Reminds me of when we thought it could be a good idea to sign Jordan Eberle for Taylor Hall.
- Queenie_5_hole

I wanted no part of Eberle at his cap hit/years, i was one who was completely against it. As i would be with Dadonov if its more than 3 years. Im not giving him anything more than 4.5-5 mill for 2-3 years. Like i said, i prefer to avoid both him and Hoffman but i could see that reasoning for bringing Dad in on a short term deal. I would prefer to keep staying away from free agency and just continue working the trade market like Fitzy has, preferably for D. Florida is still shopping Weegar, so i'd hope Fitz is all over that

I wanted no part of Eberle at his cap hit/years, i was one who was completely against it. As i would be with Dadonov if its more than 3 years. Im not giving him anything more than 4.5-5 mill for 2-3 years. Like i said, i prefer to avoid both him and Hoffman but i could see that reasoning for bringing Dad in on a short term deal. I would prefer to keep staying away from free agency and just continue working the trade market like Fitzy has, preferably for D. Florida is still shopping Weegar, so i'd hope Fitz is all over that
- vlongo4419

I think it's great to take advantage of good trade opportunities because of other teams cap difficulties. I'm also not against picking up a free agent if the right deal is there. Right now we only have 9 forwards (not including RFA Bratt) and 5 defenders under contract. So there is room to add a few players.

I think it's great to take advantage of good trade opportunities because of other teams cap difficulties. I'm also not against picking up a free agent if the right deal is there. Right now we only have 9 forwards (not including RFA Bratt) and 5 defenders under contract. So there is room to add a few players.
- Queenie_5_hole

Agreed, im totally fine taking a shorter term deal with someone from free agency, i just dont wanna commit long term to anybody. And at the same time i wanna leave a spot or two open for younger guys like Merkley, Kuokkanen, Boqvist, Maltsev, Studenic, or even Foote up front to fight for and step up to earn in camp. I'd rather them get a shot than bring in bodies that just blocks them. Although im not opposed to all of them playing in Bingo, that team should be really fun and good this year

I'm not expecting real improvement point wise from Zacha but I could be wrong. Regardless, I agree we should keep him. Zajac is 35 and presumably in his last year as a Devil. Zacha is a good replacement as a 3rd or 4th line center. He's a legit and useful NHL player.
- Queenie_5_hole

Yep, as others have said, even if he doesn't become the offensive player he was drafted as ( I think most of us at least expected prime Zubrus production out of him), he is a legit NHL center and the perfect replacement for Zajac on the 3rd line when that time comes. I'd keep him. Trading him we would get pennies on the dollar and it's not like he can demand top dollar on his next contract.

NHL Network said Hoffman may be a good add for the devil's as he brings a scoring touch for Nico or Hughes

A 4 or 5 year deal at a good price would be ideal

Said the contenders may already have better wingers but may not score as much but he would bring what the devil's need
- dmarsden2988

It's a tough market for UFAs right now. If we sign Dadanov or Hoffman I'd prefer to see if they would take a two year deal. Either one would do well to take some pressure off the younger players, just not sure I want to be tied to either for 5ish years when we do have some talent in the pipeline.

It's a tough market for UFAs right now. If we sign Dadanov or Hoffman I'd prefer to see if they would take a two year deal. Either one would do well to take some pressure off the younger players, just not sure I want to be tied to either for 5ish years when we do have some talent in the pipeline.
- smellmyfinger

Just have to convince the Taylor Hall is a genius for going short term!

I wanted no part of Eberle at his cap hit/years, i was one who was completely against it. As i would be with Dadonov if its more than 3 years. Im not giving him anything more than 4.5-5 mill for 2-3 years. Like i said, i prefer to avoid both him and Hoffman but i could see that reasoning for bringing Dad in on a short term deal. I would prefer to keep staying away from free agency and just continue working the trade market like Fitzy has, preferably for D. Florida is still shopping Weegar, so i'd hope Fitz is all over that
- vlongo4419

Absolutely. Eberle is not the player he once was. No thank you. My top wingers available are:
Dadanov
Hoffman
Athanasiou
Duclair

These players will all come with cap hits no higher than eberle, and we keep our draft picks. If we are taking on any risky contracts in a trade, it had better have picks/prospects included.

