August 6, 2025 • 49 mins
Is there a world where this team is a Stanley Cup contender?
By Sam Woo and Nick Villano
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https://pucksandpitchforks.com
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By Sam Woo and Nick Villano
http://JoinOurCrew.com
https://pucksandpitchforks.com
https://www.LetsGoDevils.com
RATE, REVIEW, AND SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lets-go-devils-podcast/id1371371669 #NJDevils #NHL #LetsGoDevils #LGD #Devils #NewJersey #NCAA #AHL
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/let-s-go-devils-podcast--2862943/support.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:19):
Happy Devils Wednesday. This is the State of the Fan Address,
Episode three zero nine, Yes nine as in niner. Are
you talking on al walkie talkie? I'm your host, Sam
wou here with Bucks and pitchforks dot COM's editor in
chief Nick Milano, streaming live on Facebook Live, YouTube Live,
(00:44):
x live, and Twitch on the Let's Go Devil's Network
cove me a Live live, but the primetime radio studios
in North and South Jersey bunkers talking a little bit
about Devil's Hockey. There's lots to talk about you, even
though it is August six, twenty twenty five. So what
(01:06):
are we talking about, Nick? You're telling me some stuff
off air that you want to get off your chest.
Speaker 2 (01:14):
Well, let's start with mister Bratt. We got we got
some listen. Every year in August when there's nothing to
talk about, NTL Network does the rankings, position by position,
and usually Devil's fans are mad about it because our
(01:35):
guys are usually perennially over underrated. Usually Jack Hughes doesn't
make the top ten centers sometimes which when he's at
his best, which makes no sense, or he's not high enough.
The Devil's wingers never make the list, which is usually
asked nine, it's a top twenty. You know, it's not
a top ten, top ten. I canna understand the argument,
but top twenty, like it always is asked nine. Defenseman
(02:00):
never get there just to goalie. I can understand they
you know, most years we don't really have that, but
you know, and Niko Heasher is always parenially underrated on
these lists. Well, this year, Mama, I made it. The
list came out for wingers today, Sam jess for Bratt,
(02:20):
twelve on the list. He's ahead. And now you're probably like,
twelve's that's too low, But like, let me tell you
the names that he beat. Mister mister goalscorer himself, Alexevechkin.
He's ahead of a Vetchkin. He's ahead of Jason Robertson,
the guy you all want, you're begging for Jason Robertson
(02:42):
to come to the Devils. Jesper Brat's ahead of him,
just for Brats, ahead of Brandon Hegel of the Tampa Lightning,
the man with the second best contract in the NHL,
Mister Brandon Hegel, Devil's just for Brats ahead of him.
And and here's the one, Sam, number thirteen on the
(03:03):
list getting people hot. People were hot about it because
jessper Brett is ranked the head of Brady Kodchuck, and
people are losing their minds, Sam. They're all up in
these comment sections yelling and screaming and show me where
(03:25):
Kachuck is better. He's a better, great guy, I guess,
but we just which which break Brady Matthew's better than him.
I'm not, yeah, I'm not. Matthew is one of the
best players in the league. I'm not even like we're
I'm not gonna homerism this one. I think it's about right,
you know. I think twelfth is about where you want him.
(03:46):
Want to see Bratt because I think that's where he lands.
Bratt has driven lines no matter where he's gone in
the line up. He's often the best guy in the ice.
He's he's just a savant with the talking stick, and
he finds the open man. He turns his passes into goals.
He sets the stage from the neutral zone. He does
(04:08):
a lot of really great things, and his skating is superb.
Skates through the defense all the time, makes the best plays.
And again, like his scoring is not worry. I would
hope it is that the only thing I wish was
a little bit better, which she was closer to, like
a thirty goal scorer. But it's just not kind of
his game. But that's okay. You know, maybe you'll get there,
maybe he won't. But right now, he's the only player
(04:32):
in the league with eighty points and eighty hits, you know,
and I know what you're saying, where it's like, those
aren't the hits that you get from Brady Kuchuk. Okay,
I guess, but like the stats are the stats, Like
I have to go by what the stats are saying.
The stats are saying that he is the only player
in the league that is eighty points and eighty hits,
And we look at Brady Kuchuk, Bray Kuchuk at fifty
(04:55):
nine points last year, like like Brad is world's better
than him offensively. And Hegel, I think is a great player.
We won't try to take anything right from Hegel, but
you gotta make hard choices on these lists, and I
just think Bratt is better. I wouldn't trade Bratt for
Bandon Hegel, even even with their disparage differences in the contract.
(05:15):
I would trade Bratt for for Kachuk. I would trade
a lot for Kachuk. I would give Mercer nemets and
two first round picks for Kachuk. I think Kachuk's a
really good player that fits exactly what this team needs.
But it's because you already have Bratt. Having Bratt on
this team is why you need a guy like Kachuk,
(05:37):
right if you if you trade Bratt for Kachuk, then
you're missing the brat guy, the points accumulator. So I
look at this list, I'm like, okay, and then I
look at the guys ahead of him. You know, number
one on the list is uh Dakita Kutrov, which I
think is is slightly overrated. I think Kutrov is one
(05:59):
of top players in the game, but I would have
him third on this list because number two is David Pasternak.
Number three is Carol Caprizo. Caro Caprizo is apparently going
to be the top the highest paid player in the
in the league in a couple of weeks. And if
he's not, he's not gonna sign. I don't think he's that.
(06:21):
I think Pastor knocket is the best wing on the league.
I think past knock Is has cleared everybody. He proved
it this year with how he played on that bum
Bruins team. And then you got Miko Ranton and Mitch Marner,
William Leelander, Matthew Kachuck. I think Kachuck should be four.
I would put Matthew Kachuck ahead of rant In, ahead
of Marner and ahead of Nilander. Then you know Sam
(06:44):
Ryan Hart, Kyle Connor or Tammy Panerin. I'm kind of
fine where everybody is there. And then I had the
only other guy ahead of Bratt is Jake Denzel, which
it's fine. I think they're very comparable players, Genseil Bratt.
If you want to say that Gensil's a hair ahead
(07:06):
of Bratt, I'm fine with that, which is basically what
this list is saying. But what's your initial reaction that's say,
and what's your initial reaction to where they have Bratt ranked.
Speaker 1 (07:17):
I think it's pretty accurate. I don't have a problem
with it at all.
Speaker 2 (07:23):
I don't.
Speaker 1 (07:23):
I think what I want to know is who puts
these rankings together? Producers, interns.
Speaker 2 (07:32):
Ah. I'm assuming it's an accumulation, okay, where you get
like twenty guys who work on ancial network to do
their top twenty and then there's like a point system
kind of thing. Yeah, but I would tell you how
I did. I don't know that for sure, but that's
(07:53):
because nobody. I don't think there's anybody's name attached to it.
Like it's not like Mike Rupp's Top twenty or like
top twenty. Well, yeah, so I assume it's all the guys.
Speaker 1 (08:06):
And this is based on regular season. I mean, since
since Bratt has gotten that big contract, that extension, he's
been good. He's been real good.
Speaker 2 (08:21):
Yeah, be his past season. Yeah. And you know the.
Speaker 1 (08:26):
Fear was would he regress? He hasn't. He hadn't.
Speaker 2 (08:31):
He's gotten better.
Speaker 1 (08:32):
He's gotten better. Yeah, So you have to be happy
as a double fan because remember, he wanted a little
bit more than what he got. But in the end,
Tom Fitzgerald just stuck it out and then Ratt probably
came back to Earth in reality a couple of years ago,
signs that contract and has been worth every penny since then.
Speaker 2 (08:57):
Yeah. I remember. And and this is the the warning
I sent to the people who hate on Dawson Mercer,
because I said, I think Brad Mercer have a similar trajectory.
I think Bratt is just a better overall talent. So
there's there's a stealing there for Mercer that that Brat's
gonna exceed. But we had a lot of people when
(09:19):
when Bratt was having those forty point seasons, even though
some of them were a pandemic shortened, but still they
were like he wasn't hitting a point per game, but
there was something there that you could see like, okay,
like there's a player there, you just have to kind
of unlock him. And now he's completely unlocked. You know.
I think he's he's an eighty to one hundred point
player for the rest of his career. I don't think
(09:41):
he's ever going to hit like one hundred and twenty
because again, I think his goal scoring is too weak
to get there.
Speaker 1 (09:47):
I mean, who really hits one hundred and twenty. That's
the New Jersey Devil.
Speaker 2 (09:52):
I mean, well, nobody's in New Jersey. Deal. It's never happened,
never hit one hundred. Yeah, this is a different team obviously,
Like this is did Bratt? What did Bratt end up
with last year?
Speaker 1 (10:06):
A lot of assists, That's what I remember. I don't
have the exact stats in front of me, but I'll
take a look along with you.
Speaker 2 (10:13):
Okay, right now. He had eighty eight and I remember
he fell off, but again he had twenty one goals,
and again, ideally I want him to be closer to thirty.
He'd sixty seven assists. I think he was. I think
he was number one amongst wingers for assists. Like sixty
(10:33):
seven is a psychotic number. But if you want this
guy to be one hundred point scorer, I just think
he got to get thirty five forty goals and he's
he's only done that once. He did then twenty two,
twenty three. What I have to ask Sam, because I've
been looking at the numbers and the numbers from twenty
to twenty three, I don't think we appreciated how psychotic
(10:55):
they were across the board. I think.
Speaker 1 (11:00):
You're are of my opinions. I think it's a little
bit inflated because back in those days, if you remember,
for the first half of the season, the Devils were
playing against backup goaltenders. Nobody took the Devil seriously really,
you know, they were still a young, up and coming team,
unproven all that. If Bratt were to get over one
(11:28):
hundred points, a few things needs to happen. Number One,
he has to be durable, which he has been.
