I’m here to bang on the Zadorov drum. I love the idea of getting Pesce as well and moving on from Marino. He had a very rough year and that K’andre Miller (for lack of a better word) “fight” when he was getting ragged and turtled was the end for me 😂
I want Zadorov too Garry. I miss those big rugged open ice hitters that there's not alot of, a gamble at 6×6, but man hell be a presence back there for the Devils
@@THEHOCKEYSKATEDOWN amen to that. He checks every box the Devis need for this team in my opinion. I pick him over Pesce but have no problems at all if they end up just getting Pesce.
@@millertime1101 for real. Although I always thought that this team wasn’t going to be ready to truly compete until Siegenthaler slotted in correctly to the 3rd defensive pairing. I feel like if he is in the top 4 the defensive depth isn’t deep enough to be a true contender.
Ok, Marino stinks. I totally agree. However, bashing him for the Ranger fight is unwarranted. In fact, I give Marino a ton of credit because he is obviously not a fighter yet found himself in a situation where he had to throw down. And he did. Sure he got his bell rung, but he did answer the bell. That in & of itself is worth credit. Marino may stink at playing defense, but he is no jabroni
I just want to point this out, two years ago our defense looked great under Andrew Burnette, last season under Lindy Ruff the whole team looked terrible, I think under Sheldon Keefe our defense is going to look good again, I looks forward to seeing how our roster looks come October! Thanks for the Video!
Np anytime I agree our D looked great under Brunette, plus our players were less injured too so that was a factor too, but Fitzy is going to add some good pieces this offseason, I cant wait
Love the DiSimone signing. And Ill take Pesce if the price is right. Knowing Fitz , he will drastically overpay because that is what he does. Marino stinks. The man is terrible in the corners and invisible in front of the net. Would be interesting to see what he could garner on the market. Still think the 10th will be moved so he may he a sweetner in a package deal for a big fish. 🎣
Marino is not even that bad, he had one bad year. Pesce is literally worse than Marino people just like new and shiny and forget that everyone had a bad year last year, Keep Marino, trade seigs and if you really want Pesce bring him in. Im a Marino defender hes younger and his first year was amazing.
@lukefantini9770 Sure Marino was saddled with playing with rookies. That said, no player consistently STUNK defensively as Marino. How many times did he forget his assignment or forget to box out the front of the net. That is basic defense 101. There is a reason the Penguins bailed on him (for Smith 🤡) and there is a reason NJ will too. The last thing NJ needs at the moment is another offensive defenseman who can't play defense.
Pesce can clear the net, play PK, and is good at cutting off cross passes in the Devils zone, which killed the team last season. If the money is right, it would be a good move. I like DeSimone as a 7th man insurance policy in case someone gets injured.
You guys got $16 mill in cap space so this is a realistic deal. Marino is due $4 mill for the next 3 years but is certainly a moveable asset. The Devils MUST add sandpaper and depth to that blue line and to the bottom six. The addition of Markstrom is a definite upgrade in the pipes and the coaching has already been adressed. New Jersey is not far from counting themselves once again amongst the leagues elite but there is work to be done. It appears that a blockbuster is brewing in The Brick City concerning a possible acquisition of Martin Necas. The hockey hotstove is heating up during the heatwave, lets see what happens!
Nikita Zadorov is my top choice. If we can get Nikita Zadorov and Pesci for 12 million, I would be all for it. We are lacking beef on the blue line. I still am very interested in Rutger McGroarty if he will be moved. I would move the first round pick for him. I know all three local teams are in on him so I hope the Devils land this future captain.
I agree with everything you said. Ive been wanting Zadorov for some time, I love big open ice hitters and there's not alot of regulars to do it anymore, but yeah him and Pesce would be awesome, but cap wise I dont know if thats in Fitzys plans. Rutgers would be an awesome addition if Fitzgerald can pull that off
We need dougie hamilton back and healthy. His prescience in and off the ice around these young defence man is priceless. We are already a better team than last year with markstrom and a healthy timo and Hamilton. Of course we need another 1-2 dmen. All the cards must be on the able this year. This is the year. No holding back.
I agree Andrew, I said in a bunch of my videos that the loss of Hamilton would be huge bc how many PP goals and points did he factor in on last season. Then even before the injury I felt like Luke hughes was getting more PP time than Hamilton was. Fitzgerald will add, im so anxious to see what he adds, going to be a better year for the Devils this year
@@THEHOCKEYSKATEDOWN hoping Keefe gets Luke and Dougie both on PP one also. You can see it all over Dougies face last season that he was not super happy with being on PP2 over a Rookie D man. And Luke needs to let that shot rip more. Having Dougie on the other side give you 2 great options on the point.
Pretty much agree with everything you mentioned. So much went wrong with the D last year I think both Marino and Siegenthaler are better off in a new location. But like you mentioned, Marino is taking up more cap space. I might have preferred Ullmark over Markstrom but the dice have been rolled and we will see what happens to both starting in 3 months. Markstrom certainly has the right attitude and he wanted to be here. Just he's not a long term solution because of his age.
Hopefully he can stay healthy, if Markstrom is healthy he will play good for us. Have a feeling Ullmark is going to give Ottawa a tough time with a new deal
@@THEHOCKEYSKATEDOWN Healthy, wealthy, and wise. Hamilton too. Did you see recent speculation about the next Luke Hughes contract maybe for 8 years in the low 9's ?
DiSimone is ok but he isnt a guarantee to make the team. All a one way contract means is if he’s sent to the Ahl he’s going to get paid the same money as if he were in the NHL. No idea what’s going to happen but I’m pretty sure there will be many changes.
I'm sure hell be our 7/8 D. I think he earned more ice time, was serviceable last year. Im hoping Hatakka gets more playing time too I like what I saw from him, but I dont know what Fitzgerald will add
I hope Pesce isn’t starting a rapid decline. Ok with Desimone signing; ALWAYS need defensive depth. Speaking of which: I also hope Hatakka is still around
The key to any move for UFAs like Pesce, Zadorov, Skjei etc. is not overpaying them... or you can overpay, but keep the contract shorter. These guys are all gonna want money and term. I really like all of them, but please don't overpay 🙏 Let's go Devils 😈🏒
I know I hope they don't, but free agency GMs will bend and overpay to get the player they want or risk not getting anything at all. Look at what Palat got for example. It happens, but hopefully Fitzgerald moves onto another player quickly if someone is asking too much
