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Forums :: Blog World :: HockeyBuzz Hotstove: Most underrated player on the New Jersey Devils?
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ToddCordellVAN
Location: Barrie, ON
Joined: 09.04.2013

Jul 2 @ 11:03 AM ET
HockeyBuzz Hotstove: Most underrated player on the New Jersey Devils?
Queenie_5_hole
New Jersey Devils
Joined: 05.01.2015

Jul 2 @ 11:12 AM ET
I don't have a problem with anyone picking Bratt or Blackwood but I'd go with Nikita Gusev. Goose struggled out the gate and then adjusted to playing in the NHL. It was painful but overall a remarkably quick turn around. He put up 1 point less the Palmeri on the season for #2 on the team this year. We need to sign this guy bad.

That said, I'm not sure he qualifies for underrated but most everyone on NJ is because the team was so bad.
chilliard77
Location: NY
Joined: 08.23.2011

Jul 2 @ 12:23 PM ET
Nico
rmdevil313
Edmonton Oilers
Location: Your a (frank)ing fag and I hope you get crippled- Cranny, MN
Joined: 01.05.2009

Jul 2 @ 12:46 PM ET
I don't have a problem with anyone picking Bratt or Blackwood but I'd go with Nikita Gusev. Goose struggled out the gate and then adjusted to playing in the NHL. It was painful but overall a remarkably quick turn around. He put up 1 point less the Palmeri on the season for #2 on the team this year. We need to sign this guy bad.

That said, I'm not sure he qualifies for underrated but most everyone on NJ is because the team was so bad.

- Queenie_5_hole


I'd have to agree. Gusev and Blackwood are the only ones who fit the "underrated" label as they actually achieved higher than what was expected. Todd does make an interesting case for Bratt but I want to see a full season performance that shows he's more than just a middle six forward first.
CardiffGiant
New Jersey Devils
Joined: 04.05.2018

Jul 2 @ 1:08 PM ET
I hope the next coach tries the Zacha-Hischier-Bratt line. After that, role with Gusev-Hughes-Palmieri. Finally, have Zajac mentor Boqvist and Anderson. If we don't sign any FAs or make trades for next year let's look at:

Zacha-Hischier-Bratt
Gusev-Hughes-Palmieri
Boqvist-Zajac-Anderson
Merkley-Kuokkanen-(McLeod, Bastian, Maltsev, Seney)

Best case, this works. Worst case, trade Gusev to a contending team and get the team's best defensive prospect (we don't need another forward). We then get another Top-10 pick in the 2021 Draft.

For the 2021-22 season, this year's draft pick should be on the team and possibly Nolan Foote. We can even trade Zacha if a team needs a cheap 3rd line center. I think Kuokkanen (or really any prospect) can take Zacha's spot, continue with Zajac, or the possibility of drafting Lundell with the Phoenix draft pick.

Hoping for the best.
Queenie_5_hole
New Jersey Devils
Joined: 05.01.2015

Jul 2 @ 2:19 PM ET
I hope the next coach tries the Zacha-Hischier-Bratt line. After that, role with Gusev-Hughes-Palmieri. Finally, have Zajac mentor Boqvist and Anderson. If we don't sign any FAs or make trades for next year let's look at:

Zacha-Hischier-Bratt
Gusev-Hughes-Palmieri
Boqvist-Zajac-Anderson
Merkley-Kuokkanen-(McLeod, Bastian, Maltsev, Seney)

Best case, this works. Worst case, trade Gusev to a contending team and get the team's best defensive prospect (we don't need another forward). We then get another Top-10 pick in the 2021 Draft.

For the 2021-22 season, this year's draft pick should be on the team and possibly Nolan Foote. We can even trade Zacha if a team needs a cheap 3rd line center. I think Kuokkanen (or really any prospect) can take Zacha's spot, continue with Zajac, or the possibility of drafting Lundell with the Phoenix draft pick.

Hoping for the best.

- CardiffGiant


I thought Kuokkanen is a left wing, not a center.
Zacha's trade value is pretty low and he's a good 3C or 4C. Plus you have to assume Zajac is done after next year. He'll be 36 at that point. Just saying.

