I thought Fitz has done a great job. The biggest issues last season were physical play, defense, and goaltending. He's added: G Markstrom C Cotter D Kovacevic D Pesce D Dillon RW Noesen Teams are no longer going to be able to push Nico, Hughes, and Bratt around where no one reacts or answers the Bell. These all aren't goons either. They can all play as well. Getting a Marchessault would have been exciting, but this team has vastly improved their situation. Fitz has made this team better for opening day.
@THEHOCKEYSKATEDOWNАй бұрын
Yeah that whole thing in the morning deflated Devils fans. I was pissed bc everywhere was making it seem like Marchessault was coming to NJ. Fitzgerald did very good with the players he brought in and didn't just add goons. He brought in players that can skate and play too
@odin4477Ай бұрын
Fitz did do a great job. He addressed nearly all of the glaring holes that the team had in defense, goal, and at head coach. The team is going to be tremendously better than they were last year. There's just a section of fans that will literally find anything to piss and moan about. Instead of being happy that the team improved overall they'll cry about get "deflated" about what didn't happen. It's actually comical to watch at this point. People NEED something to be pissed off about, instead of chalking up a solid set of wins in FA. Everyone on the outside is talking about what a good day it was for the Devils and delusional "fans" are crying about not giving guys in their mid 30s 5 year contracts worth over 5.5 million a year. That they would then piss and moan about 3 years from now. It's an absolute clown show in the Devils Fandom today.
@SmokeTubeBBQАй бұрын
Jack needs a winger in the worst way
@Mechanicsville804Ай бұрын
Did you forget him and Jesper Bratt were too 5 in the NHL in points before Jack got hurt? Him and Jesper have the chemistry
@THEHOCKEYSKATEDOWNАй бұрын
They did have chemistry, but that other side hopefully they can get someone instead of using palat or haula there
@Mooseman327Ай бұрын
@@THEHOCKEYSKATEDOWN Just WHO, exactly? Fitzy missed on everybody.
@vits1627Ай бұрын
@@Mooseman327tarasenko!!!
@WaltBTBАй бұрын
Fitz did exactly what was needed in order to address the biggest issues with the team so far. Goalie situation: check. Upgrade the defense with defense-first players: check. Add sandpaper to the bottom 6: check. Could their be an addition still to pair up with Jack? Sure, but that's something that can be done via a trade. In fact, I think that's the only way this was going to get done anyway because there's going to be a need to shed some money if NJ expects to land a significant player to fill that role. AND... there's all summer to get this done, it doesn't all have to be done TODAY. People need to be patient and let Fitz try to get something done and not expect him to just throw crazy offers out there that make no sense. Even with this lineup as is, they're probably a 100 point team already.
@THEHOCKEYSKATEDOWNАй бұрын
I agree Walt, this lineup is soo much better than last seasons and is looking like a playoff team, barring any injuries. Love what Fitzgerald did, definitely like you said checked all the boxes
@nickadams6537Ай бұрын
Fitz did not address the biggest issues. He did nothing to solidify the top 6.
@Mooseman327Ай бұрын
Fitzy set himself up by saying that he was going "big-game hunting" this offseason. He missed all his shots at "big game." Came back with a rabbit and a couple of quail. And he still has to get rid of Siegenthaler. C+ so far. This D is not that good if we have to play Dougie, Luke, and Siegenthaler. At least one of them HAS to go. And I'm voting Siegenthaler off the island. Someone wake up Fitzy.
@Christopher_PencАй бұрын
I love all the singings! Tom Fitzgerald did great today!
@THEHOCKEYSKATEDOWNАй бұрын
He did, now get a winger for the top 6 and Tarasenko might be a good fit 🤞
@Mechanicsville804Ай бұрын
I’m glad we didn’t spend big today yet still got exactly what we needed! Great job Fitz, this team is going to be tough next season
@THEHOCKEYSKATEDOWNАй бұрын
Exactly and that's what he wanted was to make it harder to play the devils
@davidchimes3464Ай бұрын
Fitz is giving us a very well balanced team and is not done! We still have the cap to extend Mercer last longer than a Q.O. and add another mid-6 forward for around $4 million. Blueline and Goaltending is looking deep and very complimentary for the foreseeable future from both a depth chart and development pipeline perspective! We'll see who Fitz adds, by this forward group is going to be more balanced than last season, even though the prospect pool and minor league talent is lackluster. Very fine bunch of signings today, did not let himself get caught breaking new ground in salary cap territory in a season where the cap went up and is expected to continue to rise in years to come like some teams did. Good trades and lopsided seeming trades aside thus far needed to get there; he's executed a solid plan that looks great both short term and long term wonderfully.