Keep Zacha one more year I say. I just have this gut feeling things are going to click with at last. He was drafted as a scoring forward, but has been used in ways he isn't suited for. He is slowly but sure becoming a Swiss Army Knife player. Lets see what Lindy does with him, if he isn't working out during the season then trade him to a team that can use him during a playoff push.
- JonnyGar

We absolutely should keep him considering zajac is likely gone after this season.

Currently, the biggest need the Devils have is a top 4 LD to pair with Subban or with Severson. How about an offer sheet for the Lightning's Sergachev? The Lighting only has about 2.8M in salary cap with 5 more players to sign, including 3 RFAs. It may take 4.5-5M per year to get it done. Sergachev is only 22 years old. Thoughts?

Currently, the biggest need the Devils have is a top 4 LD to pair with Subban or with Severson. How about an offer sheet for the Lightning's Sergachev? The Lighting only has about 2.8M in salary cap with 5 more players to sign, including 3 RFAs. It may take 4.5-5M per year to get it done. Sergachev is only 22 years old. Thoughts?
- LenapeDevil

Tampa matches that in a heartbeat. They match anything we give, since we cant offer in the 6.5-10.9M range, and its not worth going higher and giving up four 1sts. So we can only offer under 6.5M per year and they match instantly. Its not happening, they arent losing Sergachev.

Currently, the biggest need the Devils have is a top 4 LD to pair with Subban or with Severson. How about an offer sheet for the Lightning's Sergachev? The Lighting only has about 2.8M in salary cap with 5 more players to sign, including 3 RFAs. It may take 4.5-5M per year to get it done. Sergachev is only 22 years old. Thoughts?
- LenapeDevil

When your team is bad you shouldn't be signing offer sheets because you're going to give them high draft picks back as comp.

Also, nobody does offer sheets because the comp you send back is way too high compared to the player you're signing. It's just not going to happen.

Dadanov
Hoffman
Athanasiou
Duclair

- bikeguy99

I feel like one of these guys would be a good add. Duclair and Athanasiou are a good fit age wise (25 and26) while Hoff and Dad are older. But even around 30 and 31, I don't think it's bad to have some veteran leadership from guys who can produce.

When your team is bad you shouldn't be signing offer sheets because you're going to give them high draft picks back as comp.

Also, nobody does offer sheets because the comp you send back is way too high compared to the player you're signing. It's just not going to happen.
- Pomegrant

Totally agree. The best approach is to cut a mutually beneficial deal helping with their cap space issue while getting us assets.

Maybe take Tyler Johnson, Blake Coleman and the 7th round pick we lost for Louis Domingue for Nate Schnarr.

Holtz with another goal today

Dadonov to the Sens 3years 15mill

Dadonov to the Sens 3years 15mill
- dmarsden2988

Very reasonable contract.

Very reasonable contract.
- Pomegrant

Yes, even more so when you look at the structure. No signing bonus. $3.5; 5; 6.5 per year, back-ended so they kept the hit reasonable but when they trade him eventually there will be less cash out the door for them.

Yes, even more so when you look at the structure. No signing bonus. $3.5; 5; 6.5 per year, back-ended so they kept the hit reasonable but when they trade him eventually there will be less cash out the door for them.
- redmonsters

I'm thinking Melynk is putting money into the team to make them look attractive then selling in 2-3 years when the economy picks up again.

Very reasonable contract.
- Pomegrant

Very disappointing we didn't beat out that offer. I find it hard to believe that he preferred to live in Ottawa, or thought of them as a contender. They might become one, but not in his 3 years there.

Come on Fitz, Schmidt and Dadanov would have brought this team into relevancy, and brought some insurance on our RW while we attempt to extend Palms. Dadanov has paced for 30 goals, and 40 assists per 82 game season since entering the league. 3 years at just 5M AAV is beyond a bargain. There remains Hoffman/Duclair/Athanasiou, so hopefully we add some proven scoring. Fitz needs to justify buying Schneids out by spending some of the remaining 12.5M Cap space (assuming Bratt/Blackwood combine for 6M AAV).

