stacked up front but the defense needs work. nj should look to move a young forward for a young defenseman.

Thanks for doing a Devils post!

I think...
1. Mercer stays at center and they go with 1-2-3 punch. Hischier can play hard defensive minutes and Mercer's D is pretty solid too.
2. Zacha stays next to Hischier, they seem to play well together (Zacha has 31 pts in 37 games as Nico's LW).
3. Wood is injured, but ideally our 4th line is once again Wood/McLeod/Bastian next year.
4. Last year, Kuokkanen and Sharangovich did well on Hughes' wings. They were there again for some of last night.

Kuokkanen* -- Hughes -- Sharangovich
Johnsson -- Mercer -- Bratt
Zacha -- Hischier -- Tatar**
Wood -- McLeod -- Bastian

Graves*** -- Hamilton
Siegenthaler -- Severson***
Smith + TBD****

ETA 2021-22: Alexander Holtz, Nolan Foote, either Graeme Clarke or Tyce Thompson
ETA 2022-23: Nikita Okhotiuk, Arseni Gritsyuk, a goalie in either Nico Daws or Akira Schmid
ETA 2023-24: Luke Hughes, Shakir Mukhamadullin, Samu Salminen, Nikola Pasic
ETA 2024-25: Ethan Edwards

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* this spot will likely be Holtz's by this time next year.
** this spot will like go to Clarke, Thompson or Gritsyuk once Tatar departs
*** Both Graves and Severson have 1.5 years remaining. We likely extend on of them.
**** Smith can play both sides, so "TBD" could be any new acquisition or Bahl, Okhotiuk, White from AHL.

Think you get more or less everything right. Lines are good, the Bratt and Zacha contracts are reasonable, maybe Gaudreau is a bit pricey but would still be fantastic to have him.
I like that you moved a winger, Wood in this case, as NJD are gonna be running a surplus of top 9 wingers in the short-term. I'd like to get a little more back for him though.
Also, Zacha really shouldn't be playing center anymore, that turns him into liability and not an asset. He should be glued to Nico's wing for as long as he remains a Devil.

Could probably use another d-man, especially with Severson and Graves on expiring deals next year.

Any suggestions on who to target?

depends on what player nj wants to give up. i'm not that familar with nj to be honest. it's more of an offseason move anyway so i'd have to see who is available.

They should maybe look at girard

Anyone expect Hughes, Hischier, Mercer, Bratt, Sharangovich and Holtz. Maybe Zacha.

Available - Tatar, Kuokkanen, Nolan Foote, Chase Stillman, Johnsson, etc



Last I saw was that he was not available.

And I'd think we'd want more defensive player.
Between Hamilton, Ty Smith, Severson, Luke Hughes, we should be ok on offensive d-men.

Appreciate the feedback my friend!!

Thanks man! Yeah I figured Wood was the odd man out in this situation. Agree with Gaudreau but yeah he would be an awesome add.

Great post!
Roster looks good right now and the future looks even better
These would be the changes I would make to the lines
Holtz-Hughes-Sharangovich
Zacha-Nico-Tatar
Johnsson-Mercer-Bratt
Wood/Vesey/Kuokkanen-McLeod-Bastian

And on defense I would resign Subban for 1 year

Thanks man! Yeah my lines were probably off a bit, yours look better lol. I appreciate the feedback