No offensive upside whatsoever, but honestly who cares when we have Luke/Nemec/Casey in the wings. He uses his body pretty well and he's an excellent skater for his size. Definitely can be a top 4 shutdown D who can play on the PK if he continues to develop well. Not as much of a project as Mukhamadullin, but not too far off tbh.

D'ickinson and Buium are better prospects with higher ceilings.
- vlongo4419

Wasn't expecting Erik karlsson but we do need defensive dmen just feel with a top 10 pick you should have some offense as you can grab shut down dmen and tall dmen seems they don't seem to pan out

Wasn't expecting Erik karlsson but we do need defensive dmen just feel with a top 10 pick you should have some offense as you can grab shut down dmen and tall dmen seems they don't seem to pan out
- dmarsden2988

For sure, I dont hate the pick at all. Bob McKenzie had him ranked 4th, and some scouts said this about him:

Scout 1: “At the end of the day, all that really matters is that he’s a 17-year-old who played regularly in the KHL and played well and showed he has all the tools be a shutdown NHL defender who can still skate and carry or pass a puck up the ice,” said a scout. “That’s a unicorn.”

Scout 2: “He’s going to be an elite defender,” another scout said. “A huge minute muncher. That and that alone provides huge value, but he’s not without some offensive ability, but it’s most definitely secondary.”

In terms of how the Devils are built on the back end, he makes sense as the pick. He adds a different element into the system, and if he turns out to be what people project to be its going to be massive for the future of our defense.

So in a few years

Hughes
Never
Casey?
Giant
Hamilton

I knew whoever we selected wouldn't be ready this year but do wonder what we will do to fill the holes

Not sure if you are watching the ESPN feed, but they compared him to Hedman.

So in a few years

Hughes
Never
Casey?
Giant
Hamilton

I knew whoever we selected wouldn't be ready this year but do wonder what we will do to fill the holes
- dmarsden2988

I imagine Pesce will be on that list, with the rumors that we're signing him to a ~6x6 deal. No idea who the 6th D will be. Im so curious how the next few days play out. According to Fitz' want list(with Markstrom done and assuming Pesce becomes a Devil) he still wants/needs to get a top-6 forward, bottom-6 forward, and a bottom-4 D.

I imagine Pesce will be on that list, with the rumors that we're signing him to a ~6x6 deal. No idea who the 6th D will be. Im so curious how the next few days play out. According to Fitz' want list(with Markstrom done and assuming Pesce becomes a Devil) he still wants/needs to get a top-6 forward, bottom-6 forward, and a bottom-4 D.
- vlongo4419

I was assuming top 6 forward would have been via trade for our pick not really sure what FA fits the criteria that would sign without a big overpayment

I was assuming top 6 forward would have been via trade for our pick not really sure what FA fits the criteria that would sign without a big overpayment
- dmarsden2988

Yep i would've traded the pick for a forward, but that didnt happen. Maybe Marino in a package brings in a winger(although i've been hearing he may only be moved for draft picks). So if not then it looks like Fitz will be hitting the UFA market for everything other than goalie lol.

For sure, I dont hate the pick at all. Bob McKenzie had him ranked 4th, and some scouts said this about him:

Scout 1: “At the end of the day, all that really matters is that he’s a 17-year-old who played regularly in the KHL and played well and showed he has all the tools be a shutdown NHL defender who can still skate and carry or pass a puck up the ice,” said a scout. “That’s a unicorn.”

Scout 2: “He’s going to be an elite defender,” another scout said. “A huge minute muncher. That and that alone provides huge value, but he’s not without some offensive ability, but it’s most definitely secondary.”

In terms of how the Devils are built on the back end, he makes sense as the pick. He adds a different element into the system, and if he turns out to be what people project to be its going to be massive for the future of our defense.
- vlongo4419

When do they tell us he’s a bust and staying in the KHL?

Yep i would've traded the pick for a forward, but that didnt happen. Maybe Marino in a package brings in a winger(although i've been hearing he may only be moved for draft picks). So if not then it looks like Fitz will be hitting the UFA market for everything other than goalie lol.
- vlongo4419

I have a feeling if Marino isn't traded by the 3rd round he won't be traded as I can't see teams trading next years picks for him.

Also if he isn't traded I think while there are pesce rumours it may indicate Fitz may know he isn't signing

Always the chance of keeping Marino until pesce is signed and trading him or keeping both which may not be the worst

Nemec Hamilton
Hughes pesce
Siegenthaler marino

Would love to get pesce and one of bortuzzi or domi and depth

I have a feeling if Marino isn't traded by the 3rd round he won't be traded as I can't see teams trading next years picks for him.

Also if he isn't traded I think while there are pesce rumours it may indicate Fitz may know he isn't signing

Always the chance of keeping Marino until pesce is signed and trading him or keeping both which may not be the worst

Nemec Hamilton
Hughes pesce
Siegenthaler marino

Would love to get pesce and one of bortuzzi or domi and depth
- dmarsden2988

Yeah I'd be shocked if Marino is traded today. I think it's more likely he's traded after July 1, but i could just be wrong. Could you imagine if we traded Marino today and then Pesce decided to sign elsewhere on Monday? Lol, that'd be borderline disastrous, so I don't think Fitz would risk that.

Is pesce really that good? He’s almost 30 and the Carolina blog said he’s already taking a step back- and is only on the 2nd pair. At least he’s got 2” and 20lbs on Marino, but also 2 and a half years.

Is pesce really that good? He’s almost 30 and the Carolina blog said he’s already taking a step back- and is only on the 2nd pair. At least he’s got 2” and 20lbs on Marino, but also 2 and a half years.
- MartysBetter88

Its close. Marino is better is some aspects and Pesce is better in some aspects. I assume the Devils prefer what Pesce is better at.

