Todd Cordell: Three experiments the New Jersey Devils should test during preseason

Experiment 1 - I totally agree.

Butcher - Subban
Vatanen - Severson
Greene - Smith (veteran to teach the youngster)
Mueller - Carrick

Experiment 2
I agree to start season but would be interested in seeing

Hall - Hughes - Bratt
Gusev - Hischier - Palmeri

I like your lines but think Hischier showed he can play without Hall and run own line.

Experiment 3 I'll go with your top six to start season

Hall - Hischier - Bratt
Gusev - Hughes - Palmeri
Coleman - Zajac - Boqvist
Wood - Zacha - Simmonds

Simmonds would still get plenty of PP time but is not as effective 5on 5 as he used to be.

I think Gusev Hughes palms is pretty much a lock

I think Gusev Hughes palms is pretty much a lock
- shvingter88

I hope so!

I say we go EA Sports NHL style:

Hall-Hischier-Palms
Hall-Hughes-Bratt
Hall-Hischier-Gusev
Hall-Hughes-Boqvist

Hynes shakes up the lines whenever things go bad so I'm sure we'll see plenty of combinations. He also double shifts Taylor Hall, so I'm sure we'll see him with both Hischier and Hughes at some point.

All skill works exceptionally well - ask the Tampa Bay Lightning.

But this line up isn't all skill - Simmonds, Hayton, Zacha, and Palmieri are players who aren't going to get shoved for free.

I just wish the D was a bit more meaty.

VERY INTERESTING AND COULD WORK IN SHEROS FAVORS:

"There is a quirk in the NHL’s salary cap that when an RFA signs after the regular season has begun, the cap hit for the first year of their deal is higher than the remaining years of the deal."

"Nylander withheld services until the Dec. 1 deadline for RFAs to sign. He inked a six-year, $45 million deal, which in a normal circumstance would carry a $7.5 million salary cap hit per year.

Since Nylander signed 60 days into the season, his salary cap hit for last year was $10.277 million, while the remaining five years were at a lesser charge of $6.962 million."


the article: https://www.tsn.ca/why-ev...aine-and-connor-1.1363841

VERY INTERESTING AND COULD WORK IN SHEROS FAVORS:

"There is a quirk in the NHL’s salary cap that when an RFA signs after the regular season has begun, the cap hit for the first year of their deal is higher than the remaining years of the deal."

"Nylander withheld services until the Dec. 1 deadline for RFAs to sign. He inked a six-year, $45 million deal, which in a normal circumstance would carry a $7.5 million salary cap hit per year.

Since Nylander signed 60 days into the season, his salary cap hit for last year was $10.277 million, while the remaining five years were at a lesser charge of $6.962 million."
- Leniwm1

... how? By forcing someone to hold out or by acquiring Nylander?

... how? By forcing someone to hold out or by acquiring Nylander?
- archromat

Say Jets resign Connor and Laine sometime after season starts, they will probably have to part with a roster player to make up for that larger cap hit. So Im saying not to trade for the RFA, but a current roster player.

Say Jets resign Connor and Laine sometime after season starts, they will probably have to part with a roster player to make up for that larger cap hit. So Im saying not to trade for the RFA, but a current roster player.
- Leniwm1

In theory, yes but I don't think the Jets have anything we would want or need. They would look at trading Kulikov or Perreault and if they couldn't they would bury Kulikov's contract in the minors.

Hall - Hischier - Bratt
Gusev - Hughes - Palmieri
Boqvist (GOAT) - Zajac - Simmonds
Wood - Zacha - Coleman

I'm sure Todd ment to put the GOAT part with Zajac not Boqvist right ?

Experiment #4: Gusev in net.

Tell him the NHL style is different than the KHL. Worst case scenario, he's Schneider from last year

Experiment #4: Gusev in net.

Tell him the NHL style is different than the KHL. Worst case scenario, he's Schneider from last year
- ChonDerry

I think Zacha would be a better fit as the #3G. Would help his development.