Speaker 2 (11:35):
Number two.
Speaker 1 (11:38):
Jack Hughes has to be durable as well because that
power play, you can get a lot of goals and
a lot of points on that power play, and they
were without Jack Hughes down the stretch. I don't know
if it was good for Brad or bad for Brad,
But you know, I think Brad has potential to hit
(11:59):
that hundred point mark. I think that's insane, but one
hundred points a couple of things need to have, you know.
Speaker 2 (12:10):
It's just the scoring, right, He's he had thirty two
goals in twenty twenty to twenty three, but last year
twenty one, like for having such an insane season. When
you see that number on paper, twenty one goals, I
knee a little bit more out of him. But again,
I think the ranking is exactly where it should be.
(12:33):
I don't think he needs to go higher. I don't
think he's a top ten winger yet. I think you're
gonna see a lot of drop off though, Like I
think panerin with everything happening within with the allegations against him,
and just with the Rangers, Like I I see the
Rangers either figuring their stuff out and getting back into
(12:57):
it or falling off a cliff and selling the farm
like the farm and building this team in Mike Sullivan
Steed and getting out the old the old guard. It's
a banda jad. They've already started by trading Crider this
this offseason. They traded a bunch of other guys Sorrerdy, Truba,
(13:17):
got rid of Gau Dureau, uh Shittle and Cocko. And
like they they've they've gotten rid of from that twenty
to twenty three team they played the Devils in the playoffs.
I think they've gotten rid of at least half the roster.
Speaker 1 (13:33):
Wow.
Speaker 2 (13:34):
And maybe that's like, you know, maybe that's the case
for the Devils too. The Devils have made some big
changes because because from that team, both goals are gone,
Graves and Severson are gone, Bastian's gone, McLeod is gone,
(13:54):
Ball is gone, Sharon Govic is gone, Boquist is gone,
Wazar is gone.
Speaker 1 (14:08):
I don't think he was on that team.
Speaker 2 (14:09):
Was Guitar is gone who I think they traded from
that season, So I think he was on the team
only for like a few games. Because if you remember
that season, like his wife had these terrible complications so
that it was late, but he played in the playoffs
that You're almost positive Hall is gone. What is gone?
(14:37):
Zeedlin's gone, Marino's gone, Brendan Smith is gone, Holtz is gone,
Vana Chick has gone. To both goalies, Hoy Tuck is gone.
Uh no, foot is gone. You know a Kiir Schmied
is gone. Andreas Johnson, which I forgot played for that
team is gone. He was in the team o Myyer
(14:58):
trade though, so he was gone for the playoffs. Black
you know, Blackwood has gone. So the Devils have had
a lot of turnover as well, but it hasn't felt
like the Rangers has it. Has it felt like this
upending of the team, well the Devils.
Speaker 1 (15:19):
Remember there's there's star contrasts. The Devils had their their
their foundational pieces all along, you know with Jack Hughes
and uh Jasper Bratt. You add in Timo Meyer uh
to the mix and then you know, if you want
(15:39):
to say Dougie Hamilton you know from that team. Yeah,
basically the goalies have been revamped. You've got two veteran
goaltenders right now that proved themselves last season uh to
be uh excellent. And the other thing too is uh
(16:01):
you know the Devil's added some youth since then with
Luke Hughes and themag Dawson. Mercer was also on that
team as well in twenty to twenty three. You know so,
but but the Veterans too.
Speaker 2 (16:18):
They added Pesci Dylan, they added oh maeah, well, I
mean like even this offseason they added that enough and Brown.
They added a little youth in Gritsk. I fully expect
Gritsic to make the team. If you haven't seen it,
(16:39):
I found this interview that Gritzic did in Russia with
Sports Express. He revealed that there's an out in his contract,
so the Devils can't really play around with him. If
if they keep him, they can't then what I mean
play around. They can't keep him the h all season.
(16:59):
And I think that's I know when when Dad Andov
did an interview, the Donoff sorry, when the donav did
an interview after he got signed, he said the Devils
haven't talked to him about Gritzick Woul he'd be happy
to out. Well, the conversation might not have happened. I
(17:19):
think the Devils did that for a reason. I don't
think they're gonna bend over backwards to make Gritzick happy.
But I think Gritzick is an important part of this
team if they don't even if they don't know it yet,
I think his skating fits better with the American.
Speaker 1 (17:33):
Yeah, you're putting a lot of stock in this kid,
cause I think he's going to be a bus That's
just my opinion.
Speaker 2 (17:40):
I think you got Goosev fever. I think you're worried
about what happened when they you do Goosev. Right, but
this kid could skate, and Goosev couldn't skate, at least
not at the NHL level. He just he had had
rocks in his feet and I think a lot of
that had to do with with nerves, right. There was
(18:00):
just a lot on the line for him. He was
a guy who was used to excelling and like it
seemed like he was frustrated when it didn't work out.
But I'll tell you this, Sam, I am putting a
out of stock on this kid. One of the reasons
why is because I think you kind of have to
and let me, let me lay out the landscape for you, Sam.
(18:24):
Eight teams in the Eastern Conference made the playoffs last year.
Five of them came from the Atlantic Division. Toronto got worse,
but they won won the Atlantic, so they could lose
ten points and still be a playoff team from their
previous years standings, Florida is just defending Stanley Cup champs.
(18:48):
They are going to be without Matthew Kachuck to start
the season, but they resigned basically everybody else. They still
got a really good team with them. The Lightning got
a little bit better, but they still have a really
good team that's gonna make the playoffs. The Senators made
the playoffs last year and got better this year. They
actually had more points in the Devils at the end
of last season, and the Montreal Canadians got phenomenally better.
(19:09):
Added Barsol, added bowl Duck from from the Blues, so
they You know, you're looking at those five teams, and
again there's always some like craziness that causes a team
that you never expect to miss the playoffs to miss
the playoffs. You saw that with Boston last year. But
I look at the landscape. Then you come over to
(19:32):
the Metropolitan. You know, the Carolina Hurricanes didn't rest on
their laurels. They got elers from Winnipeg. I think Carolina,
I mean, I'm probably gonna get bit in the bub
by saying this, but I think they're as good as
they were last year, even with Elers. I don't think
they're any that much better. May still question marks, but
(19:56):
I think it's pretty They're a pretty good bet that
make the playoff Washington. You know, unless you get some
major regression, which you could maybe without the Alexovechkan Chase,
it's worse. But they got a little bit better this offseason.
They added some pieces, and I love their coach. I
think Spencer Carberry is already one of the best coaches
(20:19):
in the league. That leaves one Eastern Conference playoff spot Sam.
It's in the metro, thankfully, and I don't think Philly
is gonna come anywhere close. I think I think Columbus
is gonna regress this year. I'm not that worried about
the Islanders. I think this is a figured out year
(20:40):
for them under Wah and Matthew darsh And I don't
think Pittsburgh's gonna be competitive. That leaves two teams fighting
for one playoff spot, Sam, that is the Devils and
the Rangers. I think it's gonna come down to the
Devils and the Rangers for that third playoff spot. I
(21:04):
think every point's gonna matter. I I and Sam. I
think it's gonna be one of those years because the Metropolitans.
I think the Metropopolitans is going to be dreadful this year.
It's not gonna be like last year where everybody was
around eighty points and then the top tier teams were
like ninety to one hundred points. I think it's gonna
be like I think Carolina is gonna get a lot
(21:24):
more points even if they're the same team, because I
think I think it's gonna be an easy night against Pittsburgh,
an easy night against Philadelphia. And I think Columbus and
the Islanders are gonna be like middle of the pack teams.
(21:45):
You should be able to beat them on most nights
for your good team. So I think that these teams
are gonna allow you to pack on the points and
maybe that helps. You know, the Rangers and the Devils
against the Atlantic, maybe they will get a wild card
spot as well because of those extra points that you're getting.
Those extra games are getting into the Columbuses and the
(22:06):
New York Islanders and the Pittsburgh's. But I don't know, man,
Like I don't know of those five teams are just mentioned.
I don't know which ones I'm picking them missed the playoffs,
and I didn't mention Boston, but I think it's a
really good team. And obviously Buffalo wants to be good.
I just don't think they are. But they could turn
the corner anytime. They got great young defenseman, great young goalies,
(22:27):
great young forwards like they could turn the turn the
corner any any time. And Detroit, who's desperate to make
the playoffs, who will do desperate things. They could trade
for Jason Robertson, they could trade for you know, I
don't know who else is gonna be open. You know,
Jordan Cairou. You know, they can make the big boy
move and they and they they got John Gibson to
(22:48):
fix their net. That Atlantic is gonna be devastating. They're
gonna beat each other up. But I think five teams
are gonna come out of that. And I think you're
gonna sit here and and it's gonna be we're gonna
do this podcast in March, Sam, and we're gonna be
looking at those three Rangers matchups in March, and they
might decide the playoff spot.
Speaker 1 (23:12):
Well, we better mark this podcast because you never know,
and the march we may be talking about it.
Speaker 2 (23:22):
I I think I just look at it on paper,
and I think there's eight. I think there's I think
there's four great teams in the East, and then six
really good teams are possible, really good teams. I think
(23:43):
the Devil's are in there. I think the Rangers are
in there. I think you know, the great teams I
would put is. I think Washington's gonna be great again.
I think I think Song as a goaltending stay like
stays healthy or doesn't progress miraculously. I think they're gonna
be one hundred to one hundred and fifteen point team somewhere.
