Roger Mussa: Next Step

No way Calgary does that trade

You would give that much up? Wow.

Is this a blog or a random collection of thoughts? Where is Todd?

Also that trade offer is horrendous.

This is the only line up prediction that does not have bratt playing with Nico. Same writer that didn’t include Bratt in our core moving forward. Join Todd’s site if you want a real NJ blog. I waited two months for a devils post on here for nothing more than napkin notes taken during thanksgiving dinner.

The team should pass on Gaudreau and an FA forward. If they tank this season, so be it. They can be in the running to pick up one more defenseman in a draft stacked with D.

Wow. This is pathetic. I'll be off to Todd Cordells blog now. This is just pathetic.

I think we can ease up on Mussa. During the season he is more active and gives us a platform to discuss stuff and do the whole Devils fans community thing. Todd was trying to make a career out of this, which he very well may be doing. Kid is great. Not everyone has that kind of time and motivation, and that's okay. I appreciate Roger stepping up when we had the vacancy. If anyone feels they could do better, you were more than able to apply for the job when Todd was leaving.

Anyways..
I keep seeing FB posts about Sharangovich and never heard of him prior. Our 5th rd pick of 2018 from Belarus, currently 22yrs old playing in the K after playing in the Bing last year. 6’2″/205 lb centerman who apparently has found a scoring touch, with 12 goals and two assists for 14 points in 25 games so far. Hope he can bring that back here and continue developing.

MB88 - update, Sharangovich is up to 15g and 3 assists in 29 games. There was a recent write-up on him over at dobber prospects I recommend, spelling out the good and the bad.
https://dobberprospects.c...layer/yegor-sharangovich/
Still, a fifth round pick with potential is promising.

Queenie's (not so) Random Thoughts for Today:

1. Calgary wouldn't take that deal but I'd gladly move Zacha AND McLeod with Butcher and a 2nd for Johnny G. That's quantity not quality.... Similar to what Lou Lams did in the Kovy trade.

2. If you don't like Roger's blog there is still plenty of time before Christmas to buy yourself an adult toy and go (frank) yourself.... Just saying. Opinions may vary. But seriously just try to appreciate what we have because without Roger we got dinky doo. Like the song goes, love the one your with.

3. Yegor S. needs to be playing with some Russians or Belarusians on our club. Not something we have a lot of but not the most difficult problem to solve.

4. With the uncertainty with Covid and the NHL and NHLPA fighting over money and the season I'm guessing Fitzy is looking for another really good deal or he will stick with what we've got. It's a tough environment...

I think your trade offer for Johnny Hockey's a bit light. Too many problem children and what if's for the real deal.

I LIKE THESE LINES Not bad....

I would also trade
Butcher -#2 PICK , MCLEOD OR a prospect... maybe SHARK .
for JOHNNY G..

It does leave us with 3 very small forwards. Highes , Johnny and Bratt.... Hate to lose Mcleods size...

Maybe up the pick . #1 , Butcher , Shark , and another prospect...


We only got a #1 and prospects for Hall....So it's not too little....


Shocking but a good article....

No way Calgary does that trade
- shvingter88

Yep, not gonna happen. You have to give to get. I am just as happy not going after JG, the cost of assets to get him, and he is a free agent in a year and it would be Taylor Hall all over again. Been there, done that.

Yep, not gonna happen. You have to give to get. I am just as happy not going after JG, the cost of assets to get him, and he is a free agent in a year and it would be Taylor Hall all over again. Been there, done that.
- redmonsters

JG has this season (20-21) and next season (21-22) under contract. But I get your point.

Right now the Devils are sitting with the most cap space in the league and only holding 16 roster players. This doesn't include Bratt and Blackwood since they need new contracts. This does include Mcleod who isn't really an NHL player. So we are short players.

Meanwhile 10 teams are over the cap and several are close with players they likely want to resign. So I'd think Fritz is waiting for the fire sale. Not saying one will definitely happen. There is a lot of uncertainty with the NHL and NHLPA at odds and Covid etc. But when you have time, you use it. Lou Lams 101.

JG has this season (20-21) and next season (21-22) under contract. But I get your point.

Right now the Devils are sitting with the most cap space in the league and only holding 16 roster players. This doesn't include Bratt and Blackwood since they need new contracts. This does include Mcleod who isn't really an NHL player. So we are short players.

Meanwhile 10 teams are over the cap and several are close with players they likely want to resign. So I'd think Fritz is waiting for the fire sale. Not saying one will definitely happen. There is a lot of uncertainty with the NHL and NHLPA at odds and Covid etc. But when you have time, you use it. Lou Lams 101.
- Queenie_5_hole

I wouldn’t put it past our owners telling management not to take on any additional contracts. Keep the cap as low as possible because there will be no ticket revenue.

RIP devils on hockey buzz, doomed.