I'm thinking Melynk is putting money into the team to make them look attractive then selling in 2-3 years when the economy picks up again.
- Pomegrant

Possible. But ultimately he is trying to shed players with real paychecks, and take on guys with Cap AAV's higher then their actual pay. Gudbranson is making 3M, 1M under his cap hit. Anisimov has a 4.55M cap hit, they traded for him because his pay is only 3M this year. Ryan's buyout counts against their cap, only now he is paying him just 60% of the cash remaining. Sure, buy out the Masterton trophy winner who is still an NHL level player, and replace him with the wife beater. Ultimately he is going to end up paying 45M for a team that appears to be spending 61M.

I was shocked when Melnyk actually opened up the wallet and overpaid for Murray.

Very disappointing we didn't beat out that offer. I find it hard to believe that he preferred to live in Ottawa, or thought of them as a contender. They might become one, but not in his 3 years there.

Come on Fitz, Schmidt and Dadanov would have brought this team into relevancy, and brought some insurance on our RW while we attempt to extend Palms. Dadanov has paced for 30 goals, and 40 assists per 82 game season since entering the league. 3 years at just 5M AAV is beyond a bargain. There remains Hoffman/Duclair/Athanasiou, so hopefully we add some proven scoring. Fitz needs to justify buying Schneids out by spending some of the remaining 12.5M Cap space (assuming Bratt/Blackwood combine for 6M AAV).
- bikeguy99

Schmidt had a modified no trade clause, so theres nothing Fitz could've done if we were on that, and its pretty likely we were if we're being honest. Fitz has a plan laid out, and that plan doesnt include bringing in a 31 year old forward on a mult-year deal. He's been very clear about what he's looking for and that he was staying out of the big market for F/D. Hard pass on Hoffman, i want no part of him on this team. AA and Duclair would be fine im not hard pressed on adding them. Fitz has had a very solid offseason and i hope he sticks to his plan, look for trades from cap strapped teams(preferably for a D) and avoid free agency. There's zero reason to spend to the cap.


He needs to justify buying out Schneider? It seems pretty clear to me. How about Schneider has been completely washed and shown he cant be a competent backup for the last 2 seasons? And with the upcoming condensed schedule we needed somebody who can actually play half of the games and give us quality starts. Its really not that difficult to understand. Lets be real, Cory should've been bought out last year

I'm not defending Schneider's play, but he definitely shouldn't have been bought out last year and is questionable to buy out this year because it doubles the length of the cap hit penalty. Having this 2mil penalty doesn't matter in the short term but might have implications 3-4 years from now when the team is trying to turn the corner and start contending.

I'm not defending Schneider's play, but he definitely shouldn't have been bought out last year and is questionable to buy out this year because it doubles the length of the cap hit penalty. Having this 2mil penalty doesn't matter in the short term but might have implications 3-4 years from now when the team is trying to turn the corner and start contending.
- Pomegrant

Its not going to have any implications on this team at all. The only way it will affect us is if we get dumb in free agency and hand out contracts for literally no reason, and spend to the cap for the next 2 or so years when this team is still clearly not ready to compete.

Fitz with a good quote from an athletic article yesterday: "You have the three moves that we made. Two came through trades and one was a free-agent signing. I do think there will be more. I don’t want to just fill spots and then have good NHL players come our way that we don’t have the room for. So I think patience is important.”

For everyone complaining about not signing players. I'm glad this is his approach, as its the right thing to do and this is how it should be with the situation this team is in. Stay out of free agency and just try to capitalize on teams with cap issues.

I’m fine adding Hoffman, AA or Duclair (random order) but if Fritz wants to go a different direction that’s fine. I just will be disappointed if we don’t do more. The team has been bad and we traded good players for picks. Our adds have been helpful but they it’s unrealistic to think we are going to be decent.