Like I know that's a large, wide margin, but either way,
(24:06):
you're making the playoffs. Same for Carolina, one hundred, one
hundred and ten point team, as long as the goaltending
doesn't just completely fall into a crater. And then you
have the Devils and the Rangers, who I think are
ninety to one hundred point teams. But that's that's where
it gets like one hundred to one hundred and ten points.
There's not much of a difference. You're making the playoffs.
(24:27):
Maybe there's like your two seed instead of a three seed.
Ninety to one hundred points is a difference between the
two or three seed and missing the playoffs. So you
know there's a big wide margin there. Are you worried
about it at all? About the team not making the playoffs?
Speaker 1 (24:46):
I worry about that every year, But in a different way.
Speaker 2 (24:52):
Are you worried like looking at it, seeing the pilot
still on this team, seeing that they you know, they
still don't have a a third line center. They might
try mercer at that.
Speaker 1 (25:03):
Again, I'm I'm worried that they don't have the health.
Speaker 2 (25:10):
I mean, but like, can't you say that about every
team every year? You can sort of like Edmonton and
like old school Pittsburgh where if you lost Crosby at
mockin or if you lose Nick David you have dry sidle,
like if Colorado loses McKinnon, like they suck.
Speaker 1 (25:29):
I'm talking about the goaltending, you know. If it's what I.
Speaker 2 (25:34):
Think, that's why I think you can't get rid of
as you just said, to fight the bullet, keep on
the roster.
Speaker 1 (25:40):
You know, it's it's hard to say. I mean, we're
we're still six six eight weeks out, you know, for
you know, the upcoming season. I just think that I'm
not sold on this team. To be honest, I think
(26:01):
I think they're going to be competitive, but like we've
had surprises war Like Washington surprised the heck out of
all of us last season.
Speaker 2 (26:11):
H Washington going to the season.
Speaker 1 (26:16):
I want a recording of that.
Speaker 2 (26:17):
Nick, It's in the It's in the Pucks and Pitchfork
season preview.
Speaker 1 (26:21):
I said, I Yeah.
Speaker 2 (26:26):
Now, I will say I thought they were gonna be
like where the you know, I thought they were going
to be like fighting for the three or fighting for
the wild card. But I I I just really like
Spinser Carbar. I think he's a really good coach, and
you know, I think the Devil's missed out on him
when they you know, I think that the Devils had
(26:48):
a chance to be really bold, and I think our
baseball teams are seeing this same, especially the Yankees. The
Yankees had a chance to do something bold and it
doesn't work out because like, here's the thing, there's an
example for everything in New York sports right now, because
New York Sports is doing everything. You know, you had
the Yankees, who you know, Aaron Boone got a contract
(27:12):
extension after after his World series run. And you have
the Knicks who fired Tom Thibodeau after his Eastern Conference
Final run in you know, and the same thing with
the Devils. I think there's some of the Devils where
they held onto Lindy Roff because he had that phenomenal season,
(27:36):
and I think there was a million excuses as to
why they lost the Hurricanes in round two. So I
think I don't blame Tom Fitzgerald for going back to
Lindy Roff, but he had a chance to be both
because his contract was up. He went into the off
season with no contract and they ended up getting it done.
(27:58):
They figured it out, but it'll be a mistake because
they didn't even last at full right. There was the
next season he got fight right. Yeah, So here's where
I'm at. I think the Devils are gonna make the playoffs.
I think there's a world where they are contenders to
(28:23):
get out of the Metro, meaning that they would go
to the Eastern Conference Finals. I think there's a world
where they are that good with this roster, no trades
in the in the middle of the season, no no moves.
I don't think there's any world where they go beyond that,
And there's any world where they get past the Atlantic Division,
(28:43):
the Lake Division winner. But I think this team held
on to all of its assets, held on to a
lot of the major prospects. How about to Dawson Bercer
(29:04):
because they know that there's a possibility for a big
move during the season, when in the like this was
probably I mean, truthfully, Sam, outside of Marner Eller's, you know,
what was the big move?
Speaker 1 (29:26):
What in the in the metro just no it just in.
Speaker 2 (29:30):
General, who are the big players that I moved this
off season?
Speaker 1 (29:33):
They all went.
Speaker 2 (29:36):
Yeah except for Eler's. Ellers came to Hurricanes. But you know,
like some of the biggest signs, like like Gavrikov in
New York, I think is a good player, but it's
like I don't even know if Gavirikov is better than
Seekin Thaler, you know what I mean. And then Gavrikov
has the makings to turn into Jacob Truva by the
(29:59):
end of that track, Like what Jacob, You know, Jacob
tripp was really good in the beginning of contract and
just regressed immensely.
Speaker 1 (30:07):
I'll tell you there is a path, not a very
good one, but I think there is a path of
the devils against Teley Cup finals. It would have to
be a perfect storm. You want to hear it. Sure,
you know, if they were to get past the first
two rounds, obviously they have to go through probably Carolina
(30:32):
probably in the second round. You would think.
Speaker 2 (30:36):
First or second. It's yeah, one of those two.
Speaker 1 (30:38):
Yeah, one of those two.
Speaker 2 (30:40):
But I think I think Caroline is probably the favorite.
So then you're looking at Washington in the first round. Yeah.
If but.
Speaker 1 (30:50):
Out out in the Atlantic, what if one of those
last wild card teams just happens to get in, just
like how the Florida Panthers a few years ago get
in on the last day of the season and start
ripping it up and has a Cinderella type run and
(31:13):
get themselves in the Eastern Conference finals.
Speaker 2 (31:18):
Could be Yeah. I mean I think Montreal, I think
of Montreal could do that or Montreal. I think Montreal
could do that because Montreal is gonna take some time
to gel. I don't know how I feel about Marty
Saint Louis a coach, yet I think you did a
good job last year. You remember playing Montreal like they
didn't seem like a good team, you know what I mean,
(31:39):
Like something weird happened at the end of the season
where they just put together a really crazy campaign. Yeah.
I mean, listen, I think Montreal could get you know,
get into the wild card and and and you know,
like here's think same is, Like I think Tampa vulnerable.
(32:02):
They've been vulnerable. The Tampa make it out of the
first round last year. No, they lost to Florida, right, yeah,
pretty pretty precipicously. It was like five games, right, yep, Toronto.
I just I don't like what they did. I was
fine with getting rid of martyrk. There's a time where
you just have to say goodbye, even though it's a
(32:24):
good player. You know, they end up getting what Nicholas
roy in return. Okay, sure, I I don't know, if
you know, I think they could have moneyballed it. We're
like all right, like you know when when the main
premise of moneyball is that they lost Jason Giambi and
(32:45):
they had to replace Jason Giamby, like, well, you're you're
not gonna get a guy who hits forty home runs,
one hundred RBIs and hits three ten But if you
count his total bases and you replace those, you know,
then you can. I just don't think the least did that.
I think they could have. You'll get three guys for
(33:05):
that eleven million who do what Marner does and spread
them throughout the lineup. I don't think they did that.
I don't think they got good enough from that. And
they're like, I look at their rosters same, they're so
top heavy, So I think that they're vulnerable too. So
I do think it could happen. I think if Montreal
gets hot, I think it could be Ottawa, but I
(33:27):
think it's more likely to be Montreal, just because Montreal
kind of has a little bit of moxy. But if
Montreal gets hot beats I guess in the scenario, Florida
is the number one seed, which seems unlikely with ka
Chuck hurts so long, But any of these teams can
be the number one seed. Let's say it's it's Tampa.
Tampa gets the number one seed, I think that they're
(33:50):
vulnerable to get beat by Montreal. I then Montreal plays
the winner of Florida and Toronto. I think Florida would
win that, especially if they have Kachuck healthy. But I
said this to you. Remember was last week of the
week before I covered that Tampa Bay Lightning team that
(34:11):
went to back to back to back Stanley Cup Final.
That's what we don't talk about. That they went to
three in a row. They talk about a little bit
just because Florida just did it, But we don't talk
about the one they lost. We talk about the two
in a row they won. But you play the same
amount of games usually when you win or you lose,
right like Stanley Cup Finals still happened. They've been out
(34:35):
of gas since then. You run out of gas when
you're playing one hundred games a year for the next year,
and then you know, you hear the story that Matthew
Kuchuk delayed a surgery so you get married, and like,
good for him for having the gravitas to be able
to make that demand. But he's not gonna be one
hundred percent. First of all, he's returning for the Olympics.
(34:57):
That sounds insane. I don't know. I can't say there's
anyway it's gonna one hundred percent of the Olympics, but whatever.
Ignoring that for a second, I think that ka Chuk
and the in Florida is vulnerable and then you're you're
the devils. I think they could be Carolina. It's currently constructed.
(35:17):
They be Carolina. I think they could be Washington as
currently constructed. I think they could beat Montreal, even a
hot Montreal. You know, uh, what's his name? No, Dobson's
playing out of his mind. Lane Hudson's getting empty. Cali
points left and right. You know, you got a really
(35:39):
you know ere of Sefkowski finally turns into something a
little bit better than what he's been so far. Cole
Calfield scores forty goals. Nick Suzuki plays as well as
Niko heisher that like his ceiling. Yeah, if you get
(36:01):
all that, I think that they can get hot and
get the East Conference Final. But I think the Devils
can beat them too, So I think I think there
is a path to get to the uh to the
Stanley Cup Final. Alaask go right. Jacob Markstrom has to
be great. Jack Hughes has to stay healthy. That's number
one and number two in my opinion, those are the
two most important things you have to have a great
(36:23):
season from Jacob Markstrom. You have to have a healthy
Jack Hughes And the rest of the stuff is. You know,
I need Covid Savage to play just as well as
he did in the first heading. I need Luke Hughes
to take three steps forward three. I think that he
did so many great things last year, but in the aggregate,
(36:46):
it wasn't a good enough season for the contract he's
about to demand. I need Nemets to be an everyday player,
and you'll figure that out with the COVID savage thing later.
