shampoo

He wanted to sign Maroon and reports are he was in on de Haan and JVR so he tried to bring in guys, at a certain point the player needs to decide to sign you can't force them to.

He wanted to sign Maroon and reports are he was in on de Haan and JVR so he tried to bring in guys, at a certain point the player needs to decide to sign you can't force them to.
- MannySilvers

It's ironic that last year Butcher picked NJ and MoJo seemed very happy to be traded here. We didn't seem like a bad destination besides the low expectations going into last season.

Now we had some success, made the playoffs, have the league MVP with a #1 overall pick in Nico and we've been kinda shut out this off season.

It's ironic that last year Butcher picked NJ and MoJo seemed very happy to be traded here. We didn't seem like a bad destination besides the low expectations going into last season.

Now we had some success, made the playoffs, have the league MVP with a #1 overall pick in Nico and we've been kinda shut out this off season.
- Queenie_5_hole

I think it's overthinking to say that players potentially "don't want to play here" based on this offseason. Maroon went home to be near his son. JVR went back to his first team. If players didn't want to play in NJ they wouldn't even have a conversation with the team. It's not like the Devils swung and missed on 10 free agents this summer.

I think it's overthinking to say that players potentially "don't want to play here" based on this offseason. Maroon went home to be near his son. JVR went back to his first team. If players didn't want to play in NJ they wouldn't even have a conversation with the team. It's not like the Devils swung and missed on 10 free agents this summer.
- MannySilvers

Yeah, they tried to sign ever desirable free agent that was available. All 4 of them.

I like this. Even if shore prince or whoever suck they are going to be cheap and provide competition for younger players. We have cap space as an asset but are the owners preventing us from spending ?
- Shampoo

For sure, if not that route, hopefully Shero is discussing a trade with the Jets. With all the cash they are about to shell out, i am sure they wouldn't mind pairing a bad contract like Kulikov's 2 years at 4.3M per, with a proven player like Perrault, if not a package that include young talent such as Petan or Niku. That team is stacked, full of young talent, and about to be at the ceiling. All the above names would help this team today, and going forward.
As for owners preventing us from spending. Yes absolutely, but due to the fact that guys like Kane, JVR, Bozak were all way overpaid in my opinion. Shero doesn't hit the panic button, and has been waiting out free agency until he can capitalize with a trade-robbery, as he does every off season (MOJO, Hall). Now teams are capping out and need cap relief, or aid in a 3-way trade, and we will be that team. I would have liked Carlson/De Haan/ still hopefull on Dumba, but it just didnt happen.

Not including John Tavares, and of course Kovy, I think Paul Stasny or James Neal would have helped the club. The contracts are certainly very expensive but that's the gig in free agency. The cap space is ultimately useless.

I also think we could have found a better goalie then resigning Eddie Lack. I would have gladly taken Robin Lehner. With Cory coming off surgery we need a reliable tandem to start the year and Kink and Lack aren't very reassuring.

Even if we were just able to land Maroon I'd feel better but there is nothing to get excited about. I mean I don't like Grabner or Gibbons that much but they're players. We got dink.

I'm hopefully some guys in the farm can step in, but we don't have any great prospects. I'd like to see Q work his way back in.
- Queenie_5_hole

I agree, agree and agree

Yeah, they tried to sign ever desirable free agent that was available. All 4 of them.
- Pomegrant

It's just Shero has been so successful at getting things done that it is odd to see him not deliver.

It's just Shero has been so successful at getting things done that it is odd to see him not deliver.
- Queenie_5_hole

He's done well in drafting and trading so far but hasn't really signed anybody yet. Thing is, we've come off of a few weak free agency years. Maybe there is a problem but I don't see it right now. If he wiffs every single year and the kids don't develop, there is obviously a problem.

Lol yes that is why they are supposed to be worse can you try justifying us being good ? Two of our best players could see drops in their sophmore seasons and even they dont you cant cant be certain right now. You take all the things we are certain of and we did get worse lol like in what situation do you take things away and some how have more ? How many cups has addittion by subtraction won. You cant just plug players into situations they have never been in and say you put him there and that replaces this or that it just doesnt work there isnt enough theree to replace what went out.WHERE DO THE NUMBERS MAGICALLY COME FROM AND HOW THE HELL DO THEY SOME HOW GET BETTER THIS YEAR LOL.
- Shampoo

No Cup was ever won through free agency, and the Washington Capitals lost assets last year (Alzner and Mojo) and just won the cup.

How did Boston, who added pretty much nobody nor made trades last summer, have a 17 point improvement from their previous season? How did Colorado make the playoffs after trading away their second best center for pieces (though I really like Sam Girard) and futures?

Is severson available?

Is severson available?
- Santo_44

(frank) off! He’s mine.

Is severson available?
- Santo_44

Is Reilly?

lose for Hughes.

Long term the Devils might have signed last summer's best UFA in Butcher honestly.

Long term the Devils might have signed last summer's best UFA in Butcher honestly.
- MannySilvers

Butcher and Nico were some nice gifts from the hockey gods. Shero probably deserves some credit with both.