Devils discussion (news, notes and speculation) - offseason part II

[forceten]

Markstrom for one of our 5ths or 4ths or whatever we have two of, and maybe some disco fries

 

[OmNomNom]

since ppl are so against giving away the 1st, if markstrom cost our 2025 2nd and a 2024 3rd instead of our 1st, would you do it?

not saying we should offer that off the bat, but if market dictates that price

 

[My3Sons]

Markstrom is my preferred target because it lets us maintain our flexibility. I don't envision his cost being as significant as it apparently was during the season last year. He should be easily attainable, and I think him and Allen together is a decent bet to make.

Saros seems like a pipe dream to begin with. I'm 50/50 on Ullmark. Either way, I don't think the 10OA is going to be moved for a goalie.

I don't think it will be as simple as we want it to be. I don't see Calgary management or ownership embracing a rebuild and while Wolf is an excellent goalie prospect he is not a sure thing in the NHL at this point. I think Calgary keeps Markstrom until maybe the TDL if they are out of the race at that point. Moving him in the offseason would hitch their wagon entirely to Wolf and that seems very risky for them.

 

[minibrodeur]

Largely positive IMO. Dillon is interesting - would push Bahl to #7. I'd be curious on the contract, I'd assume 2 or 3 years given his age. 3 would be too long.

I would really love to add Dillon, and he should be available at an affordable price + term. Veteran player, would be a great mentor for the young d core. Fills Smith's PK role, good defensive metrics, adds a physical element to our D and he's only missed 10 games in his last 9 seasons.

 

[Zippy316]

If Binnington/Saros/Ullmark and especially Markstrom were the centerpiece asset of the deal, there is absolutely no way I would put the 10th on the table. None. Retention or adding some mid-roster player isn't cutting it.

My preference is just to use the pick add an elite prospect that could give them a nice, ELC push in two years.

If they're trading the 10th, it's for a real quality player, in their prime, with some degree of cost certainty. Otherwise just make the selection.

I fully agree, there’s no one on those teams that would bring up those goalies to the value of a #10. Just an initial thought of maybe it could be possible in a deal that fits the team perfectly.

since ppl are so against giving away the 1st, if markstrom cost our 2025 2nd and a 2024 3rd instead of our 1st, would you do it?

not saying we should offer that off the bat, but if market dictates that price

I would do Markstrom for the 2nd + another asset not including Lenni, Vilen, Gritsyuk,or Casey. I’d also say Holtz shouldn’t be involved in a deal unless that 2nd is downgraded to a third.

It’s might be a good time for the Devils to make a decision on Schmid vs Daws if they could be the prospect in a deal too

 

[Better Call Sal]

I don't think it will be as simple as we want it to be. I don't see Calgary management or ownership embracing a rebuild and while Wolf is an excellent goalie prospect he is not a sure thing in the NHL at this point. I think Calgary keeps Markstrom until maybe the TDL if they are out of the race at that point. Moving him in the offseason would hitch their wagon entirely to Wolf and that seems very risky for them.

Well, I think the question is how much damage was done with that relationship after last year. It seemed as though Markstrom got fed up with the constant trade rumors and then him not being moved at the end of the day. I don't know if things have soured enough that they feel forced to move him, but he seemed to make his feelings known publicly afterwards.

 

[Guadana]

since ppl are so against giving away the 1st, if markstrom cost our 2025 2nd and a 2024 3rd instead of our 1st, would you do it?

not saying we should offer that off the bat, but if market dictates that price

Its okay if we trully believe that he will be better than free agents Kahkonen or Lankinen.

 

[BigFatCat999]

Nashville fan just coming in for info. Do you see Mercer as a center?

 

[My3Sons]

Nashville fan just coming in for info. Do you see Mercer as a center?

By and large no.

 

[Rhodes 81]

Nashville fan just coming in for info. Do you see Mercer as a center?

I'll answer this by saying there was a point this year where the team chose to play mediocre AHLers in our top six rather than Mercer at center.

 

[LaP]

1st + Nemec for 1st, Xhekaj, Anderson

Habs fan where do i sign?

 

[longislanddevil]

Waiting to hear some interesting reports on prospects at the Combine….

 

[Zippy316]

It’s weird because in season posters on here said to wait til summer when prices would be lower. #crazy



If I’m the devils I’m doing absolutely everything to get Mercer signed to way longer than 3 years. Lock him up on a 6 or 7 year deal on a down year before the cap goes up drastically? Instantly becomes an even more valuable trade chip in a year or two

Unless Mercer is willing to take a significant pay cut (he shouldn’t), then any 6-7 year deal he signs should probably come close to 6 million per, if not more.

I’d rather sign him for three years and use the extra 2-3 million he would’ve gotten on a long term deal to make the team a contender.

 

[JrFischer54]

Leaning Markstrom right now for the simple fact that the cost will be lower and it’s not a huge commitment.

woah what a crazy concept!

for people on here that are crazy about the cap crazy about cap hits crazy about age requirements crazy about giving up too much in trades markstrom is the only legit option. he will be "cheap" and short term stop gap as long as he plays average/good thats all we should need

I think the top 10-12 group of this draft is very strong. They'll be getting a very good prospect that should be expected to push for real playing time in 2 seasons.

ELC contributors are NOS to a contender. The Devils will have a lot of big re-signings coming up (Mercer, Luke, Hughes) in addition to whatever medium-large cap hits they add this offseason. A real ELC contributor would be great.

It's a cap league. Yes, the club should care about the cap. It's the peak of their contention window.