He needs to be an everyday player and needs to
be good, and you need to find a third winger.
(37:07):
You got Tima Meyer and jessper Bratt. Who's your third
top six winger. I think you can survive with one
who's variable, whether it's a Nason who's there for one
specific thing, or a pilot who's there for kind of
just those moments where he could be you know, I
think of that time. Help me. You're gonna have to
(37:27):
help me out with the sam. Do you remember the
game where Plot stole the puck at the entry line.
They were still in the offensive zone. They lost a puck.
One of the guys on the other team try to
cross ice pass. Plot came up, stole it, had to
take away, handed it to Hughes. I think it was
a tic tac to play for a Brat goal. Do
(37:49):
you know which one I'm talking about was it like
when he first came to the team or was this
last year?
Speaker 1 (37:56):
No, this was last season, I vaguely remember.
Speaker 2 (38:00):
Anyway, he can make those plays still, they're just so,
they're just inconsistent, and he makes just as big a
mistakes at this point. But let's say you get a
fifteen goal forty point performance for Pilot. You could survive
with one of those guys in your top six. But
(38:21):
you need either you know you said I was hiding Gritzick.
You either need Gritzick to be got off the bat,
which I think is unlikely. I think you really want
him to be a third line scorer, or you need
Dawson Mercer to be what he was supposed to be
last year. Dawson Mercer was supposed to take a step
to the sixty to seven point plateau last year and
he just did. You need that to happen this year,
(38:43):
and that needs to be the consistent player that he is.
I think he has the talent to do it. I
think you had a lot of trouble with childon Q system.
I think an off season to really like bang into
the uh to the tape, I think you can do it.
You know, I've been somebody who's really high in Paul
Cotter done a ton of research on it. I don't
(39:06):
know if he I don't know if he has the
capability to do it, he has the talent to do it,
or maybe he has a capability. It's the best way
I can put it without insulting him. So I think
your options are down to two. You know, I don't
really want Connor Brown there, I don't really want. I
(39:28):
don't even know who's an option right Like, who else
would even be an option at that point? I think
they try Connor Brown. Maybe they do Brian hallan In,
maybe Brian hallend and takes three steps forward. I don't know, Nick,
(39:51):
I gave you a lot of options. I think that
training camp is going to be so interesting. I'm really
excited for it. Next month I write an article about it.
Speaker 1 (40:00):
I think he is Luke Hughes right now.
Speaker 2 (40:03):
He ask me, yeah, his contract or just his progression.
Speaker 1 (40:09):
All the above?
Speaker 2 (40:10):
Sure? Yeah, would you uh? Would you lose your mind
if he signed a two year contract?
Speaker 1 (40:25):
Mmm? No, I would not lose my mind.
Speaker 2 (40:33):
Because here's the thing is that don't worry with a
one year contract. If you're like, let's just like table list.
Let's get you into the door. Let's get you into
the sale camp for now. Revisit this next year is
that the Canucks still have Quinn Hughes and they could
do something stupid but put the Devil's in a really
bad spot, like sign Luke Hughes for a fourteen million
(40:54):
dollar contract right now. If you give them two years
like Quen Hues as a free agent, and you can
kind of connect their contracts a little bit more, so
I could see it happening. I wouldn't love it, especially
because if you sign a two year contract, you know
(41:19):
then you're definitely under the new CBA. I will say, Sam,
I am now confused about when some of the contract
rules for the new CBA go into effect because the CBA,
I just I found this sign on the thirty two
Thoughts podcast. CBA starts September fifteenth, not July first, So
(41:44):
I'm not sure if you can sign Lucues to a
one year deal and then extend them for eight years
in January, or if that has to be seven as
part of the new CBA that I don't know that
I've been trying to find the answer and there's nothing
that's clear. So I know I've said before that he
(42:06):
don't be able to sign a seven year deal after
this year. That is now unclear. So I apologize that
turned out to not be true. But you know, the
cbas are complicated. I got, I got, I got doozied.
Speaker 1 (42:24):
I'll tell you what if if I were Luke Hughes,
I would sign an eight year deal now if the
Devils were going to offer it, only because I think
he may be injury prone just like Jack.
Speaker 2 (42:40):
I mean maybe, but he's bigger than Jack.
Speaker 1 (42:45):
Yeah, but they still both of them have shoulder issues.
Speaker 2 (42:50):
Ironically, what was Quinn Hughes's injury last year?
Speaker 1 (42:56):
Wasn't sorry, Quinn, sorry? He said Quinn, I don't remember.
Speaker 2 (43:04):
The one that made him missed the Four Nations. I
can't remember what it was that was the shoulder that.
Then I'd actually be worried. I'm not usually like a
big fans, because again I want to remind people this
year's the was it last year? The one where he
fell on the ice. That was a worrisome injury because
(43:25):
it was self inflicted. He just fell on the ice
and hurt his shoulder. I that was the one that
was worrisome, the one from last this past season, the
one where Jack Eichel dirtily hit him, and yes, I
just made up the word dirtily. He dirtily hit him,
(43:48):
He tripped him up and sent them flying to the
boards at full speed.
Speaker 1 (43:52):
Uh.
Speaker 2 (43:54):
I have trouble like blaming him for I think if
if it happened to brand Marshan or Sydney Crosby or
Economic David, I think they're all going to get shoulder injuries,
so you know, maybe they don't get knocked out for
the season, which is why I you know, and that
was the thing it happening. When it happened, he was
(44:15):
actually got out of the brace pretty quick and he's
been able to build some muscle, which is what he's
been trying to do the past couple offseasons, but injuries
have kind of hurt that approach. This season. This offseason
has been different, so, you know, I agree with you.
There's a lot of concern with luke Hu's the contract,
the injury, the the making the leap. You know, how
(44:40):
does he fit in Sholdinku system systems. Hard had to
be the right type of player to fit in it.
And I saw, like I think Sam, the defense was
really good last year, so I think it masked a
lot of it. But there were moments where Brett PATCHI
had trouble with it and didn't know the decision he
was supposed to make. It seemed it seemed I don't
(45:03):
want to speak for him, but I think that led
to a lot of the troubles with getting the puck
out of the defensive zone. Was people just trying to
remember what they were supposed to do in ChIL the
system because it's complicated. Brendan Dillon the same thing, and
they're on new teams, so I I my My point
that I'm making here is I don't think that's gonna
be a problem this year. I think they're gonna be
(45:24):
much better getting the puck out of their own zone.
And with that, Luke he is gonna have the confidence
to escape the puck out of the of the zone
on his own again and do what he's best at.
So I think he's gonna have a better season.
Speaker 1 (45:39):
Well, I sure hope so.
Speaker 2 (45:41):
Nick.
Speaker 1 (45:43):
By the way, speculation was Quinn Hughes had a lower body.
Speaker 2 (45:50):
That was but speculation, Yeah, sure, yeah, I just I
thought it with lower body, But I wanted to see
if anybody remember if it was a shoulder or out. Yeah,
here's here's the deal. I think the Devils are built
to sustain, but they're also sam built to make a trade.
(46:15):
This is a team that just like they had a
similar situation when they got Timo Meyer, this is a
team with a clear need and the assets to make
it happen. And I don't see why they couldn't do
it again. I think that's why you make a deal
(46:38):
for like a Shanela Chance, where you take on salary
you can get a free prospect. Shanela Chance is a
guy that like a Ducks or a you know, a
Red Wings, somebody like that could want, you know, and
you not that they'd be the the you know. It's
(46:59):
like Hi Tuck. You know, it's he's not the guy
you're gonna build a trade around, but edding him in
has a lot of value. I think getting prospects like
that really puts you over the top when you're competing
against other teams for these star players. I think there's
a reason why Tom Fitzgerald said that Shane let Chance
(47:23):
is going to compete for a roster spot, and it's
not because I think he thinks he's gonna compete for
a roster spot. But that's just me. Well anyway, dougs. Yeah,
we're gonna have a lot of articles on this, just
(47:43):
for Bratt ranking, just because I think there's a lot there.
John Bailey is writing the news story right now. I
think I'm gonna write just the dichotomy of him and
BRADYAK because I just think it's interesting. I wrote five
contract comparables to Uh Luke ues that that both the
devils and Luke you should use. That includes no adoptson
(48:07):
UH and obviously brock favor favor. I think both of
those are great comparators to Look, here's what it's gonna
take to get it done. Yeah, listen, I I we
have an article on Ilie Kobochuk and and how he
could retire soon. So if you want the details on that,
go to Buckspatricks dot com. We're gonna have a lot
(48:29):
more articles. We're gonna have articles all day all night.
I'll be writing a couple after this podcast, definitely the
one on on Brady Kachuk and and Jasper Bratt, but
also I don't know, I have a couple in my
head that I just have to decide which one I
really Oh, it's Arina week and fancided, So we're gonna
(48:49):
have a couple of stories on the Credential Center, including
the story of how they almost moved to Hobo again.
Speaker 1 (48:57):
Oh yeah, I can't wait to read it on and
pitchforks dot com.
Speaker 2 (49:01):
Yeah, that's coming this week. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (49:04):
I remember when that rendering came out. I was like, wow,
that really looks.
Speaker 2 (49:08):
Like a barn.
Speaker 1 (49:10):
Yeah, it look it really and then you see the
New York City skyline in the background across the river.
Speaker 2 (49:18):
Yeah, I think it was. It was buying a little
too much into the New York City aspect of it.
