If you can acquire Nemec, you do it. MG is probably looking for RD's and we have Granlund as a good piece going back for their playoff run. You can even add one of Ceci or Rutta to balance the RD situation on the trade.
Of potential RHD in our ideal age group (right now anyone who is NHL capable would be huge), I don’t see many guys more likely to be available and/or better than Nemec/Casey.
They could use Granny, but I think it’s also a good example of where we could build up the war chest to have futures to flip.
Jiricek had a lot less in front of him, and Nemec has higher draft pedigree and doesn’t have the skating concerns, but I think that late first, second, third+NHL player is a decent comp should Nemec want out. I actually think his response was pretty mature.
With Hamilton, Pesce, Casey, Nemec, and maybe Kovacevic (who I want us on if he reaches free agency), something will pop in NJ.
Would late 1st (Granny), SJ 2nd, Col 2nd, and an NHL asset (maybe Kovalenko) catch their attention? If Nemec starts to push to get out, I think it does though they may prefer a center (I guarantee they’d ask for Askarov or Smith, but that’s a non-starter). Maybe they can get a JT Miller or a Stankhoven (or other top young C) in a Nemec+ deal. Given id be open to using those assets to trade up for a Mrtka or Hensler, I think investing said assets into an NHL ready RHD would be ideal.
Walman-UFA/Ceci
Muk-Lilji
Ferraro/Thrun-Nemec
Thrun/Rutta (Vlasic)
Muk, Dickinson, Nemec, and potentially a 1st this year or next (Schaefer, Verhoeff, Reid) would be an absurd amount of youth. We’d definitely be looking to buttress them with quality vets, by upgrading Liljigren and extending or upgrading Walman (if we were to draft a top RHD), but we’ll be looking to do that anyway.
The other thing is love about Nemec is you if you were to end up with say Martone/Misa and McKenna or another top forward prospect next year, your forwards are good enough that having a good puck moving and skating group will allow for enough offense to outscore problems (at least in the regular season), while looking for a premier shutdown dman to compliment them.
Great thing about Celebrini and Askarov is we may have Vezina and selke caliber players, meaning a Norris caliber player, while ideal, is slightly less necessary. All things equal, I want Schaefer, Verhoff, or Dupont badly, but if it doesn’t work out, i still see a path for an elite team. Adding Nemec for non-premier assets, widens that path a bit even if he ends up a 3/4 guy instead of the #2 guy he could develop into.
