Around the NHL 2024-25 regular season Part II

[Brodeur]

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

Lou is loading up on the one dimensional offensive dmen

 

[HBK27]

Welp, there goes that idea. If he was getting a bunch of similar offers, I could see Vegas being the pick for a number of reasons. Guessing they were in the market for another bottom 6 scoring winger with Holtz in the AHL.

 

[NjDevsRR]

In before the WHY COULDNT FITZ BEAT THAT posts

 

[NJDevs26]

Welp, there goes that idea. If he was getting a bunch of similar offers, I could see Vegas being the pick for a number of reasons. Guessing they were in the market for another bottom 6 scoring winger with Holtz in the AHL.

Oh the irony, Holtz still ****ing us over

 

[Oneiro]

Yeah, once you saw the list, you could rule us out. It was always going to be VGK or TB.

 

[TheBeerNerd]

If he goes on a tear in Vegas I'm going to go insane. So of course he will.

 

[NjDevsRR]

Oh the irony, Holtz still ****ing us over

 

[HBK27]

Yeah, once you saw the list, you could rule us out. It was always going to be VGK or TB.

Given the list of 4 teams, I thought those would've been the two most likely with Vegas having the edge as they probably have the better Cup odds (along with the no state income tax).

Friedman had mentioned on the 32 Thoughts podcast that team(s) were considering a 2-year offer to Saad. Can't remember his exact phrasing - if this is something he was just speculating on or had heard. That could've been something the Maple Leafs or Devils were considering offering to sway him. You give him a close to league minimum deal this season since you're tight to the cap, but he gets that guaranteed deal next season...maybe at a slightly higher level to offset the discount this year.

Regardless, can't blame him for going to Vegas. Cap space might be better utilized on a 3C upgrade anyway.

 

[tailfins]

Given the list of 4 teams, I thought those would've been the two most likely with Vegas having the edge as they probably have the better Cup odds (along with the no state income tax).

Friedman had mentioned on the 32 Thoughts podcast that team(s) were considering a 2-year offer to Saad. Can't remember his exact phrasing - if this is something he was just speculating on or had heard. That could've been something the Maple Leafs or Devils were considering offering to sway him. You give him a close to league minimum deal this season since you're tight to the cap, but he gets that guaranteed deal next season...maybe at a slightly higher level to offset the discount this year.

Regardless, can't blame him for going to Vegas. Cap space might be better utilized on a 3C upgrade anyway.

I really don't think taxes are playing much of a role in Saad's thinking.

He gave up $6 million in salary to get himself into a better situation. I don't think taxes on a $1.5 million pro-rated deal where half the games are away (and taxed differently) is going to make much of a difference.

IMO, he's looking for a place where he can be most likely to finish out the season in a way that gets him a pretty good deal for next year. Probably means he'd like some time on the power play and the potential to be a top 6 player. Neither of those are guaranteed with the Devils.

 

[HBK27]

I really don't think taxes are playing much of a role in Saad's thinking.

He gave up $6 million in salary to get himself into a better situation. I don't think taxes on a $1.5 million pro-rated deal where half the games are away (and taxed differently) is going to make much of a difference.

IMO, he's looking for a place where he can be most likely to finish out the season in a way that gets him a pretty good deal for next year. Probably means he'd like some time on the power play and the potential to be a top 6 player. Neither of those are guaranteed with the Devils.

Yeah, I don't think it's a main driver necessarily - particularly on a pro-rated, relatively small deal - though it probably doesn't hurt. Just as I'm sure living in Vegas for a few months is also a lower level priority.

Agree with your overall assessment though that the fit and playing for a contender is the main driver here and Vegas presented the better opportunity.

 

[guitarguyvic]

Ugh bummer. Low risk opportunity to add much needed bottom six help without giving up any assets… gone.

 

[JK3]

What kind of role would he play in Vegas, wouldn't he get more time here?

 

[Mgd31]

What kind of role would he play in Vegas, wouldn't he get more time here?

They have Victor Oloffson in their top 6 right now so probably not

 

[Brodeur]

What kind of role would he play in Vegas, wouldn't he get more time here?

Not sure it's a given that Saad is an upgrade over Palat. So probably a thin line between possibly playing with Hughes/Hischier and being on the 3rd line with Haula. Vegas probably can offer him something similar, middle six time + maybe PP2.

DailyFaceoff had this as Vegas' most recent lineup:

Barbashev-Eichel-Stone
Olofsson-Hertl-Dorofeyev
Lavoie-Roy-Kolesar
Pearson-Howden-Burke
IR: Karlsson

Seems easy enough to insert Saad into their 3LW to start with some chance he could jump onto the Hertl line. Vegas maybe could look into extending Saad (presuming that he plays okay for them) since he wouldn't be blocking anybody whereas we probably would want to keep a spot open next season for Arseny Gritsyuk. But who knows if Saad/his agent are looking that far ahead.

 

[MadDevil]

 

[My3Sons]

A Quick Look at cap wages suggests that NJ shoukd have about 70.5 million committed if they waive MacDermid next season. That leaves them about 25 million to sign a fourth line, Luke and Kovacevic, and a backup goalie. If they can get Luke around $9 million and Kovacevic around $4.5 million that leaves plenty for a second goalie and some short term fourth liners. They may actually be able to get the band back together.

 

[Forge]

A Quick Look at cap wages suggests that NJ shoukd have about 70.5 million committed if they waive MacDermid next season. That leaves them about 25 million to sign a fourth line, Luke and Kovacevic, and a backup goalie. If they can get Luke around $9 million and Kovacevic around $4.5 million that leaves plenty for a second goalie and some short term fourth liners. They may actually be able to get the band back together.

Nemec looking at this post

 

[njdevils1982]

nm