So I'm kind of happy I never happened. Also, hope
it's like further from a lot of us.
Speaker 1 (49:30):
Yeah, yep. All right. Well, I'd like to thank all
those tuning in dropping the podcast at midnight. We'll see
you next week. Till next time, let's go Devils.
Happy Devils Wednesday. This is the State of the Fan Address,
Episode three zero nine, Yes nine as in niner. Are
you talking on al walkie talkie? I'm your host, Sam
wou here with Bucks and pitchforks dot COM's editor in
chief Nick Milano, streaming live on Facebook Live, YouTube Live,
(00:44):
x live, and Twitch on the Let's Go Devil's Network
cove me a Live live, but the primetime radio studios
in North and South Jersey bunkers talking a little bit
about Devil's Hockey. There's lots to talk about you, even
though it is August six, twenty twenty five. So what
(01:06):
are we talking about, Nick? You're telling me some stuff
off air that you want to get off your chest.
Speaker 2 (01:14):
Well, let's start with mister Bratt. We got we got
some listen. Every year in August when there's nothing to
talk about, NTL Network does the rankings, position by position,
and usually Devil's fans are mad about it because our
(01:35):
guys are usually perennially over underrated. Usually Jack Hughes doesn't
make the top ten centers sometimes which when he's at
his best, which makes no sense, or he's not high enough.
The Devil's wingers never make the list, which is usually
asked nine, it's a top twenty. You know, it's not
a top ten, top ten. I canna understand the argument,
but top twenty, like it always is asked nine. Defenseman
(02:00):
never get there just to goalie. I can understand they
you know, most years we don't really have that, but
you know, and Niko Heasher is always parenially underrated on
these lists. Well, this year, Mama, I made it. The
list came out for wingers today, Sam jess for Bratt,
(02:20):
twelve on the list. He's ahead. And now you're probably like,
twelve's that's too low, But like, let me tell you
the names that he beat. Mister mister goalscorer himself, Alexevechkin.
He's ahead of a Vetchkin. He's ahead of Jason Robertson,
the guy you all want, you're begging for Jason Robertson
(02:42):
to come to the Devils. Jesper Brat's ahead of him,
just for Brats, ahead of Brandon Hegel of the Tampa Lightning,
the man with the second best contract in the NHL,
Mister Brandon Hegel, Devil's just for Brats ahead of him.
And and here's the one, Sam, number thirteen on the
(03:03):
list getting people hot. People were hot about it because
jessper Brett is ranked the head of Brady Kodchuck, and
people are losing their minds, Sam. They're all up in
these comment sections yelling and screaming and show me where
(03:25):
Kachuck is better. He's a better, great guy, I guess,
but we just which which break Brady Matthew's better than him.
I'm not, yeah, I'm not. Matthew is one of the
best players in the league. I'm not even like we're
I'm not gonna homerism this one. I think it's about right,
you know. I think twelfth is about where you want him.
(03:46):
Want to see Bratt because I think that's where he lands.
Bratt has driven lines no matter where he's gone in
the line up. He's often the best guy in the ice.
He's he's just a savant with the talking stick, and
he finds the open man. He turns his passes into goals.
He sets the stage from the neutral zone. He does
(04:08):
a lot of really great things, and his skating is superb.
Skates through the defense all the time, makes the best plays.
And again, like his scoring is not worry. I would
hope it is that the only thing I wish was
a little bit better, which she was closer to, like
a thirty goal scorer. But it's just not kind of
his game. But that's okay. You know, maybe you'll get there,
maybe he won't. But right now, he's the only player
(04:32):
in the league with eighty points and eighty hits, you know,
and I know what you're saying, where it's like, those
aren't the hits that you get from Brady Kuchuk. Okay,
I guess, but like the stats are the stats, Like
I have to go by what the stats are saying.
The stats are saying that he is the only player
in the league that is eighty points and eighty hits,
And we look at Brady Kuchuk, Bray Kuchuk at fifty
(04:55):
nine points last year, like like Brad is world's better
than him offensively. And Hegel, I think is a great player.
We won't try to take anything right from Hegel, but
you gotta make hard choices on these lists, and I
just think Bratt is better. I wouldn't trade Bratt for
Bandon Hegel, even even with their disparage differences in the contract.
(05:15):
I would trade Bratt for for Kachuk. I would trade
a lot for Kachuk. I would give Mercer nemets and
two first round picks for Kachuk. I think Kachuk's a
really good player that fits exactly what this team needs.
But it's because you already have Bratt. Having Bratt on
this team is why you need a guy like Kachuk,
(05:37):
right if you if you trade Bratt for Kachuk, then
you're missing the brat guy, the points accumulator. So I
look at this list, I'm like, okay, and then I
look at the guys ahead of him. You know, number
one on the list is uh Dakita Kutrov, which I
think is is slightly overrated. I think Kutrov is one
(05:59):
of top players in the game, but I would have
him third on this list because number two is David Pasternak.
Number three is Carol Caprizo. Caro Caprizo is apparently going
to be the top the highest paid player in the
in the league in a couple of weeks. And if
he's not, he's not gonna sign. I don't think he's that.
(06:21):
I think Pastor knocket is the best wing on the league.
I think past knock Is has cleared everybody. He proved
it this year with how he played on that bum
Bruins team. And then you got Miko Ranton and Mitch Marner,
William Leelander, Matthew Kachuck. I think Kachuck should be four.
I would put Matthew Kachuck ahead of rant In, ahead
of Marner and ahead of Nilander. Then you know Sam
(06:44):
Ryan Hart, Kyle Connor or Tammy Panerin. I'm kind of
fine where everybody is there. And then I had the
only other guy ahead of Bratt is Jake Denzel, which
it's fine. I think they're very comparable players, Genseil Bratt.
If you want to say that Gensil's a hair ahead
(07:06):
of Bratt, I'm fine with that, which is basically what
this list is saying. But what's your initial reaction that's say,
and what's your initial reaction to where they have Bratt ranked.
Speaker 1 (07:17):
I think it's pretty accurate. I don't have a problem
with it at all.
Speaker 2 (07:23):
I don't.
Speaker 1 (07:23):
I think what I want to know is who puts
these rankings together? Producers, interns.
Speaker 2 (07:32):
Ah. I'm assuming it's an accumulation, okay, where you get
like twenty guys who work on ancial network to do
their top twenty and then there's like a point system
kind of thing. Yeah, but I would tell you how
I did. I don't know that for sure, but that's
(07:53):
because nobody. I don't think there's anybody's name attached to it.
Like it's not like Mike Rupp's Top twenty or like
top twenty. Well, yeah, so I assume it's all the guys.
Speaker 1 (08:06):
And this is based on regular season. I mean, since
since Bratt has gotten that big contract, that extension, he's
been good. He's been real good.
Speaker 2 (08:21):
Yeah, be his past season. Yeah. And you know the.
Speaker 1 (08:26):
Fear was would he regress? He hasn't. He hadn't.
Speaker 2 (08:31):
He's gotten better.
Speaker 1 (08:32):
He's gotten better. Yeah, So you have to be happy
as a double fan because remember, he wanted a little
bit more than what he got. But in the end,
Tom Fitzgerald just stuck it out and then Ratt probably
came back to Earth in reality a couple of years ago,
signs that contract and has been worth every penny since then.
Speaker 2 (08:57):
Yeah. I remember. And and this is the the warning
I sent to the people who hate on Dawson Mercer,
because I said, I think Brad Mercer have a similar trajectory.
I think Bratt is just a better overall talent. So
there's there's a stealing there for Mercer that that Brat's
gonna exceed. But we had a lot of people when
(09:19):
when Bratt was having those forty point seasons, even though
some of them were a pandemic shortened, but still they
were like he wasn't hitting a point per game, but
there was something there that you could see like, okay,
like there's a player there, you just have to kind
of unlock him. And now he's completely unlocked. You know.
I think he's he's an eighty to one hundred point
player for the rest of his career. I don't think
(09:41):
he's ever going to hit like one hundred and twenty
because again, I think his goal scoring is too weak
to get there.
Speaker 1 (09:47):
I mean, who really hits one hundred and twenty. That's
the New Jersey Devil.
Speaker 2 (09:52):
I mean, well, nobody's in New Jersey. Deal. It's never happened,
never hit one hundred. Yeah, this is a different team obviously,
Like this is did Bratt? What did Bratt end up
with last year?
Speaker 1 (10:06):
A lot of assists, That's what I remember. I don't
have the exact stats in front of me, but I'll
take a look along with you.
Speaker 2 (10:13):
Okay, right now. He had eighty eight and I remember
he fell off, but again he had twenty one goals,
and again, ideally I want him to be closer to thirty.
He'd sixty seven assists. I think he was. I think
he was number one amongst wingers for assists. Like sixty
(10:33):
seven is a psychotic number. But if you want this
guy to be one hundred point scorer, I just think
he got to get thirty five forty goals and he's
he's only done that once. He did then twenty two,
twenty three. What I have to ask Sam, because I've
been looking at the numbers and the numbers from twenty
to twenty three, I don't think we appreciated how psychotic
(10:55):
they were across the board. I think.
Speaker 1 (11:00):
You're are of my opinions. I think it's a little
bit inflated because back in those days, if you remember,
for the first half of the season, the Devils were
playing against backup goaltenders. Nobody took the Devil seriously really,
you know, they were still a young, up and coming team,
unproven all that. If Bratt were to get over one
(11:28):
hundred points, a few things needs to happen. Number One,
he has to be durable, which he has been.
Speaker 2 (11:35):
Number two.
