Anyone paying attention knew this Devils team needed some changes early on. In no particular order on ice we needed, a quality goalie, some tough veteran defensemen, bigger defensive forwards, and a HC that does NOT run a country club atmosphere.
Poor management has done NOTHING and thrown away a whole year. To make matters WORSE, this young team has developed traits that stop capable teams of ever winning anything meaningful!
Look at today's game, I would have thought the tired team would be Tampa. After all they are the veteran team, on the road, where many players have already won Cup's. We got to see a lifeless, tired, and slow Devils team that showed they want to play golf when the playoffs begin. The Devils managed just 7 hits ALL game. Routinely failed to backcheck or win puck battles. Tampa turned up the physicality and the Devils wilted.
I have already posted where I would start, bye Fitz and Ruff. However there is more to do.
1) think critically, and don't just do the expected. Everyone knows Toffoli is most likely our best trade bait. I like him, and would like him back in the off-season, if possible. I would also trade some of the other usual suspects like Smith for picks or size.
However look deeper. Seamus Casey is a top prospect, but built like Will Butcher, too small IMO. Trade him while his value is high. Now we have too many smaller scoring forwards who are streaky. I say pick at least one, say Bratt because Nico and Jack I can't even see, AND GET a legitimate A+ haul for him. This is the only way to reconfigure the organization! Get rid of smaller finesse players.
2) Since our cap is better after this year, Trade Palat to a play-off team that would want his clutch veteran leadership. The right team who hasn't won in awhile, maybe even NYR should make it worth it because I would retain 50% of the contract to get the value. Palat hasn't fit in, and isn't any different than others if we can't get to the playoffs. Trade any player who looks like they are not consistently playing hard, on the coach's film.
3) Lastly I'm not sure we have a young future stud goalie in the organization. Even if we trade for Saros, the Devils must find a young goalie to takeover after Saros if I'm correct, like I sadly believe.
ENJOY our victory!!!