Takeaways from GM Tom Fitzgerald End of Season Press Availability

Forums/Armchair-GM

Page 1 of 1

Created by: NHLfan10506

Team: 2022-23 New Jersey Devils

Initial Creation Date: May 5, 2022

Published: May 5, 2022

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

Description

Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald gave his end of year press availability today. There is no better opening to preview the type of off-season he wants than this annual event.

Here are my major takeaways.

1. FORWARDS - He wants to diversify forward corps. Felt like they had “a lot of the same up front…don’t want to add a lot of the same”. He wants to add different characteristics…”harder to play against…heavier skill players”. These are terms I have not heard him use before. It is notable.

--- ZACHA: “we have to look at big picture” and see “if he will fit” (sounds like he is gone)
--- BRATT: He said he is big part of future and is needed in lineup. He wants to sign him long-term but cannot control what other teams do via offersheet
--- WOOD - missed him, wants him back
--- ZETTERLUND: Likes that he plays in traffic, says he has earned role.
--- HOLTZ: Expects him to come in and challenge for role next year. Did not guarantee him a spot.
--- BOQVIST: Showed a lot of growth this year
--- VESEY: left the door open to bringing him back.
--- HISCHIER, HUGHES, SHARANGOVICH: All positive. They'll be back.

2. DEFEENSE - He wants to makes some changes in defense. Wants to get bigger and more mobile.

--- BAHL: "Will be place for him" in future. Talked about his confidence growing
--- OKHOTIUK: Sounds very high on his game, which has simplified over last year.
--- MUKHAMADULLIN: He is coming. Has Visa and will be going to Utica for playoffs.
--- SUBBAN: not looking to re-sign him.

3. GOALIE - He said he will not tiptoe around it. They want another NHL goalie to challenge the ones they have. Does not know who that is or how yet he will obtain him.

--- BLACKWOOD: He needs him to be 100%. But still seems perturbed. Said they have “clean slate” now. Does not sound like he will be traded.
--- BERNIER: does not sound like he will be ready for start of season.

4. COACHES - Ruff is staying and the players support him. Both assistant coaches gone.

5. DRAFT - looking all options with 1st pick - including trading down.

---------

My take:
-- The most notable item: He wants to diversify forward group ("heavier skill")
-- The second most notable item: Competition among goalies.
-- Expanded roles next year: New goalie, one of Bahl, Okhotiuk, Zetterlund, Holtz, Foote
-- On outside looking in (or traded): Ty Smith, Zacha, Tatar, Kuokkanen
-- Will have to earn spots: Goalies, Holtz

Forecasting position battles:
-- G: obviously
-- 3LW/3RW: Foote vs Johnson vs Tatar vs Zetterlund - three different styles, depends who "diversifies" lineup more, but it sounded more optimistic for Foote and Zetterlund
-- 3C: Boqvist vs Zetterlund vs ??: We could be looking a whole new 3rd line next year if most of the top-6 returns and he is looking to diversify the forwards.
-- 3LD/3RD: Okhotiuk vs Bahl vs Mukhamadullin (yup) - "Bigger and more mobile" makes it sounds like Muk may have a pathway for next season.

---------

All the guys listed under LTIR are guys I expect could be gone next year.

Haven't added anyone yet. Have some ideas in mind that I will get into a post soon.

Free Agent Signings

RFA	YEARS	CAP HIT
Bratt, Jesper	7	$6,750,000
Wood, Miles	2	$3,000,000
Zetterlund, Fabian	2	$800,000
Thompson, Tyce	2	$800,000
Zacha, Pavel	2	$3,000,000
Boqvist, Jesper	2	$1,000,000