Speaker 1 (11:38):
Jack Hughes has to be durable as well because that
power play, you can get a lot of goals and
a lot of points on that power play, and they
were without Jack Hughes down the stretch. I don't know
if it was good for Brad or bad for Brad,
But you know, I think Brad has potential to hit
(11:59):
that hundred point mark. I think that's insane, but one
hundred points a couple of things need to have, you know.
Speaker 2 (12:10):
It's just the scoring, right, He's he had thirty two
goals in twenty twenty to twenty three, but last year
twenty one, like for having such an insane season. When
you see that number on paper, twenty one goals, I
knee a little bit more out of him. But again,
I think the ranking is exactly where it should be.
(12:33):
I don't think he needs to go higher. I don't
think he's a top ten winger yet. I think you're
gonna see a lot of drop off though, Like I
think panerin with everything happening within with the allegations against him,
and just with the Rangers, Like I I see the
Rangers either figuring their stuff out and getting back into
(12:57):
it or falling off a cliff and selling the farm
like the farm and building this team in Mike Sullivan
Steed and getting out the old the old guard. It's
a banda jad. They've already started by trading Crider this
this offseason. They traded a bunch of other guys Sorrerdy, Truba,
(13:17):
got rid of Gau Dureau, uh Shittle and Cocko. And
like they they've they've gotten rid of from that twenty
to twenty three team they played the Devils in the playoffs.
I think they've gotten rid of at least half the roster.
Speaker 1 (13:33):
Wow.
Speaker 2 (13:34):
And maybe that's like, you know, maybe that's the case
for the Devils too. The Devils have made some big
changes because because from that team, both goals are gone,
Graves and Severson are gone, Bastian's gone, McLeod is gone,
(13:54):
Ball is gone, Sharon Govic is gone, Boquist is gone,
Wazar is gone.
Speaker 1 (14:08):
I don't think he was on that team.
Speaker 2 (14:09):
Was Guitar is gone who I think they traded from
that season, So I think he was on the team
only for like a few games. Because if you remember
that season, like his wife had these terrible complications so
that it was late, but he played in the playoffs
that You're almost positive Hall is gone. What is gone?
(14:37):
Zeedlin's gone, Marino's gone, Brendan Smith is gone, Holtz is gone,
Vana Chick has gone. To both goalies, Hoy Tuck is gone.
Uh no, foot is gone. You know a Kiir Schmied
is gone. Andreas Johnson, which I forgot played for that
team is gone. He was in the team o Myyer
(14:58):
trade though, so he was gone for the playoffs. Black
you know, Blackwood has gone. So the Devils have had
a lot of turnover as well, but it hasn't felt
like the Rangers has it. Has it felt like this
upending of the team, well the Devils.
Speaker 1 (15:19):
Remember there's there's star contrasts. The Devils had their their
their foundational pieces all along, you know with Jack Hughes
and uh Jasper Bratt. You add in Timo Meyer uh
to the mix and then you know, if you want
(15:39):
to say Dougie Hamilton you know from that team. Yeah,
basically the goalies have been revamped. You've got two veteran
goaltenders right now that proved themselves last season uh to
be uh excellent. And the other thing too is uh
(16:01):
you know the Devil's added some youth since then with
Luke Hughes and themag Dawson. Mercer was also on that
team as well in twenty to twenty three. You know so,
but but the Veterans too.
Speaker 2 (16:18):
They added Pesci Dylan, they added oh maeah, well, I
mean like even this offseason they added that enough and Brown.
They added a little youth in Gritsk. I fully expect
Gritsic to make the team. If you haven't seen it,
(16:39):
I found this interview that Gritzic did in Russia with
Sports Express. He revealed that there's an out in his contract,
so the Devils can't really play around with him. If
if they keep him, they can't then what I mean
play around. They can't keep him the h all season.
(16:59):
And I think that's I know when when Dad Andov
did an interview, the Donoff sorry, when the donav did
an interview after he got signed, he said the Devils
haven't talked to him about Gritzick Woul he'd be happy
to out. Well, the conversation might not have happened. I
(17:19):
think the Devils did that for a reason. I don't
think they're gonna bend over backwards to make Gritzick happy.
But I think Gritzick is an important part of this
team if they don't even if they don't know it yet,
I think his skating fits better with the American.
Speaker 1 (17:33):
Yeah, you're putting a lot of stock in this kid,
cause I think he's going to be a bus That's
just my opinion.
Speaker 2 (17:40):
I think you got Goosev fever. I think you're worried
about what happened when they you do Goosev. Right, but
this kid could skate, and Goosev couldn't skate, at least
not at the NHL level. He just he had had
rocks in his feet and I think a lot of
that had to do with with nerves, right. There was
(18:00):
just a lot on the line for him. He was
a guy who was used to excelling and like it
seemed like he was frustrated when it didn't work out.
But I'll tell you this, Sam, I am putting a
out of stock on this kid. One of the reasons
why is because I think you kind of have to
and let me, let me lay out the landscape for you, Sam.
(18:24):
Eight teams in the Eastern Conference made the playoffs last year.
Five of them came from the Atlantic Division. Toronto got worse,
but they won won the Atlantic, so they could lose
ten points and still be a playoff team from their
previous years standings, Florida is just defending Stanley Cup champs.
(18:48):
They are going to be without Matthew Kachuck to start
the season, but they resigned basically everybody else. They still
got a really good team with them. The Lightning got
a little bit better, but they still have a really
good team that's gonna make the playoffs. The Senators made
the playoffs last year and got better this year. They
actually had more points in the Devils at the end
of last season, and the Montreal Canadians got phenomenally better.
(19:09):
Added Barsol, added bowl Duck from from the Blues, so
they You know, you're looking at those five teams, and
again there's always some like craziness that causes a team
that you never expect to miss the playoffs to miss
the playoffs. You saw that with Boston last year. But
I look at the landscape. Then you come over to
(19:32):
the Metropolitan. You know, the Carolina Hurricanes didn't rest on
their laurels. They got elers from Winnipeg. I think Carolina,
I mean, I'm probably gonna get bit in the bub
by saying this, but I think they're as good as
they were last year, even with Elers. I don't think
they're any that much better. May still question marks, but
(19:56):
I think it's pretty They're a pretty good bet that
make the playoff Washington. You know, unless you get some
major regression, which you could maybe without the Alexovechkan Chase,
it's worse. But they got a little bit better this offseason.
They added some pieces, and I love their coach. I
think Spencer Carberry is already one of the best coaches
(20:19):
in the league. That leaves one Eastern Conference playoff spot Sam.
It's in the metro, thankfully, and I don't think Philly
is gonna come anywhere close. I think I think Columbus
is gonna regress this year. I'm not that worried about
the Islanders. I think this is a figured out year
(20:40):
for them under Wah and Matthew darsh And I don't
think Pittsburgh's gonna be competitive. That leaves two teams fighting
for one playoff spot, Sam, that is the Devils and
the Rangers. I think it's gonna come down to the
Devils and the Rangers for that third playoff spot. I
(21:04):
think every point's gonna matter. I I and Sam. I
think it's gonna be one of those years because the Metropolitans.
I think the Metropopolitans is going to be dreadful this year.
It's not gonna be like last year where everybody was
around eighty points and then the top tier teams were
like ninety to one hundred points. I think it's gonna
be like I think Carolina is gonna get a lot
(21:24):
more points even if they're the same team, because I
think I think it's gonna be an easy night against Pittsburgh,
an easy night against Philadelphia. And I think Columbus and
the Islanders are gonna be like middle of the pack teams.
(21:45):
You should be able to beat them on most nights
for your good team. So I think that these teams
are gonna allow you to pack on the points and
maybe that helps. You know, the Rangers and the Devils
against the Atlantic, maybe they will get a wild card
spot as well because of those extra points that you're getting.
Those extra games are getting into the Columbuses and the
(22:06):
New York Islanders and the Pittsburgh's. But I don't know, man,
Like I don't know of those five teams are just mentioned.
I don't know which ones I'm picking them missed the playoffs,
and I didn't mention Boston, but I think it's a
really good team. And obviously Buffalo wants to be good.
I just don't think they are. But they could turn
the corner anytime. They got great young defenseman, great young goalies,
(22:27):
great young forwards like they could turn the turn the
corner any any time. And Detroit, who's desperate to make
the playoffs, who will do desperate things. They could trade
for Jason Robertson, they could trade for you know, I
don't know who else is gonna be open. You know,
Jordan Cairou. You know, they can make the big boy
move and they and they they got John Gibson to
(22:48):
fix their net. That Atlantic is gonna be devastating. They're
gonna beat each other up. But I think five teams
are gonna come out of that. And I think you're
gonna sit here and and it's gonna be we're gonna
do this podcast in March, Sam, and we're gonna be
looking at those three Rangers matchups in March, and they
might decide the playoff spot.
Speaker 1 (23:12):
Well, we better mark this podcast because you never know,
and the march we may be talking about it.
Speaker 2 (23:22):
I I think I just look at it on paper,
and I think there's eight. I think there's I think
there's four great teams in the East, and then six
really good teams are possible, really good teams. I think
(23:43):
the Devil's are in there. I think the Rangers are
in there. I think you know, the great teams I
would put is. I think Washington's gonna be great again.
I think I think Song as a goaltending stay like
stays healthy or doesn't progress miraculously. I think they're gonna
be one hundred to one hundred and fifteen point team somewhere.
Like I know that's a large, wide margin, but either way,
(24:06):
you're making the playoffs. Same for Carolina, one hundred, one
hundred and ten point team, as long as the goaltending
doesn't just completely fall into a crater. And then you
have the Devils and the Rangers, who I think are
ninety to one hundred point teams. But that's that's where
it gets like one hundred to one hundred and ten points.
