Roger Mussa: Bastian inked!

I think comparing Bastian to Madden is pretty charitable of you. John put up 23 goals in his second year with NJ and scored 98 points in 75 games in Albany one season. Granted I'm cherry picking his stats but he was a much more dynamic player.

That said, I like Nathan a lot and think the team needs what he brings. Hope he survives expansion.

He's the most physical player on the team. Nice sign!

Excellent deal for team & player! Keep the young talent developing and under contract.

I think comparing Bastian to Madden is pretty charitable of you. John put up 23 goals in his second year with NJ and scored 98 points in 75 games in Albany one season. Granted I'm cherry picking his stats but he was a much more dynamic player.

That said, I like Nathan a lot and think the team needs what he brings. Hope he survives expansion.
- Queenie_5_hole

I really think we give Seattle a late pick and have them pick Butcher. He was clearly not valued by the organization but might have some decent value for an expansion team.

As for Risto, definitely a weird fit. I wonder if its just Fitz doing some homework because we do need a RHD and if he comes really cheap what the hell. Worst case he walks at the end of the season. Jeff Petry was on a terrible EDM team and had poor analytics, granted not nearly as bad, went to MTL and turned it around at a similar age. Maybe Fitz sees something similar in Risto.

Solid. You need these types to win. Big body playoff style player

Madden was 5’11 center. Not a 6’3 winger. Just sayin

As for Risto, definitely a weird fit. I wonder if its just Fitz doing some homework because we do need a RHD and if he comes really cheap what the hell. Worst case he walks at the end of the season. Jeff Petry was on a terrible EDM team and had poor analytics, granted not nearly as bad, went to MTL and turned it around at a similar age. Maybe Fitz sees something similar in Risto.
- rmdevil313

I just don't really see it with Risto. Sure, some guys are able to turn it around but he's spend his entire career playing bad defense in front of bad coaches. Not sure how he just turns it around now. I don't mind the "spend a late round pick to pick up an undervalued player" move just this guy has almost nothing going for him.

I just don't really see it with Risto. Sure, some guys are able to turn it around but he's spend his entire career playing bad defense in front of bad coaches. Not sure how he just turns it around now. I don't mind the "spend a late round pick to pick up an undervalued player" move just this guy has almost nothing going for him.
- Pomegrant

Can't say I disagree. Hopefully he's the last option.

DOOMED.

And, where is Woo? Why haven’t we been woo’d yet? 🤔

Madden was 5’11 center. Not a 6’3 winger. Just sayin
- Theathletic is for libs

Almost identical

DOOMED.

And, where is Woo? Why haven’t we been woo’d yet? 🤔
- Banana_Hammock

Hopefully it was a sick joke

I really think we give Seattle a late pick and have them pick Butcher. He was clearly not valued by the organization but might have some decent value for an expansion team.
- rmdevil313

why tf would we give a pick to take Butcher? Idk why the coaching staff gave him so much crap. He's nowhere near as bad as Subban. I agree that Seattle will probably take Butcher, but that's no favor to NJ and I damn sure wouldn't be giving a pick for it.

why tf would we give a pick to take Butcher? Idk why the coaching staff gave him so much crap. He's nowhere near as bad as Subban. I agree that Seattle will probably take Butcher, but that's no favor to NJ and I damn sure wouldn't be giving a pick for it.
- jtylerm

It is a bit of a favor to NJ if Butcher is the guy the team wants to lose. Ruff didn't play him because his system is based on speed and Will doesn't have much. So while Butcher might be a useful player to Seattle, he's the odd man out here.

Personally, I don't think he looked bad when they finally had to use him.

why tf would we give a pick to take Butcher? Idk why the coaching staff gave him so much crap. He's nowhere near as bad as Subban. I agree that Seattle will probably take Butcher, but that's no favor to NJ and I damn sure wouldn't be giving a pick for it.
- jtylerm

I would be willing to give Seattle our second pick to take subban off our hands

why tf would we give a pick to take Butcher? Idk why the coaching staff gave him so much crap. He's nowhere near as bad as Subban. I agree that Seattle will probably take Butcher, but that's no favor to NJ and I damn sure wouldn't be giving a pick for it.
- jtylerm

At that point it would be like trading a 5th for Bastien, McLeod, or Johnson, which I think all are worth it. Butcher is too slow for our system and clearly the organization doesn’t see a fit here.

I just don't really see it with Risto. Sure, some guys are able to turn it around but he's spend his entire career playing bad defense in front of bad coaches. Not sure how he just turns it around now. I don't mind the "spend a late round pick to pick up an undervalued player" move just this guy has almost nothing going for him.
- Pomegrant

I'm struggling to see what anyone sees in Risto.

With no Palmieri to resign, Zajac off the books, the Cammalleri buy out over the Devils have a lot of money freed up. McLeod, Sharangovich and Siegenthaler probably get small bumps in salary as RFAs and they need to sign a legit back up goalie. Still leaves a ton of money freed up and this is the last year of 9 mil Subban.

Saad, Landeskog, etc are probably pipe dreams, but I'm hoping against hope that this is the year the owners open the wallet up a bit and bring in legit NHL players instead of hoping to turn around cast offs.

Edmonton is in some real cap trouble, two UFAs I's like to see the Devils go after would be Larsson- he's never going to be an offensive dynamo but we really need a steady dman that can play major minutes against opponents top lines and kill penalties. The other in Nugent-Hopkins who could easily fit as a top 6 LW and fill the Zajac role on PKs.

But we will probably get Risto and a bargain bin winger or two.

I would be willing to give Seattle our second pick to take subban off our hands
- shvingter88

Same, but I doubt it happens. We are doomed so we probably lose one of McLeod or Sharangovich.

I would be willing to give Seattle our second pick to take subban off our hands
- shvingter88

If we were tight on cap, but we have so much so not worth trading a second for a guy with one year left. Just let it expire. If Sub plays bad Ruff doesnt need 20 min a game or play 82 from him.

I would be willing to give Seattle our second pick to take subban off our hands
- shvingter88

I can't wait until his contract is up and he gets out of NJ. Biggest disappointment ever!

Personally, I don't think he looked bad when they finally had to use him.
- Queenie_5_hole

That's kinda my point too. Butcher looked just as good as any d-man we have that's not named Ty Smith. Who is it that will be exposed that you all think we need to protect by enticing Seattle with a pick to take Butcher? Butcher on his own is a good bottom 4 d-man. I'd only be willing to throw a pick Seattle's way if they're taking Subban's garbage self off our hands. Other than that, I don't see anyone we have to worry about losing that would be hard to replace.

Same, but I doubt it happens. We are doomed so we probably lose one of McLeod or Sharangovich.
- smellmyfinger

Sharangovich is not eligible for Seattle to select.

Per NHL.com:

All first- and second-year professionals, and all unsigned draft choices, will be exempt from selection.

Sharangovich is not eligible for Seattle to select.

Per NHL.com:
- jtylerm

He is eligible, and does need to be protected. This past year was his 3rd full pro season in north america. 2 years in Bingo then this year in Jersey

You can just use the expansion feature on cap friendly to see who is eligible to be selected if you dont know.

Since ownership has no intention of spending money, they have to keep subban to get to the salary floor. This ownership group only cares about how much money the prudential center takes in now that covid is just about done. The only reason they bought the devils is they were a package with the arena.