Buyouts

Cory Schneider: $2,000,000

Recapture Fees

Ilya Kovalchuk: $250,000

Draft	Round 1	Round 2	Round 3	Round 4	Round 5	Round 6	Round 7
2022
2023
2024

ROSTER

LONG-TERM OUTLOOK

EMBED

TEXT-EMBED

ROSTER SIZE	SALARY CAP	CAP HIT	OVERAGES	BONUSES	CAP SPACE
23	$82,500,000	$63,214,167	$0	$1,947,500	$19,285,833

Left Wing	Centre	Right Wing
	Hughes, Jack $8,000,000$8,000,000 C UFA - 8	Mercer, Dawson $894,167$894,167 ($400,000$400K) RW, C RFA - 2
Sharangovich, Yegor $2,000,000$2,000,000 C, LW, RW UFA - 1	Hischier, Nico $7,250,000$7,250,000 C UFA - 5	Bratt, Jesper $6,750,000$6,750,000 RW, LW UFA - 1
Holtz, Alexander $894,167$894,167 ($850,000$850K) RW, LW RFA - 3	Zetterlund, Fabian $800,000$800,000 RW RFA - 1
Foote, Nolan $863,333$863,333 LW RFA - 2	McLeod, Michael $975,000$975,000 C RFA - 1	Johnsson, Andreas $3,400,000$3,400,000 LW, RW M-NTC UFA - 1
Wood, Miles $3,000,000$3,000,000 LW UFA - 1		Bastian, Nathan $825,000$825,000 RW UFA - 1

Left Defense	Right Defense	Goaltender
Siegenthaler, Jonas $1,125,000$1,125,000 LD UFA - 1	Severson, Damon $4,166,666$4,166,666 RD UFA - 1	Blackwood, Mackenzie $2,800,000$2,800,000 G UFA - 1
Graves, Ryan $3,166,667$3,166,667 LD UFA - 1	Hamilton, Dougie $9,000,000$9,000,000 RD NMC UFA - 6	Daws, Nico $850,833$850,833 ($82,500$82K) G RFA - 2
Okhotiuk, Nikita $789,167$789,167 ($132,500$132K) LD RFA - 2	Mukhamadullin, Shakir $894,167$894,167 ($400,000$400K) LD RFA - 3

Scratches	Injured Reserve (IR)	Long Term IR (LTIR)
Bahl, Kevin $795,000$795,000 ($82,500$82K) LD RFA - 1		Bernier, Jonathan $4,125,000$4,125,000 G UFA - 1
Halonen, Brian $925,000$925,000 LW, RW RFA - 2		Boqvist, Jesper $1,000,000$1,000,000 C, LW RFA - 1
Thompson, Tyce $800,000$800,000 RW RFA - 2		Tatar, Tomas $4,500,000$4,500,000 LW, RW UFA - 1
		Kuokkanen, Janne $1,825,000$1,825,000 LW, C UFA - 1
		Zacha, Pavel $3,000,000$3,000,000 C, LW UFA - 1
		Walsh, Reilly $925,000$925,000 RD UFA - 1
		Smith, Ty $863,333$863,333 ($400,000$400K) LD/RD RFA - 1

May 5, 2022 at 8:58 p.m.

zk97

v5 CBJ GM

Joined: Feb. 2019

Posts: 15,911

Likes: 8,565

feel like kuokkanen and smith would be better options to have in the NHL instead of trading them, or playing halonen (who?) and mukhamadullin over them

May 5, 2022 at 9:03 p.m.

ItWasIn

CGY

Joined: Dec. 2015

Posts: 5,543

Likes: 2,066

Copp, Niederetter ,Marchment, Nichushkin could be of interest to NJ.

On the blueline if you want to get bigger, Kulak, Chiarot, Manson and a pair of Flames, Gudbranson and Zadorov will likely hit the market.

May 5, 2022 at 9:04 p.m.

NHLfan10506

Thread Starter

Joined: May 2019

Posts: 40,079

Likes: 18,335

Quoting: Zuki9797

feel like kuokkanen and smith would be better options to have in the NHL instead of trading them, or playing halonen (who?) and mukhamadullin over them

I like both players, but am trying to interpret our GMs comments.

Halonen was a NCAA free agent signing. Plays heavy game with a bit of scoring touch.
Mukhamadullin is a Russian prospect that has great size and skating ability and was full-timer in KHL at age 17.

Both seemed to fit his vision for next year.

zk97 liked this.

May 5, 2022 at 9:08 p.m.