There's not much of a difference. You're making the playoffs.
(24:27):
Maybe there's like your two seed instead of a three seed.
Ninety to one hundred points is a difference between the
two or three seed and missing the playoffs. So you
know there's a big wide margin there. Are you worried
about it at all? About the team not making the playoffs?
Speaker 1 (24:46):
I worry about that every year, But in a different way.
Speaker 2 (24:52):
Are you worried like looking at it, seeing the pilot
still on this team, seeing that they you know, they
still don't have a a third line center. They might
try mercer at that.
Speaker 1 (25:03):
Again, I'm I'm worried that they don't have the health.
Speaker 2 (25:10):
I mean, but like, can't you say that about every
team every year? You can sort of like Edmonton and
like old school Pittsburgh where if you lost Crosby at
mockin or if you lose Nick David you have dry sidle,
like if Colorado loses McKinnon, like they suck.
Speaker 1 (25:29):
I'm talking about the goaltending, you know. If it's what I.
Speaker 2 (25:34):
Think, that's why I think you can't get rid of
as you just said, to fight the bullet, keep on
the roster.
Speaker 1 (25:40):
You know, it's it's hard to say. I mean, we're
we're still six six eight weeks out, you know, for
you know, the upcoming season. I just think that I'm
not sold on this team. To be honest, I think
(26:01):
I think they're going to be competitive, but like we've
had surprises war Like Washington surprised the heck out of
all of us last season.
Speaker 2 (26:11):
H Washington going to the season.
Speaker 1 (26:16):
I want a recording of that.
Speaker 2 (26:17):
Nick, It's in the It's in the Pucks and Pitchfork
season preview.
Speaker 1 (26:21):
I said, I Yeah.
Speaker 2 (26:26):
Now, I will say I thought they were gonna be
like where the you know, I thought they were going
to be like fighting for the three or fighting for
the wild card. But I I I just really like
Spinser Carbar. I think he's a really good coach, and
you know, I think the Devil's missed out on him
when they you know, I think that the Devils had
(26:48):
a chance to be really bold, and I think our
baseball teams are seeing this same, especially the Yankees. The
Yankees had a chance to do something bold and it
doesn't work out because like, here's the thing, there's an
example for everything in New York sports right now, because
New York Sports is doing everything. You know, you had
the Yankees, who you know, Aaron Boone got a contract
(27:12):
extension after after his World series run. And you have
the Knicks who fired Tom Thibodeau after his Eastern Conference
Final run in you know, and the same thing with
the Devils. I think there's some of the Devils where
they held onto Lindy Roff because he had that phenomenal season,
(27:36):
and I think there was a million excuses as to
why they lost the Hurricanes in round two. So I
think I don't blame Tom Fitzgerald for going back to
Lindy Roff, but he had a chance to be both
because his contract was up. He went into the off
season with no contract and they ended up getting it done.
(27:58):
They figured it out, but it'll be a mistake because
they didn't even last at full right. There was the
next season he got fight right. Yeah, So here's where
I'm at. I think the Devils are gonna make the playoffs.
I think there's a world where they are contenders to
(28:23):
get out of the Metro, meaning that they would go
to the Eastern Conference Finals. I think there's a world
where they are that good with this roster, no trades
in the in the middle of the season, no no moves.
I don't think there's any world where they go beyond that,
And there's any world where they get past the Atlantic Division,
(28:43):
the Lake Division winner. But I think this team held
on to all of its assets, held on to a
lot of the major prospects. How about to Dawson Bercer
(29:04):
because they know that there's a possibility for a big
move during the season, when in the like this was
probably I mean, truthfully, Sam, outside of Marner Eller's, you know,
what was the big move?
Speaker 1 (29:26):
What in the in the metro just no it just in.
Speaker 2 (29:30):
General, who are the big players that I moved this
off season?
Speaker 1 (29:33):
They all went.
Speaker 2 (29:36):
Yeah except for Eler's. Ellers came to Hurricanes. But you know,
like some of the biggest signs, like like Gavrikov in
New York, I think is a good player, but it's
like I don't even know if Gavirikov is better than
Seekin Thaler, you know what I mean. And then Gavrikov
has the makings to turn into Jacob Truva by the
(29:59):
end of that track, Like what Jacob, You know, Jacob
tripp was really good in the beginning of contract and
just regressed immensely.
Speaker 1 (30:07):
I'll tell you there is a path, not a very
good one, but I think there is a path of
the devils against Teley Cup finals. It would have to
be a perfect storm. You want to hear it. Sure,
you know, if they were to get past the first
two rounds, obviously they have to go through probably Carolina
(30:32):
probably in the second round. You would think.
Speaker 2 (30:36):
First or second. It's yeah, one of those two.
Speaker 1 (30:38):
Yeah, one of those two.
Speaker 2 (30:40):
But I think I think Caroline is probably the favorite.
So then you're looking at Washington in the first round. Yeah.
If but.
Speaker 1 (30:50):
Out out in the Atlantic, what if one of those
last wild card teams just happens to get in, just
like how the Florida Panthers a few years ago get
in on the last day of the season and start
ripping it up and has a Cinderella type run and
(31:13):
get themselves in the Eastern Conference finals.
Speaker 2 (31:18):
Could be Yeah. I mean I think Montreal, I think
of Montreal could do that or Montreal. I think Montreal
could do that because Montreal is gonna take some time
to gel. I don't know how I feel about Marty
Saint Louis a coach, yet I think you did a
good job last year. You remember playing Montreal like they
didn't seem like a good team, you know what I mean,
(31:39):
Like something weird happened at the end of the season
where they just put together a really crazy campaign. Yeah.
I mean, listen, I think Montreal could get you know,
get into the wild card and and and you know,
like here's think same is, Like I think Tampa vulnerable.
(32:02):
They've been vulnerable. The Tampa make it out of the
first round last year. No, they lost to Florida, right, yeah,
pretty pretty precipicously. It was like five games, right, yep, Toronto.
I just I don't like what they did. I was
fine with getting rid of martyrk. There's a time where
you just have to say goodbye, even though it's a
(32:24):
good player. You know, they end up getting what Nicholas
roy in return. Okay, sure, I I don't know, if
you know, I think they could have moneyballed it. We're
like all right, like you know when when the main
premise of moneyball is that they lost Jason Giambi and
(32:45):
they had to replace Jason Giamby, like, well, you're you're
not gonna get a guy who hits forty home runs,
one hundred RBIs and hits three ten But if you
count his total bases and you replace those, you know,
then you can. I just don't think the least did that.
I think they could have. You'll get three guys for
(33:05):
that eleven million who do what Marner does and spread
them throughout the lineup. I don't think they did that.
I don't think they got good enough from that. And
they're like, I look at their rosters same, they're so
top heavy, So I think that they're vulnerable too. So
I do think it could happen. I think if Montreal
gets hot, I think it could be Ottawa, but I
(33:27):
think it's more likely to be Montreal, just because Montreal
kind of has a little bit of moxy. But if
Montreal gets hot beats I guess in the scenario, Florida
is the number one seed, which seems unlikely with ka
Chuck hurts so long, But any of these teams can
be the number one seed. Let's say it's it's Tampa.
Tampa gets the number one seed, I think that they're
(33:50):
vulnerable to get beat by Montreal. I then Montreal plays
the winner of Florida and Toronto. I think Florida would
win that, especially if they have Kachuck healthy. But I
said this to you. Remember was last week of the
week before I covered that Tampa Bay Lightning team that
(34:11):
went to back to back to back Stanley Cup Final.
That's what we don't talk about. That they went to
three in a row. They talk about a little bit
just because Florida just did it, But we don't talk
about the one they lost. We talk about the two
in a row they won. But you play the same
amount of games usually when you win or you lose,
right like Stanley Cup Finals still happened. They've been out
(34:35):
of gas since then. You run out of gas when
you're playing one hundred games a year for the next year,
and then you know, you hear the story that Matthew
Kuchuk delayed a surgery so you get married, and like,
good for him for having the gravitas to be able
to make that demand. But he's not gonna be one
hundred percent. First of all, he's returning for the Olympics.
(34:57):
That sounds insane. I don't know. I can't say there's
anyway it's gonna one hundred percent of the Olympics, but whatever.
Ignoring that for a second, I think that ka Chuk
and the in Florida is vulnerable and then you're you're
the devils. I think they could be Carolina. It's currently constructed.
(35:17):
They be Carolina. I think they could be Washington as
currently constructed. I think they could beat Montreal, even a
hot Montreal. You know, uh, what's his name? No, Dobson's
playing out of his mind. Lane Hudson's getting empty. Cali
points left and right. You know, you got a really
(35:39):
you know ere of Sefkowski finally turns into something a
little bit better than what he's been so far. Cole
Calfield scores forty goals. Nick Suzuki plays as well as
Niko heisher that like his ceiling. Yeah, if you get
(36:01):
all that, I think that they can get hot and
get the East Conference Final. But I think the Devils
can beat them too, So I think I think there
is a path to get to the uh to the
Stanley Cup Final. Alaask go right. Jacob Markstrom has to
be great. Jack Hughes has to stay healthy. That's number
one and number two in my opinion, those are the
two most important things you have to have a great
(36:23):
season from Jacob Markstrom. You have to have a healthy
Jack Hughes And the rest of the stuff is. You know,
I need Covid Savage to play just as well as
he did in the first heading. I need Luke Hughes
to take three steps forward three. I think that he
did so many great things last year, but in the aggregate,
(36:46):
it wasn't a good enough season for the contract he's
about to demand. I need Nemets to be an everyday player,
and you'll figure that out with the COVID savage thing later.