Also, I wouldn't assume Nolan Foote or this year's pick is NHL ready. Heard the same thing about Kevin Bahl and he's a year older.
Queenie_5_hole
New Jersey Devils
Joined: 05.01.2015

Jul 2 @ 2:41 PM ET
I'd have to agree. Gusev and Blackwood are the only ones who fit the "underrated" label as they actually achieved higher than what was expected. Todd does make an interesting case for Bratt but I want to see a full season performance that shows he's more than just a middle six forward first.
- rmdevil313


Whatever Bratt ends up as, he is one of the few nice surprises from our recent drat history. I'd be surprised if he's a top line winger but second line seems reasonable. As much as Todd thought being Zacha was a hinderance, having some physically stronger line mates seem like a good choice.
BINGO!
Carolina Hurricanes
Location: I'll always remember the last words my grandfather ever told me. He said, "A Truck!", SK
Joined: 09.21.2009

Jul 2 @ 2:51 PM ET
I thought Kuokkanen is a left wing, not a center.
Zacha's trade value is pretty low and he's a good 3C or 4C. Plus you have to assume Zajac is done after next year. He'll be 36 at that point. Just saying.

Also, I wouldn't assume Nolan Foote or this year's pick is NHL ready. Heard the same thing about Kevin Bahl and he's a year older.

- Queenie_5_hole



Kuokkanen played LW in Charlotte but was drafted as a C.
ChonDerry
Location: Bedlamton, AB
Joined: 04.06.2016

Jul 2 @ 2:58 PM ET
Kevin Todd
CardiffGiant
New Jersey Devils
Joined: 04.05.2018

Jul 2 @ 3:50 PM ET
I thought Kuokkanen is a left wing, not a center.


I believe he's listed as a C, LW like Zacha.
Queenie_5_hole
New Jersey Devils
Joined: 05.01.2015

Jul 2 @ 3:56 PM ET
Kuokkanen played LW in Charlotte but was drafted as a C.
- BINGO!


Thanks BINGO!!
Queenie_5_hole
New Jersey Devils
Joined: 05.01.2015

Jul 2 @ 3:56 PM ET
I believe he's listed as a C, LW like Zacha.
- CardiffGiant


Yeah, then (frank) Zacha.

Kidding.

But good to know.
Queenie_5_hole
New Jersey Devils
Joined: 05.01.2015

Jul 2 @ 4:39 PM ET
Kevin Todd
- ChonDerry


I saw him play many times at the Brendan Byrne Arena.

He was sort of an underappreciated player...
Jazzmaster30
New Jersey Devils
Joined: 09.25.2019

Jul 2 @ 9:23 PM ET
I hope the next coach tries the Zacha-Hischier-Bratt line. After that, role with Gusev-Hughes-Palmieri. Finally, have Zajac mentor Boqvist and Anderson. If we don't sign any FAs or make trades for next year let's look at:

Zacha-Hischier-Bratt
Gusev-Hughes-Palmieri
Boqvist-Zajac-Anderson
Merkley-Kuokkanen-(McLeod, Bastian, Maltsev, Seney)

Best case, this works. Worst case, trade Gusev to a contending team and get the team's best defensive prospect (we don't need another forward). We then get another Top-10 pick in the 2021 Draft.

For the 2021-22 season, this year's draft pick should be on the team and possibly Nolan Foote. We can even trade Zacha if a team needs a cheap 3rd line center. I think Kuokkanen (or really any prospect) can take Zacha's spot, continue with Zajac, or the possibility of drafting Lundell with the Phoenix draft pick.

Hoping for the best.

- CardiffGiant


I like this. Correct me if I am wrong, but I thought we tried the Zacha on the wing experiment.
I don’t remember if it was a good result or not.....
ChonDerry
Location: Bedlamton, AB
Joined: 04.06.2016

Jul 3 @ 6:28 PM ET
I saw him play many times at the Brendan Byrne Arena.

He was sort of an underappreciated player...

- Queenie_5_hole


I just wanted to throw out an old old NJ alum on that.
Funny enough, had a video pop up on the book of faces with the old Stephane Richer clip of him going thru the twine vs Philly. Was my hero growing up