It gives some hope going forward but I feel like the justification for every player on this team who underperforms relative to expectations is always chalked up to poor puck luck or a season with percentages below career averages. Either the Rock is built on top of an indian burial ground or they really need to figure out why the coaching staff can't get more out of this roster.
Guy might not fit on the team in 2 years, Mcloud would. 3rd line winger or 4th line center that is 3.5 years younger with more team control who is cheap.
Unless Fitz sign's another forward for next season that qualifies I think Miles wood has to be left off too. The Devils need to expose two forwards under contract for next season and the five the Devils have after Hischier, Johnsson, Bratt, Wood, Zacha. Out of those three I pick Hischier, Bratt, and Zacha.
AJ Hive stand up
MangoSZN
It gives some hope going forward but I feel like the justification for every player on this team who underperforms relative to expectations is always chalked up to poor puck luck or a season with percentages below career averages. Either the Rock is built on top of an indian burial ground or they really need to figure out why the coaching staff can't get more out of this roster.
Holtz's stats haven't been great, how is he playing?
Going to Protect (6): Nico Hischier, Jesper Bratt, Pavel Zacha, Yegor Sharangovich, Janne Kuokkanen, Miles Wood
Final Forward Spot to Protect (Pick 1): Andreas Johnsson, Michael McLeod, or Nathan Bastian
Johnsson 100 times out of 100.
Guy might not fit on the team in 2 years, Mcloud would. 3rd line winger or 4th line center that is 3.5 years younger with more team control who is cheap.
I'm with Geoff, McLeod is the guy you protect in this situation.
Don't waste a protection spot on a bottom 6 forward
Unless Fitz sign's another forward for next season that qualifies I think Miles wood has to be left off too. The Devils need to expose two forwards under contract for next season and the five the Devils have after Hischier, Johnsson, Bratt, Wood, Zacha. Out of those three I pick Hischier, Bratt, and Zacha.
We'll just extend Bastian, it'll be fine.