He needs to be an everyday player and needs to
be good, and you need to find a third winger.
(37:07):
You got Tima Meyer and jessper Bratt. Who's your third
top six winger. I think you can survive with one
who's variable, whether it's a Nason who's there for one
specific thing, or a pilot who's there for kind of
just those moments where he could be you know, I
think of that time. Help me. You're gonna have to
(37:27):
help me out with the sam. Do you remember the
game where Plot stole the puck at the entry line.
They were still in the offensive zone. They lost a puck.
One of the guys on the other team try to
cross ice pass. Plot came up, stole it, had to
take away, handed it to Hughes. I think it was
a tic tac to play for a Brat goal. Do
(37:49):
you know which one I'm talking about was it like
when he first came to the team or was this
last year?
Speaker 1 (37:56):
No, this was last season, I vaguely remember.
Speaker 2 (38:00):
Anyway, he can make those plays still, they're just so,
they're just inconsistent, and he makes just as big a
mistakes at this point. But let's say you get a
fifteen goal forty point performance for Pilot. You could survive
with one of those guys in your top six. But
(38:21):
you need either you know you said I was hiding Gritzick.
You either need Gritzick to be got off the bat,
which I think is unlikely. I think you really want
him to be a third line scorer, or you need
Dawson Mercer to be what he was supposed to be
last year. Dawson Mercer was supposed to take a step
to the sixty to seven point plateau last year and
he just did. You need that to happen this year,
(38:43):
and that needs to be the consistent player that he is.
I think he has the talent to do it. I
think you had a lot of trouble with childon Q system.
I think an off season to really like bang into
the uh to the tape, I think you can do it.
You know, I've been somebody who's really high in Paul
Cotter done a ton of research on it. I don't
(39:06):
know if he I don't know if he has the
capability to do it, he has the talent to do it,
or maybe he has a capability. It's the best way
I can put it without insulting him. So I think
your options are down to two. You know, I don't
really want Connor Brown there, I don't really want. I
(39:28):
don't even know who's an option right Like, who else
would even be an option at that point? I think
they try Connor Brown. Maybe they do Brian hallan In,
maybe Brian hallend and takes three steps forward. I don't know, Nick,
(39:51):
I gave you a lot of options. I think that
training camp is going to be so interesting. I'm really
excited for it. Next month I write an article about it.
Speaker 1 (40:00):
I think he is Luke Hughes right now.
Speaker 2 (40:03):
He ask me, yeah, his contract or just his progression.
Speaker 1 (40:09):
All the above?
Speaker 2 (40:10):
Sure? Yeah, would you uh? Would you lose your mind
if he signed a two year contract?
Speaker 1 (40:25):
Mmm? No, I would not lose my mind.
Speaker 2 (40:33):
Because here's the thing is that don't worry with a
one year contract. If you're like, let's just like table list.
Let's get you into the door. Let's get you into
the sale camp for now. Revisit this next year is
that the Canucks still have Quinn Hughes and they could
do something stupid but put the Devil's in a really
bad spot, like sign Luke Hughes for a fourteen million
(40:54):
dollar contract right now. If you give them two years
like Quen Hues as a free agent, and you can
kind of connect their contracts a little bit more, so
I could see it happening. I wouldn't love it, especially
because if you sign a two year contract, you know
(41:19):
then you're definitely under the new CBA. I will say, Sam,
I am now confused about when some of the contract
rules for the new CBA go into effect because the CBA,
I just I found this sign on the thirty two
Thoughts podcast. CBA starts September fifteenth, not July first, So
(41:44):
I'm not sure if you can sign Lucues to a
one year deal and then extend them for eight years
in January, or if that has to be seven as
part of the new CBA that I don't know that
I've been trying to find the answer and there's nothing
that's clear. So I know I've said before that he
(42:06):
don't be able to sign a seven year deal after
this year. That is now unclear. So I apologize that
turned out to not be true. But you know, the
cbas are complicated. I got, I got, I got doozied.
Speaker 1 (42:24):
I'll tell you what if if I were Luke Hughes,
I would sign an eight year deal now if the
Devils were going to offer it, only because I think
he may be injury prone just like Jack.
Speaker 2 (42:40):
I mean maybe, but he's bigger than Jack.
Speaker 1 (42:45):
Yeah, but they still both of them have shoulder issues.
Speaker 2 (42:50):
Ironically, what was Quinn Hughes's injury last year?
Speaker 1 (42:56):
Wasn't sorry, Quinn, sorry? He said Quinn, I don't remember.
Speaker 2 (43:04):
The one that made him missed the Four Nations. I
can't remember what it was that was the shoulder that.
Then I'd actually be worried. I'm not usually like a
big fans, because again I want to remind people this
year's the was it last year? The one where he
fell on the ice. That was a worrisome injury because
(43:25):
it was self inflicted. He just fell on the ice
and hurt his shoulder. I that was the one that
was worrisome, the one from last this past season, the
one where Jack Eichel dirtily hit him, and yes, I
just made up the word dirtily. He dirtily hit him,
(43:48):
He tripped him up and sent them flying to the
boards at full speed.
Speaker 1 (43:52):
Uh.
Speaker 2 (43:54):
I have trouble like blaming him for I think if
if it happened to brand Marshan or Sydney Crosby or
Economic David, I think they're all going to get shoulder injuries,
so you know, maybe they don't get knocked out for
the season, which is why I you know, and that
was the thing it happening. When it happened, he was
(44:15):
actually got out of the brace pretty quick and he's
been able to build some muscle, which is what he's
been trying to do the past couple offseasons, but injuries
have kind of hurt that approach. This season. This offseason
has been different, so, you know, I agree with you.
There's a lot of concern with luke Hu's the contract,
the injury, the the making the leap. You know, how
(44:40):
does he fit in Sholdinku system systems. Hard had to
be the right type of player to fit in it.
And I saw, like I think Sam, the defense was
really good last year, so I think it masked a
lot of it. But there were moments where Brett PATCHI
had trouble with it and didn't know the decision he
was supposed to make. It seemed it seemed I don't
(45:03):
want to speak for him, but I think that led
to a lot of the troubles with getting the puck
out of the defensive zone. Was people just trying to
remember what they were supposed to do in ChIL the
system because it's complicated. Brendan Dillon the same thing, and
they're on new teams, so I I my My point
that I'm making here is I don't think that's gonna
be a problem this year. I think they're gonna be
(45:24):
much better getting the puck out of their own zone.
And with that, Luke he is gonna have the confidence
to escape the puck out of the of the zone
on his own again and do what he's best at.
So I think he's gonna have a better season.
Speaker 1 (45:39):
Well, I sure hope so.
Speaker 2 (45:41):
Nick.
Speaker 1 (45:43):
By the way, speculation was Quinn Hughes had a lower body.
Speaker 2 (45:50):
That was but speculation, Yeah, sure, yeah, I just I
thought it with lower body, But I wanted to see
if anybody remember if it was a shoulder or out. Yeah,
here's here's the deal. I think the Devils are built
to sustain, but they're also sam built to make a trade.
(46:15):
This is a team that just like they had a
similar situation when they got Timo Meyer, this is a
team with a clear need and the assets to make
it happen. And I don't see why they couldn't do
it again. I think that's why you make a deal
(46:38):
for like a Shanela Chance, where you take on salary
you can get a free prospect. Shanela Chance is a
guy that like a Ducks or a you know, a
Red Wings, somebody like that could want, you know, and
you not that they'd be the the you know. It's
(46:59):
like Hi Tuck. You know, it's he's not the guy
you're gonna build a trade around, but edding him in
has a lot of value. I think getting prospects like
that really puts you over the top when you're competing
against other teams for these star players. I think there's
a reason why Tom Fitzgerald said that Shane let Chance
(47:23):
is going to compete for a roster spot, and it's
not because I think he thinks he's gonna compete for
a roster spot. But that's just me. Well anyway, dougs. Yeah,
we're gonna have a lot of articles on this, just
(47:43):
for Bratt ranking, just because I think there's a lot there.
John Bailey is writing the news story right now. I
think I'm gonna write just the dichotomy of him and
BRADYAK because I just think it's interesting. I wrote five
contract comparables to Uh Luke ues that that both the
devils and Luke you should use. That includes no adoptson
(48:07):
UH and obviously brock favor favor. I think both of
those are great comparators to Look, here's what it's gonna
take to get it done. Yeah, listen, I I we
have an article on Ilie Kobochuk and and how he
could retire soon. So if you want the details on that,
go to Buckspatricks dot com. We're gonna have a lot
(48:29):
more articles. We're gonna have articles all day all night.
I'll be writing a couple after this podcast, definitely the
one on on Brady Kachuk and and Jasper Bratt, but
also I don't know, I have a couple in my
head that I just have to decide which one I
really Oh, it's Arina week and fancided, So we're gonna
(48:49):
have a couple of stories on the Credential Center, including
the story of how they almost moved to Hobo again.
Speaker 1 (48:57):
Oh yeah, I can't wait to read it on and
pitchforks dot com.
Speaker 2 (49:01):
Yeah, that's coming this week. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (49:04):
I remember when that rendering came out. I was like, wow,
that really looks.
Speaker 2 (49:08):
Like a barn.
Speaker 1 (49:10):
Yeah, it look it really and then you see the
New York City skyline in the background across the river.
Speaker 2 (49:18):
Yeah, I think it was. It was buying a little
too much into the New York City aspect of it.
So I'm kind of happy I never happened. Also, hope
it's like further from a lot of us.
Speaker 1 (49:30):
Yeah, yep. All right. Well, I'd like to thank all
those tuning in dropping the podcast at midnight. We'll see
you next week. Till next time, let's go Devils.
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