NHLfan10506

Thread Starter

Joined: May 2019

Posts: 40,079

Likes: 18,335

Quoting: ItWasIn

Nichushkin and Niederreiter will be on my list for the follow-up post...
(And another pending free agent from Calgary too!...but not who people expect)

I think they add size by subtraction on blueline. Smith, Subban out...Bahl, Okhotiuk, Mukhamadullin in.

May 5, 2022 at 9:08 p.m.

DevilsFanZack13

Devils Guy

Joined: Aug. 2020

Posts: 1,350

Likes: 361

Do you guys think there's a chance NJ could trade for Tyler Bertuzzi? He's a player I'd love in our top 6.

May 5, 2022 at 9:10 p.m.

NHLfan10506

Thread Starter

Joined: May 2019

Posts: 40,079

Likes: 18,335

Quoting: DevilsFanZack13

Do you guys think there's a chance NJ could trade for Tyler Bertuzzi? He's a player I'd love in our top 6.

Now that Subban is gone…maybe (I think they had a thing)
Won’t be cheap after the season he has had.

RedWing9119 liked this.

May 5, 2022 at 9:16 p.m.

MellowK

Joined: Jul. 2021

Posts: 1,550

Likes: 1,276

He gave Smith more leeway than I was expecting in his interview. I really though tSmith was going to be out the door, but he kind of excused his play for his change in role this season, getting pushed off the PP and moving down the lineup because of the additions on defence. Though I still don't think Smith is his "type" on the back-end and that was cemented with his comments on getting heavier.

His comments on Holtz needing to earn his spot really makes me think we're bringing in a top 6 winger. It's good to make prospects earn their spot and I don't think he wants to take the chance on Holtz not being a full-capable top 6 winger next season.

Same goes for Walsh. Don't think he'll leave it up to chance that he'll earn that roster spot next season.

Zacha is so gone.

NHLfan10506 liked this.

May 5, 2022 at 9:18 p.m.

Devil

Speak of the Devil

Joined: Nov. 2017

Posts: 23,935

Likes: 26,436

I was going to make a post very similar to this but glad you made it since your posts are well put together

Im not fully on board with trading away Smith. Still have hope he could bounce back (with more defensive partner).

I think Boqvist stays over Johnsson

My projected lineup
Sharangovich-Hughes-Mercer
Holtz-Hischier-Bratt
X-Boqvist-Zetterlund
Wood-McLeod-Bastian

Graves-Hamilton
Siegenthaler-Severson
Bahl-Smith

Blackwood
Holtby (any vet backup)

"X" could be Kuokkanen, Foote, Tatar, Johnsson, Zacha, or FA signing

NHLfan10506 and Juiceman liked this.

May 5, 2022 at 9:20 p.m.

Devil

Speak of the Devil

Joined: Nov. 2017

Posts: 23,935

Likes: 26,436

Quoting: Devil

I also agree with @MellowK point of bringing in a top 6 winger. Trading away Zacha and not guaranteeing a spot of Holtz could mean he's open to getting a top 6 winger.

NHLfan10506 and Juiceman liked this.

May 5, 2022 at 9:20 p.m.

#10

WhereArtTLuongo

Vancouerrific

Joined: Feb. 2019

Posts: 3,214

Likes: 1,052

Would you guys perhaps offer your 3rd this year for Schenn?

May 5, 2022 at 9:44 p.m.

#11

ItWasIn

CGY

Joined: Dec. 2015

Posts: 5,543

Likes: 2,066

Quoting: NHLfan10506

I'm curious. I know every NJ fan wants Gaudreau. Is it Jarnkrok you mentioned?

May 5, 2022 at 9:46 p.m.

#12

evelutions2

Lets Get Kraken

Joined: Apr. 2021

Posts: 8,631

Likes: 3,470

Quoting: NHLfan10506

Nichushkin will be one of the top UFA players this year, and someone will win big with him. I think that he wants to resign with Colorado, but if a better offer comes along and is outside of Colorado’s pay grade, I wouldn’t be surprised if he moves on. That being said, Nino is going to resign in Carolina. I have full confidence in that, and have been saying that since the questions of who the Canes resign between Trocheck and Nino came up. Trocheck has been huge for the Canes, and being a RHC has allowed Staal to be used primarily on his strong side, but Trocheck will price himself out, Nino will probably be willing to take a discount, and KK will be taking Trocheck’s spot on the second line. Nino has been a perfect fit for the Canes, and the Canes will do everything they can to keep that Nino Staal Fast line together.