@THEHOCKEYSKATEDOWNАй бұрын
To add after signing Mercer something substantial to our top 6 will be tough, theres around 6.7 left in cap space, let's see what Fitzgerald can do
@davidchimes3464Ай бұрын
@@THEHOCKEYSKATEDOWN Wouldn't have minded if we got Skinner who was just bought out by Buffalo and signed a great looking 1-year contract at $3 million with Edmonton. That would have been the cherry on top. Skinner (33) is still capable of scoring 30+ goals as a winger for Jack. He may have just really wanted to play with Edmonton. He's more comfortable on the right side, relies on off-wing sniping, which would have likely consigned Mercer to the third line for another season (not unreasonable). Noesen can play either wing but is more 3rd line than 2nd line but more 2nd line than overpaid Palat. Would have loved Skinner for a year. I'm fine we didn't over chase Marchessault. $5.5 is not a bad cap hit for him at all and could see him reproducing a 40 goal career year playing with Jack. But, Marchessault is 33 and have to give him the same 7-year deal (with some trade protection) that Nashville gave him. So Fitz is protecting the future figuring that we have enough game breaking talent (Dougie, Jack, Timo) and balance (goaltending, proven defenders, and muscle) to still be a legit cup threat this season. Tomas Tatar is unsigned. He's also 33 and his production slowed down but would not carry a big cap hit. This could actually happen and leave us space for deadline moves if Fitz can't land someone better.
I hope Hatakka gets some playing time this year, I liked what I saw from him last season
@jhoff1234Ай бұрын
Dougie with Dillon, Nemec with Siegs. Dougie needs a physical partner, that has been proven throughout his career.
@deansmith6593Ай бұрын
Like the additions so far. Addressing the poor defense, goal keeping and softness of last season. Cannot wait until October. Lets Go Devils!
@THEHOCKEYSKATEDOWNАй бұрын
Exactly Dean he addressed the needs we needed to, still has to get 1 more winger, well see
@chriswilson4980Ай бұрын
Solid signings. They lost the biggest prize in kovolev but Dillon was second best hitting Sasquatch out there. Pesce I don’t like as much but he is a shutdown blueliner so will have to do, he wanted to play here and his dad made this happen. Noesen is a great add for hitting, size and violence Very solid day
@THEHOCKEYSKATEDOWNАй бұрын
Solid signings by Fitz, were going to be harder to play against by a far margin
@joshjoseph7628Ай бұрын
Love these signings
@THEHOCKEYSKATEDOWNАй бұрын
Me too Josh, Fitzy did good
@AndrewRadziewiczАй бұрын
Great signings. You think we’ll bring back Tomas Tatar? He’s could fill a similar role to Holtz? What do you think?
@THEHOCKEYSKATEDOWNАй бұрын
It's possible, there's not much cap left, 6.7 million in cap space and Mercer will take up a good chunk of that, well see what Fitzgerald does
@MalMilliganАй бұрын
Henrique signed with Edmonton. Yeah a radical new and improved look for our D. I'd like to see the difference in weight for the top 6... lol. Stamkos was probably way too expensive for us at 8 to 9 million per year and looking for a long term contract even though he's already 34. His productivity is still very high... 40 goals last year. He's definately a future Hall of Famer at a mind blowing 555 goals already... but... we have hungry kids to feed. Like Luke Hughes might get 8 to 9 million for an 8 year deal and Mercer will get a big contract also. I agree this was a good day for Fitzie, but I still hold him largely responsible for last season's dismal results. Marchessault would have been a good catch for the left side also but there are still a few good options remaining I hope. I still think he should buyout Palat or trade him and retain 50% salary.
@NicovertimeАй бұрын
Sorry to lose out on March but can't wait to see the guys we did get 😊 Necas and Tarasenko still out there 😮 LFGD 💥
@THEHOCKEYSKATEDOWNАй бұрын
Necas were not going to be in on, but Tarasenko is still a possibility but I feel like him buying a new home in Florida that he wants to stay there. Watch him sign somewhere closer for dirt cheap
@alexrusso7517Ай бұрын
Good signings for us and what we need . Def lost out last min on Marchy which sucks but there might be a trade still. Stammer for 8 mil just isn’t happening
@jhoff1234Ай бұрын
Would have had to give Stamkos 10 MILLION a year to match what Nashville gave him once you factor the income taxes into the equation.
@ciscokid1999Ай бұрын
I guess Fitz thinks big game hunting is actually quail hunting......oh well.
@celluloidtherapy5003Ай бұрын
We didn’t land any big fish, but overall I think it’s a bit disappointing. AI’ve got Siegenthaler on a VERY short leash, and am all for getting rid of him if he’s stinking the place up after 20 games. I’m also a bit concerned with the fact that other GM’s walk in at the last minute, and grab guys who we think we have close to signing. Stamps, or Marchessault would have been KILLER additions to the club. We’re STILL lacking the top-6 player from the wish list.
