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

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.

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

They did have chemistry, but that other side hopefully they can get someone instead of using palat or haula there

@@THEHOCKEYSKATEDOWN Just WHO, exactly? Fitzy missed on everybody.

@@Mooseman327tarasenko!!!

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

Fitz did not address the biggest issues. He did nothing to solidify the top 6.

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.

Exactly and that's what he wanted was to make it harder to play the devils

He did, now get a winger for the top 6 and Tarasenko might be a good fit 🤞

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

I hope Hatakka gets some playing time this year, I liked what I saw from him last season

Dougie with Dillon, Nemec with Siegs. Dougie needs a physical partner, that has been proven throughout his career.

Exactly Dean he addressed the needs we needed to, still has to get 1 more winger, well see

Solid signings by Fitz, were going to be harder to play against by a far margin

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

@@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.

Me too Josh, Fitzy did good

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

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.

Money makes that happen. It’s what happens.

@@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.

@@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.

@@devilsfan23 I don’t think we should underestimate that. (taxes)

@@Cape-Dweller it's ALL about the taxes. And Nashville is a pretty hot place to be.

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"?

@@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.

@@michaels7134 What part of rookie do you not understand?

​​​@@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!

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

Lol you must be a jests fan

@@Mechanicsville804 Nah!

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

Mercer has the ability to be a 30 goal scorer.

@@THEHOCKEYSKATEDOWN Henrique is all that's left and he's not a top 6 forward. "Tried" is Fitzy's middle name.

Trolls should not be allowed today

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?

He did great today, didn’t over spend got what we need (defensive defenseman, and tough guys)

WOW.. addressing everything they need. 👍🏼