NHLfan10506 liked this.

May 5, 2022 at 9:52 p.m.

#13

NHLfan10506

Thread Starter

Joined: May 2019

Posts: 40,079

Likes: 18,335

Quoting: ItWasIn

I'm curious. I know every NJ fan wants Gaudreau. Is it Jarnkrok you mentioned?

Ruzicka

May 5, 2022 at 9:56 p.m.

#14

HeadHighSauce

Dougie HIMilton

Joined: Sep. 2020

Posts: 3,071

Likes: 1,628

Two things I just wanna comment on:

He never explicitly talked about Ruff as the head coach. He barely even eluded to it. I’m not so sure Ruff won’t be in hockey ops by the end of the playoffs.

Blackwood he specifically mentioned wants to be here. He did not say the devils want him here. Thought it was interesting, but could be reading too far into that.

May 5, 2022 at 9:56 p.m.

#15

NHLfan10506

Thread Starter

Joined: May 2019

Posts: 40,079

Likes: 18,335

Quoting: WhereArtTLuongo

Would you guys perhaps offer your 3rd this year for Schenn?

I believe there will be cheap wingers available but I doubt Blues would go that cheap

May 5, 2022 at 9:59 p.m.

#16

NHLfan10506

Thread Starter

Joined: May 2019

Posts: 40,079

Likes: 18,335

Quoting: evelutions2

Both Nichuskin and Nino will be wanted by the current teams. Both teams have other guys to sign too.

May 5, 2022 at 10:03 p.m.

#17

NHLfan10506

Thread Starter

Joined: May 2019

Posts: 40,079

Likes: 18,335

Quoting: Devil

Im not fully on board with trading away Smith. Still have hope he could bounce back (with more defensive partner).

I am not fully on board with trading any of Bahl, Okhotiuk, Smith, Etc as long as they have waiver exemption (unless we have to).

May 5, 2022 at 10:06 p.m.

#18

NHLfan10506

Thread Starter

Joined: May 2019

Posts: 40,079

Likes: 18,335

Quoting: HeadHighSauce

“Clean slate” made me think they have patches things up (even if they are not fully comfortable with it yet).

I like that he wants competition

May 5, 2022 at 10:09 p.m.

#19

HeadHighSauce

Dougie HIMilton

Joined: Sep. 2020

Posts: 3,071

Likes: 1,628

Quoting: NHLfan10506

“Clean slate” made me think they have patches things up (even if they are not fully comfortable with it yet).

I like that he wants competition

I kinda took “clean slate” as they won’t hold it against him if he’s back

May 5, 2022 at 10:12 p.m.

#20

NickC1988

Chicago

Joined: Jun. 2015

Posts: 6,997

Likes: 2,843

Regarding the forwards, I think he wants to get more Quality players in the game and less quantity. The Devils seemed to have two 4th lines throughout a large portion of the season. They should be looking to improve the depth and get more secondary scoring. Tatar and Johnsson are good, but they have multiple players who play a similar style.

May 5, 2022 at 10:24 p.m.

#21

FireShero

Joined: Jan. 2018

Posts: 973

Likes: 243

Quoting: NHLfan10506

Both Nichuskin and Nino will be wanted by the current teams. Both teams have other guys to sign too.

I doubt Nichuskin comes to the Devils with Ruff as head coach. Nichuskin left Dallas for the KHL when Ruff was the head coach in Dallas, reported it was about playing time.