@chriswilson4980Ай бұрын
Money makes that happen. It’s what happens.
@celluloidtherapy5003Ай бұрын
@@chriswilson4980 I fully understand that, but I would guess that the offer wasn’t a significant amount of money. If they were seriously considering signing here, the money must have been agreeable in the first place. Maybe it was LESS money, but they felt a more realistic chance at winning a cup someplace else. I guess my speculation is that, maybe it’s an overall *culture* issue with NJ. Maybe TF is a serious micro-manager, and it’s “OK, we’ll sign, but if another club makes an offer, we’re outta here” scenario.
@devilsfan23Ай бұрын
@@celluloidtherapy5003 Not sure about culture, i think being in a low income state tax makes a huge difference to non low income tax states which sucks.
@Cape-DwellerАй бұрын
@@devilsfan23 I don’t think we should underestimate that. (taxes)
@jhoff1234Ай бұрын
@@Cape-Dweller it's ALL about the taxes. And Nashville is a pretty hot place to be.
@michaels7134Ай бұрын
With all due respect, Luke Hughes was garbage defensively, last year. He should be on the 3rd pairing and the 2nd PP. Are Devil's fans gonna turn on him next summer when he comes of his elc and wants $9 million per?
@deansmith6593Ай бұрын
Had too much ice time and responsibility for a rookie, and still got nominated for the Calder. Luke will have a better partner defensively and continue to develop. Ever hear of the term, "rookie mistake"?
@michaels7134Ай бұрын
@@deansmith6593 First off, Luke was nominated for the Calder for his OFFENSIVE skills, I said DEFENSIVELY he was garbage... and he was. Secondly, he was a minus 25....Luke single handedly lost the Devils 3 games that I can think of off the top of my head with bizarre/inexplicable passes to the other team in front of our net that they scored on. Third, by the end of the season, he looked shell shocked any time a fore checker came in and hit him into boards. The kid needs to bulk up. Off course he is a rookie, and some of these concerns will work themselves out naturally. But his agent has already said Luke is looking for a Jack type deal next year....8x8 or 9....and there is NO WAY in hell that kid deserves 8 or 9 million dollars a year.
@deansmith6593Ай бұрын
@@michaels7134 What part of rookie do you not understand?
@michaels7134Ай бұрын
@@deansmith6593so Mr. Know-it-all, are you gonna pay Luke Hughes 8-9 million dollars next year, given his performance, so far? Please, enlighten us!
@THEHOCKEYSKATEDOWNАй бұрын
It was his first year, Luke did make A lot of bad plays out there, but its part of the learning curve. Hell get better this year having that year under his belt
@TimFrith24Ай бұрын
Perhaps the Devils would sign Kevin Labanc from the Sharks and trade Dougie Hamilton, Jake Allen, Nathan Bastian, Nolan Foote, and 2026 1st- and 5th-rounders to the Jets for Vezina Trophy winner Connor Hellebuyck and top prospect Rutger McGroarty.
@Mechanicsville804Ай бұрын
Lol you must be a jests fan
@TimFrith24Ай бұрын
@@Mechanicsville804 Nah!
@nickadams6537Ай бұрын
Another disappointing day from Fitz. I love the emphasis on getting 80 extra depth defensemen & bottom 6 forwards. Just leave the massive hole in the top 6 though. That isn't important. I have no interest in seeing Palat or Mercer in the top 6. They don't belong there. There was a lot of talk about big game hunting. Fitz did not deliver. Anyone surprised at this point?
@THEHOCKEYSKATEDOWNАй бұрын
Tried with Marchessault and Stamkos, but they decided to sign with Nashville. Still Skinner, Tarasenko, Henrique left or maybe he goes the trade route. Alot of time left until October
@raidersacdc4892Ай бұрын
Mercer has the ability to be a 30 goal scorer.
@Mooseman327Ай бұрын
@@THEHOCKEYSKATEDOWN Henrique is all that's left and he's not a top 6 forward. "Tried" is Fitzy's middle name.
@yoholmes273Ай бұрын
FIRE Tom Fitzgerald immediately 🔥 This team is going nowhere with these potato-cans & nobodies. TRASH 🗑
@chriswilson4980Ай бұрын
Trolls should not be allowed today
@deansmith6593Ай бұрын
You complained all last season the team was not good enough defensively and too soft(with good reason). They improve on those areas with the new additions, why are you complaining?
@Mechanicsville804Ай бұрын
He did great today, didn’t over spend got what we need (defensive defenseman, and tough guys)