I think Zacha would be a better fit as the #3G. Would help his development.
- smellmyfinger

The real question is, would Zacha be better in net than Barzal would be. I'm thinking probably not and we should have drafted Barzal to play goalie.

All skill works exceptionally well - ask the Tampa Bay Lightning.

But this line up isn't all skill - Simmonds, Hayton, Zacha, and Palmieri are players who aren't going to get shoved for free.

I just wish the D was a bit more meaty.
- archromat

Nothing like meaty d

If Hughes' game translates to the NHL sooner than later, I keep thinking of how strong of an offensive zone entry trio Hall-Hughes-Gusev would be. They are all so strong on controlled entries I think they would slice through like butter.

Hall-Hughes-Gusev
Bratt-Hischier-Palms
Boqvist-Zacha-Coleman
Wood-Zajac-Simmonds
Rooney

This could be a later in the season possibility. From what I have seen most people expect/predict Nico sliding to #2 C if Hughes reaches anywhere near his percieved ceiling. I could be wrong. This also plugs Zacha in at #3 C which at 22 if he has a similar skillset to Zajac, is younger and a little bigger, and gives him better linemates to work with, which I also think would benefit him more than it would Zajac. Zajac is what he is at this point. There is no need to inspire growth with him. That and I just dont see Boqvist being a 4th liner (could even replace Bratt on LW2 if Bratt is injured or not performing as hoped).

This would basically be a pair of 1st lines and a pair of 3rd lines. Not bad.

Any way you put this team's lineup together it looke good (on paper anyway). Looks like it could finally be the "fast, attacking, and supportive" group they spoke about for so long.

It will be interesting to see how everyone plays and who they get paired with. Camp starts tomorrow. Super (frank)ing pumped.

Nothing like meaty d
- shvingter88

The real question is, would Zacha be better in net than Barzal would be. I'm thinking probably not and we should have drafted Barzal to play goalie.
- Pomegrant

Zacha probably has better size and reach as a goalie than Barzal though.

I think Gusev Hughes palms is pretty much a lock
- shvingter88

Maybe a bold prodetiction but I think Gusev ends up as the RW with hall. He's a natural righty and said he'd be open to switching sides in an interview after he signed. Also gives a similar dynamic to Kane-Panarin.

If Hughes' game translates to the NHL sooner than later, I keep thinking of how strong of an offensive zone entry trio Hall-Hughes-Gusev would be. They are all so strong on controlled entries I think they would slice through like butter.

Hall-Hughes-Gusev
Bratt-Hischier-Palms
Boqvist-Zacha-Coleman
Wood-Zajac-Simmonds
Rooney

This could be a later in the season possibility. From what I have seen most people expect/predict Nico sliding to #2 C if Hughes reaches anywhere near his percieved ceiling. I could be wrong. This also plugs Zacha in at #3 C which at 22 if he has a similar skillset to Zajac, is younger and a little bigger, and gives him better linemates to work with, which I also think would benefit him more than it would Zajac. Zajac is what he is at this point. There is no need to inspire growth with him. That and I just dont see Boqvist being a 4th liner (could even replace Bratt on LW2 if Bratt is injured or not performing as hoped).

This would basically be a pair of 1st lines and a pair of 3rd lines. Not bad.

Any way you put this team's lineup together it looke good (on paper anyway). Looks like it could finally be the "fast, attacking, and supportive" group they spoke about for so long.

It will be interesting to see how everyone plays and who they get paired with. Camp starts tomorrow. Super (frank)ing pumped.
- TRDevil

Zajac is the better player and we're playing to win, he'll definitely at least start as the 3c. And its not like Zacha will be playing with Bobby Farnham and and Kurtis Gabriel on his line, he'll play with 2 good players regardless.

Few teams would be able to match that forward group in the preseason or regular season? I dunno you have 3 guys that have never played a game there. I'm excited for New Jersey but they maybe other the rags themselves we have the worst forward group in the metro. They will get better and could prove me wrong theres alot of question Marks and storylines of course.

Training camp!!

Training camp!!
- dmarsden2988

Yeesh....Zajac and Simmonds on same line?...Better get Stevens and Niedermayer for our D pairing for that line!