I wouldn't call them a dynasty.. Colorado, Dallas and Detroit were better teams over those years. They were certainly a boring, trap-playing, defensive-minded team though.
@Andrew Borody The narrative around them being a boring trap team is hysterical. I've been following this team avidly since 1990. They led in scoring or were 2nd or 3rd in the league in scoring most of those years. They were the team that implemented the Trap the best because they all bought in and were committed to it. You'd also be aware that NJD didn't use the Trap in 2003 when they won the cup. Guess who else implemented the Trap during their cup appearances? That would be The Detroit Red Wings (winning 2 with it), but nobody puts an asterisk next to those cup years like they do NJD who won 2 cups with it as well. In 94-95, when the Red Wings had the best record in the NHL, that was Trap hockey. Same thing in '97 and onwards. Scotty Bowman called it "The Leftwing Lock." Also, if you read my comments, I said they had the potential to be a Dynasty, which is exactly what the Devils were during the mid 90s to 2012 with 5 cup appearances (winning 3, 1 more than Colorado during that time) multiple playoff births, 5 conference championships, 9 division championships...etc. Detroit was a better team winning 4 cups in that time span, but that doesn't invalidate what NJ accomplished. The Dallas Stars? They only won 1 cup 🤣🤣🤣
Grame Clarke is a good RW prospect in the AHL with the comets. Currently leads the team in points by a mile at 21 years old. He should make the roster next season. Maybe he's gonna develop into a top 6 player for us in the future. Edit: Completely forgot about Holtz lol. He needs to work on his skating though. Crazy we didn't have to give him up in the Meier trade. Fitz did a great job there.
Is there a better core than the devils top 6 in the league? Factoring in contracts and age? Well pay Bratt and Meier. I would hope Tatar and Haula want to be a part of this core. And we have Mercer right behind. Resign Graves or another defenseman, with Hughes and Nemecs? Should be a fun team for awhile
The Devils will almost literally, have 6+ years of icing an All-Star team. I think Mercer is exceeding expectations, and will only get better. Luke Hughes will be a top 4 defenseman in the LEAGUE, and Simon Nemec, *may* end up being one of the best defenseman Europe has ever produced. Hischier is a Selke-level two-way, Jack? What else can you say? Slightly above average goaltending may be all they need.
@@PatTalksHockey Yes, that would truly be lights out hockey. The intriguing thing, is that they have been potting 5, 6, 7 goals per game, ALL from DIFFERENT players! Talk about balanced scoring. This will be a frightening team…
I think Severson and and Tatar are let go in the off season, as combined, their salary is $8.66 million. Severson's 3rd line D position could be platooned by Smith/Hughes/Nemec. Graves works so well with Marino (who is still very young) that I believe they will be hesitant to break that pair up next year.
Really depends how quick they can be NHL ready, at same time players like Severson will be looking for term and that's hard to give with those propsects coming up. At same time they will be on league min, so it gives time to figure out who to trade later on if you do reup some of the depth pieces, cant tie yourself to all of them tho
Honestly I think Severson is gone either way and they sign an older RHD UFA for a 1-2 year deal as a bandaid before Nemec takes the spot. I think Luke will be competing for that 3LD spot next year...but with Bahl getting time now to develop now - if they think he's grown enough they may be included to let Gravy go as well. In the grand scheme of things, I think they'll opt to lose some depth next year on defense in order to be stronger longterm in 2025 and beyond.