Quoting: Devil

My projected lineup
Sharangovich-Hughes-Mercer
Holtz-Hischier-Bratt
X-Boqvist-Zetterlund
Wood-McLeod-Bastian

Graves-Hamilton
Siegenthaler-Severson
Bahl-Smith

Blackwood
Holtby (any vet backup)

"X" could be Kuokkanen, Foote, Tatar, Johnsson, Zacha, or FA signing

That lineup seems too similar to the current one. If Fitz wants to get "heavier" easiet spot would be 3C/4C

Sharangovich - Hughes - Mercer
Bratt - Hischier -Holtz

Top 6 more scoring offensive

Vesey - Mcleod/ FA (Sturm, Paul, Lazar ie good at faceoffs, hits, kills penalties) - Zetterlund
Wood/ Greer/ Foote - Mcleod/ FA - Bastian

Bottom 6 more hits, dump and chase, good on faceoffs.

Move Tatar, Kuokkanen, Johnsson, and or Zacha between draft/ training camp. Keep 1 for a 13th skater.

Bahl comes in for Subban. Defense mainly stays the same sign some 7th guy for the bench.

May 5, 2022 at 11:16 p.m.

#22

WhereArtTLuongo

Vancouerrific

Joined: Feb. 2019

Posts: 3,214

Likes: 1,052

Quoting: NHLfan10506

I believe there will be cheap wingers available but I doubt Blues would go that cheap

No I mean Luke lol

May 5, 2022 at 11:55 p.m.

#23

Devil

Speak of the Devil

Joined: Nov. 2017

Posts: 23,935

Likes: 26,436

Quoting: FireShero

I doubt Nichuskin comes to the Devils with Ruff as head coach. Nichuskin left Dallas for the KHL when Ruff was the head coach in Dallas, reported it was about playing time.

That lineup seems too similar to the current one. If Fitz wants to get "heavier" easiet spot would be 3C/4C

Sharangovich - Hughes - Mercer
Bratt - Hischier -Holtz

Top 6 more scoring offensive

Vesey - Mcleod/ FA (Sturm, Paul, Lazar ie good at faceoffs, hits, kills penalties) - Zetterlund
Wood/ Greer/ Foote - Mcleod/ FA - Bastian

Bottom 6 more hits, dump and chase, good on faceoffs.

Move Tatar, Kuokkanen, Johnsson, and or Zacha between draft/ training camp. Keep 1 for a 13th skater.

Bahl comes in for Subban. Defense mainly stays the same sign some 7th guy for the bench.

Having a similar top 6 to last year isn't a bad idea. This team was boarderline top 5 in scoring with this top 6 before Hughes got hurt. Adding Holtz would only help

The problem with having a "heavy bottom 6" is that they would have trouble scoring. If the top 6 somehow can't produce, we need a mix of physical and scoring (more physical). Maybe a guy like Nolan Foote.

Juiceman liked this.

May 8, 2022 at 11:33 a.m.

#24

FireShero

Joined: Jan. 2018

Posts: 973

Likes: 243

Quoting: Devil

Agree with same top 6 is fine. The Devils can score but they have also been in the bottom 10 for the last 4 years in goals against.

Guys like Tatar, Boqvist, Kuokkanen, and Johnsson haven't scored enough points to justify keeping them in the lineup. I'd rather have Mcleod, Bastian, Greer, Veseys' 20 points a year, and have guys that hit, win faceoffs, pk, play a 200 foot game then Johnsson's/ Tatar's 30-40 points.

May 8, 2022 at 2:20 p.m.

#25

NHLfan10506

Thread Starter

Joined: May 2019

Posts: 40,079

Likes: 18,335

Quoting: Devil

Quoting: FireShero

“Heavier skill” I read to be distinguishable with just “heavies”. I think Johnson, Tatar, even Zacha (who is big, but plays like he is small) would risk losing playing time to guys with heavier game like Zetterlund, Foote.

I’d like us to add one big-body-soft hands forward who can mix it up near the net. A JvR or Hornqvist (in their primes) type. Other than that, think we are good.

Page 1 of 1

DISPLAY SETTING

BETTING ODDS

LOCALE

ARCHIVE

CBA

CALCULATORS

FANTASY HOCKEY TOOLS

TOOLS

PLAYERS

WESTERN CONFERENCE

EASTERN CONFERENCE

INTERACTIVE FEATURES

Forums/Armchair-GM