I wouldn’t put it past our owners telling management not to take on any additional contracts. Keep the cap as low as possible because there will be no ticket revenue.
- shvingter88

Totally possible and maybe not a bad idea for now. I just hope they are willing to pick up some discounted assets if the fire sale comes...

Totally possible and maybe not a bad idea for now. I just hope they are willing to pick up some discounted assets if the fire sale comes...
- Queenie_5_hole

I think we easily have another two years of top 10 picks, maybe even top 5.

I think we easily have another two years of top 10 picks, maybe even top 5.
- shvingter88

If we are not playoff bound I would rather a top 5 pick after a 48 game season then being a bad team falling short of playoffs with a pick around #15. Sad, but the last few years have conditioned us this way (or me at least).

If we are not playoff bound I would rather a top 5 pick after a 48 game season then being a bad team falling short of playoffs with a pick around #15. Sad, but the last few years have conditioned us this way (or me at least).
- redmonsters

With our 'rebuild' going on for a bunch of years now it looks like the right time to start evaluating the prospect pipeline. We have guys that we need to determine if they are really part of the future or not. Off the top of my head, guys like Merkley, Kukkonen, McLeod, Bastian and Boqvist need NHL ice time. A 48 game lost season is a good opportunity for that.

I coach kids hockey (14U rec level, mostly defense). Sometimes the game end up lopsided and the kids get frustrated. I tell them not to worry about the scoreboard and think of it as an opportunity to try anything they want in game action. So if they've been nervous about trying an open ice check because they don't want to get caught out of position, now is a good time. See if you can get away with a hook. Bump the goalie if he comes out of the net too far again. Whatever.... Just have fun and make the best of it. There is no pressure.

So if there is a shortened NHL hockey season this year it's kind of a similar opportunity.

I am very intrigued at the idea of trading Butcher. Don't get me wrong, I am happy that he chose to sign with us, and put up fantastic numbers right out of the gate. The issue is, his defensive game is very weak, his decisions are suspect, and I have not seen any promise in those areas to improve. This kid is just under 0.5ppg, and should lure a strong offer, especially 50% retained. I mean at 1.85M for a potential top 4 D over the next two seasons has to be worth a lot. Maybe even Coleman-esque.

With this cap crises, I think we could easily acquire a higher paid D of similar or better caliber for peanuts. Dev's need to leverage their cap, and I could see this being a simple way to acquire quality picks/prospects, that we can easily replace. Heck, Tampa would probably hand us a 3rd rd selection and Coburn for nothing. We could use a shutdown LD like Coburn to pair with Severson or P.K

Butch 50% retained for Nurse straight up

I am very intrigued at the idea of trading Butcher. Don't get me wrong, I am happy that he chose to sign with us, and put up fantastic numbers right out of the gate. The issue is, his defensive game is very weak, his decisions are suspect, and I have not seen any promise in those areas to improve. This kid is just under 0.5ppg, and should lure a strong offer, especially 50% retained. I mean at 1.85M for a potential top 4 D over the next two seasons has to be worth a lot. Maybe even Coleman-esque.

With this cap crises, I think we could easily acquire a higher paid D of similar or better caliber for peanuts. Dev's need to leverage their cap, and I could see this being a simple way to acquire quality picks/prospects, that we can easily replace. Heck, Tampa would probably hand us a 3rd rd selection and Coburn for nothing. We could use a shutdown LD like Coburn to pair with Severson or P.K

Butch 50% retained for Nurse straight up
- bikeguy99

I'd be thrilled to do something like that. I don't think Butcher is particularly valuable on his own, but as a cap relief move he could be.

I am very intrigued at the idea of trading Butcher. Don't get me wrong, I am happy that he chose to sign with us, and put up fantastic numbers right out of the gate. The issue is, his defensive game is very weak, his decisions are suspect, and I have not seen any promise in those areas to improve. This kid is just under 0.5ppg, and should lure a strong offer, especially 50% retained. I mean at 1.85M for a potential top 4 D over the next two seasons has to be worth a lot. Maybe even Coleman-esque.

With this cap crises, I think we could easily acquire a higher paid D of similar or better caliber for peanuts. Dev's need to leverage their cap, and I could see this being a simple way to acquire quality picks/prospects, that we can easily replace. Heck, Tampa would probably hand us a 3rd rd selection and Coburn for nothing. We could use a shutdown LD like Coburn to pair with Severson or P.K

Butch 50% retained for Nurse straight up
- bikeguy99

I think Tampa would be a good partner. They have some studs they can pair Butcher with to mask his deficiencies. They need help and have pieces we’d be interested in.

Not sure if you watched the EDM/CHI playin series or not. Nurse was a turnstile. He was terrible. I had always thought highly of him, until I watched him a few games in a row. Not good.

Is it me, or has anyone noticed that the Devils are the only team without the reverse retro jersey available on the NHL site. My son wants one but cannot seem to get it anywhere.