Marino is a better puck mover, better at retrievals, and better in transition. Pesce is a better off the rush defender, better at clearing out the front of the net, better on the PK, and better at shutting down passing lanes. The biggest difference ive seen between the two is that Marino was one of the worst D at protecting passing lanes to the slot, whereas Pesce was arguably the most effective D in the league at shutting them down. Plus, like you said, Pesce is bigger. So Tom loves that lol.

So it's essentially downgrading at puck moving ability to get better defensively. Is that worth an extra ~1.5-2M in cap space for double the years while getting 2 years older? In the short term probably yes, long term I'd say probably no.

Its close. Marino is better is some aspects and Pesce is better in some aspects. I assume the Devils prefer what Pesce is better at.

Marino is a better puck mover, better at retrievals, and better in transition. Pesce is a better off the rush defender, better at clearing out the front of the net, better on the PK, and better at shutting down passing lanes. The biggest difference ive seen between the two is that Marino was one of the worst D at protecting passing lanes to the slot, whereas Pesce was arguably the most effective D in the league at shutting them down. Plus, like you said, Pesce is bigger. So Tom loves that lol.

So it's essentially downgrading at puck moving ability to get better defensively. Is that worth an extra ~1.5-2M in cap space for double the years while getting 2 years older? In the short term probably yes, long term I'd say probably no.
- vlongo4419

What do you do for work? You seem like a smart guy. You should be a scout or something lol.

What do you do for work? You seem like a smart guy. You should be a scout or something lol.
- MartysBetter88

Haha I'm definitely not that smart, I'm a barber. I just like talking hockey and seeing the charts that get posted/look them up myself. Being in some discords definitely help, because that's all they talk about most of the day lol.

But yeah there's people who arent a fan of the Marino->Pesce tradeoff, while there's other people who love it. I get both sides of it. I personally think it's a slight upgrade in the short term, but could possibly be an issue ~3-4 years from now when we're paying a 34 year old Pesce ~6M to play on the 3rd pair.

Also, this move would probably make Casey expendable? Dougie still has 4 years left, Pesce would have 6, and Nemec is going to be here for a while. So there'd be no spot for Casey for a loooong time, outside of injuries.

John Marino and pick 153 has been traded to Utah for pick 49 and a 2nd next year.

Seravalli says along with Pesce, the Devils are expected to take a strong run at Brenden Dillon on Monday.

Seravalli says along with Pesce, the Devils are expected to take a strong run at Brenden Dillon on Monday.
- vlongo4419

Barber is cool. Good for you. So your hockey knowledge is build on passion/obsession lol.

With both Pesce and Dillion, our D will.. or should.. be miles better than last season- plus the rookies not being rookies anymore- plus Dougie being back and giving the opposition something else to worry about.

Curious how the money will all pan out, compared to simply keeping Graves and Marino together for whatever that would’ve cost.
.. and if the next few years will be that much better in comparison.

Barber is cool. Good for you. So your hockey knowledge is build on passion/obsession lol.

With both Pesce and Dillion, our D will.. or should.. be miles better than last season- plus the rookies not being rookies anymore- plus Dougie being back and giving the opposition something else to worry about.

Curious how the money will all pan out, compared to simply keeping Graves and Marino together for whatever that would’ve cost.
.. and if the next few years will be that much better in comparison.
- MartysBetter88

For sure. Factoring everything in it should in theory be better than last year, and also bigger/tougher/more physical. We shall see how it all plays out. Apparently Graves totally fell off in Pitt and was horrible this year, Pens fans want him gone from what i've seen lol.

Definitely interested to see the prices we get Pesce(rumored to be 6x6) and Dillon or whoever at. Devils currently have 19.6M in cap space. So Pesce at 6, Dillon at ~3M(based on EH projection), and Mercer on a bridge at ~3.8M(also based on EH projection). If nobody else is traded away, that leaves us with ~6.8M to upgrade at forward. Not much room there if Fitz still wants both a top-6 and bottom-6 forward. Really curious to see what he does, because i cant see us just running it back up front.

Devils are trading Akira Schmid and Alex Holtz to the Golden Knights for Paul Cotter and a 3rd round pick

Seravalli says along with Pesce, the Devils are expected to take a strong run at Brenden Dillon on Monday.
- vlongo4419

That would really help the defence out and a step in the right direction as long as smart decisions

Hamilton Nemec
Hughes pesce
Dillion siegenthaler (needs a bounce back)

If they can grab one of domi or burtuzzi it would be a successful offseason

See we drafted a goalie in the 2nd

Good move or should have gone for a positional pick? Haven't focused on prospects

Schmid and holtz traded to Vegas for cotter and a 3rd

Any info on cotter?

Did we give holtz up for nothing

Schmid and holtz traded to Vegas for cotter and a 3rd

Any info on cotter?

Did we give holtz up for nothing
- dmarsden2988

Big 4th liner with average defensive metrics, does nothing well, and hits a lot. Terrible trade. Only good thing is he's on an ELC I guess. No idea what Fitz is thinking here.

Big 4th line center who does nothing well. Terrible trade. Only good thing is he's on an ELC I guess. No idea what Fitz is thinking here.
- vlongo4419

In that case very disappointing trade

While holtz wasn't who we hoped for when drafted he still has room to improve and did put up some points while playing limited roles and mins

Devils are trading Akira Schmid and Alex Holtz to the Golden Knights for Paul Cotter and a 3rd round pick
- vlongo4419

Im starting to think Holtz was a locker room cancer. Not making the national team was kinda of a head scratcher but the guy probably has an attitude issue that was apparent to the team.