Speculation: A 3rd line center to NJ

[miscs75]

I wouldn't be surprised either but I'd be unhappy if the Devils we're dropping a 1st for Pageau

As an Islanders fan I’d laugh if whoever the new GM shook down NJ for a 1st for JGP even though I can’t see it happening without retention. Ideally moving him completely without retention would be the goal though.

 

[Zubrus Coffee Maker]

I don’t want to make another Zacha for Haula trade personally. The Devils need young talent that father time hasn’t reached yet. 10 years of Mercer is much better than 2-3 years of Pageau IMO or other similar aged 3C’s

 

[Djp]

The best UFA centers are too expensive and others too mediocre, so a trade might be the best way to get a 3rd line center to NJ. But who are available?

The Devils could offer a combination of these assets:
- a 1st (2026)
- 2 x 2nds
- prospects (Casey, Hämeenaho, etc.)
- Mercer

Thatdl doesnt move thre needle to get such a center.

 

[Pinkfloyd]

If the Devils don't have this addressed by the time next season's trade deadline arrives, don't be surprised if they look into someone like Alex Wennberg. Not great but would probably be a cheap rental that the Sharks could retain on.

 

[BHD]

Dawson Mercer seems like the guy to go. He needs to show more as a supposed key player. Otherwise, I would explore moving him while his value is still decent.

 

[Monsieur Verdoux]

Thatdl doesnt move thre needle to get such a center.

Those assets don't get you a 3C? I'd understand your argument if I proposed those assets for a 1st or 2nd line center, but a 3rd line center shouldn't cost that much.

 

[SirPaste]

Just sign Faksa

Faksa was solid this year as a 4C, not sure you would want him as your 3C though.

 

[Gregor Samsa]

A signed Noah Cates?

 

[TheBeard]

How about Alex Wennberg?

 

[jackjohnson]

The best UFA centers are too expensive and others too mediocre, so a trade might be the best way to get a 3rd line center to NJ. But who are available?

The Devils could offer a combination of these assets:
- a 1st (2026)
- 2 x 2nds
- prospects (Casey, Hämeenaho, etc.)
- Mercer

Blueger for Mercer

 

[HugeInTheShire]

Faksa was solid this year as a 4C, not sure you would want him as your 3C though.

I'd rather him be the 4C but I just want them to sign him lol

 

[The Duck Knight]

Take Ryan Strome. He'll get you exactly 41 points.

 

[Hisch13r]

Suter.

 

[Hisch13r]

Ross Colton, but I think he ends up higher in the lineup.
Unrelated but I'd love to get Zetterland back in NJ

Colton isn't really a center. He's a W with some C versatility but not a guy you should be going into a year relying on as your 3C. We just went through this to a lesser extent with putting natural W with C versatility Curtis Lazar at center full time and it didn't go well.

 

[Altimus]

Ross Colton, but I think he ends up higher in the lineup.
Unrelated but I'd love to get Zetterland back in NJ

I think Ottawa would consider this.

 

[Quatre Vingt Treize]

D

The best UFA centers are too expensive and others too mediocre, so a trade might be the best way to get a 3rd line center to NJ. But who are available?

The Devils could offer a combination of these assets:
- a 1st (2026)
- 2 x 2nds
- prospects (Casey, Hämeenaho, etc.)
- Mercer

Dvorak is a ideal UFA. He's good defensively and good on faceoffs. Habs only letting him walk because Evans just signed long term and Beck/Kapanen are pushing through

 

[Hisch13r]

I think Ottawa would consider this.

Probably wouldn't be smart but PLEASE do. I know he hasn't been good for you guys so far but it's an adjustment period. He wasn't good for SJ at first either after being good with us. Then he got settled into SJ eventually and turned his game around.

 

[Hisch13r]

D

Dvorak is a ideal UFA. He's good defensively and good on faceoffs. Habs only letting him walk because Evans just signed long term and Beck/Kapanen are pushing through

Dvorak's hasn't been good defensively in many many years now. He's just not a good player in general recently. I have no interest in him.

 

[Djp]

Those assets don't get you a 3C? I'd understand your argument if I proposed those assets for a 1st or 2nd line center, but a 3rd line center shouldn't cost that much.

It was stated the ones who are UFAs aren’t good which tell me you really want someone who is a good 2C

 

[Zetterberg4Captain]

Did you say Compher?

 

[Djp]

Those kind of players are a pipe dream though, any player that would be available in a trade is past their prime and would end up being Haula/Palat level. They'd give up Nemec and end up with someone like Ryan O'Reilly who is poised for a drop off.

The only scenario is a team if depth sbd development like the dtaal situation in Pittsburgh. Thry had drafted malkin and Crosby and then staal. Staal got traded when ELC ended.

Even in that situation they would want something they are lacking, not future picks.

 

[mrinsane]

Newhook or Dach are available

 

[Monsieur Verdoux]

It was stated the ones who are UFAs aren’t good which tell me you really want someone who is a good 2C

The Devils already have Hughes and Hischier, so they don't need a good 2C. As someone said, they need a 3C who is defensively responsible and can get 35+ points.

The Devils already have Haula who was a good 3C but has regressed because of his age and injuries. They also have few bad contracts such as Palat, Haula, Dillon and Hamilton, so I don't want another bad UFA contract to the team. That's a reason why I don't want them to sign Gourde.

Suter is probably the best option for the Devils if they target a UFA center. He is a good player, but he is also one of the slowest skaters in the league. I'm not sure if I want more slow skaters to the team. Two years ago the biggest strength of the team was their speed, but they have lost it with Noesen, Dillon and other slow skaters.

Ryan Strome might be a good option if the Ducks were ready to trade him. Compher is another one and Pageau third one. On the other hand, those guys are already over 30, so I wouldn't trade Mercer for either of them. I don't want another Zacha for Haula trade where we get only couple good seasons from that player before he regresses.

It's not easy problem to fix, but I'm sure there are still some options available.

 

[Habs7631]

Just spitballing, I’m not a Devils fan, but on the outside looking in NJ seems to have some pretty attractive assets (Nemec, Casey, Silayev, Mercer, 1st + 2nds).

Why not pay the price and go after a long term, age appropriate fix?

Someone like Shane Wright, Ryan McLeod, Shane Pinto, etc?

 

[Monsieur Verdoux]

Someone like Shane Wright, Ryan McLeod, Shane Pinto, etc?

I'd be interested in all of them, but I don't think they're available. But the Devils should focus on someone like them.