Again, like I said, I'm not 100% against trading the 10th. But the target has to be an Actually Good asset. Not some mid goalie that's already on his last legs.

of course everything is different each year but going by our past draft history with players in this range its been eh zacha 6 mikey 11 holtz 7 sure they contribute but so does any other bottom 6 player that shouldn't cost a fortune either. use the pick to get the team immediate help wherever that might be. worry about an elc in 3 years with whoever you take in the 2nd 3rd 4th or whenever you draft next year. basically i'm not keeping this pick because i think maybe his cap hit will help us in a couple years. i need on ice help first before you worry about that

 

[HoliksGhost]

DO NOT underestimate how horrific our goaltending was last year. Absolutely a chit show. So when we give up assets, don’t forget.

 

[R8Devs]

I think Markstrom would be fine and should be cheaper than the others but the main thing that gives me pause is having Markstrom at 34 years old with a couple of lower body injuries last year (albeit short-term) and Allen who'll be 34 at start of the season as the two goalies. So it's a bit risky assuming that both will be fine both injury wise/playing level wise for the Devils to rely on them. In that case I'd rather the Devils sign Kahkonen to be the backup for Markstrom but don't really see how that would work out because I doubt Calgary would want Allen back in the trade with Wolf and Vladar signed for next season.

With Ullmark I could see Boston wanting Allen back in the trade as a cheap and surefire backup for Swayman or Nashville if the Devils trade for Saros so they have a cheap backup for Askarov but yeah that's the main thing that worries me about Markstrom.

 

[JrFischer54]

Unless Mercer is willing to take a significant pay cut (he shouldn’t), then any 6-7 year deal he signs should probably come close to 6 million per, if not more.

I’d rather sign him for three years and use the extra 2-3 million he would’ve gotten on a long term deal to make the team a contender.

I would do 7x6 for him and bank on the bounce back that sheldon hopefully produces figure if that happens on a 3 year deal instead of getting him for 6 your probably paying 8 with how ufa and the cap goes up

 

[Zippy316]

I would do 7x6 for him and bank on the bounce back that sheldon hopefully produces figure if that happens on a 3 year deal instead of getting him for 6 your probably paying 8 with how ufa and the cap goes up

Three year deal puts his contract to expire when Hischier, Palat, and Marino’s does with one year left of Dougie and Siegenthaler. He’d also be an RFA at the end of it too.

By that point, you should have a better idea of the make up of this team and whether you want to keep Mercer at that higher number or decide it’s time to move on.

 

[Forge]

Nashville fan just coming in for info. Do you see Mercer as a center?

Nope

 

[bossram]

I think Markstrom would be fine and should be cheaper than the others but the main thing that gives me pause is having Markstrom at 34 years old with a couple of lower body injuries last year (albeit short-term) and Allen who'll be 34 at start of the season as the two goalies. So it's a bit risky assuming that both will be fine both injury wise/playing level wise for the Devils to rely on them. In that case I'd rather the Devils sign Kahkonen to be the backup for Markstrom but don't really see how that would work out because I doubt Calgary would want Allen back in the trade with Wolf and Vladar signed for next season.

With Ullmark I could see Boston wanting Allen back in the trade as a cheap and surefire backup for Swayman or Nashville if the Devils trade for Saros so they have a cheap backup for Askarov but yeah that's the main thing that worries me about Markstrom.

Markstrom breaks down by the end of every season. He cannot handle a true starter workload. And he oscillates seasons between being bad and good. And he's 34. And he has a litany of injuries. I'm just not interested unless he comes basically for free.

 

[BigFatCat999]

I'll answer this by saying there was a point this year where the team chose to play mediocre AHLers in our top six rather than Mercer at center.

That's all I needed to know; thank you everyone

 

[bossram]

woah what a crazy concept!

for people on here that are crazy about the cap crazy about cap hits crazy about age requirements crazy about giving up too much in trades markstrom is the only legit option. he will be "cheap" and short term stop gap as long as he plays average/good thats all we should need



of course everything is different each year but going by our past draft history with players in this range its been eh zacha 6 mikey 11 holtz 7 sure they contribute but so does any other bottom 6 player that shouldn't cost a fortune either. use the pick to get the team immediate help wherever that might be. worry about an elc in 3 years with whoever you take in the 2nd 3rd 4th or whenever you draft next year. basically i'm not keeping this pick because i think maybe his cap hit will help us in a couple years. i need on ice help first before you worry about that

Again, like I said, I think they are getting a stronger calibre of prospect at 10 than the Zacha/Holtz of previous drafts.

And yes, again, like I said, use the pick for on-ice help now....if it actually helps on ice. Not some mid player at an overpriced AAV.

 

[theoptimist]

Markstrom breaks down by the end of every season. He cannot handle a true starter workload. And he oscillates seasons between being bad and good. And he's 34. And he has a litany of injuries. I'm just not interested unless he comes basically for free.

Great way to introduce Daws into our rotation. He's deserving.

 

[Zippy316]

Markstrom breaks down by the end of every season. He cannot handle a true starter workload. And he oscillates seasons between being bad and good. And he's 34. And he has a litany of injuries. I'm just not interested unless he comes basically for free.

I would think whoever the goalie they acquire if it’s a 1A type, the split would be something like 50 games 1A, 25 games Allen, and the remaining games for Schmid or Daws. Maybe even less for the 1A in all honesty.

Devils have been sticking to 2 games on, 1 game off with regularity the last few years, except in times of injury or one goalie being hit while the other struggles.

 

[bossram]

I would think whoever the goalie they acquire if it’s a 1A type, the split would be something like 50 games 1A, 25 games Allen, and the remaining games for Schmid or Daws. Maybe even less for the 1A in all honesty.

Devils have been sticking to 2 games on, 1 game off with regularity the last few years, except in times of injury or one goalie being hit while the other struggles.

That's fine if they use him as a 1A. But the trade acquisition cost should reflect that. He isn't a prime-age starter. Goalies don't hold a ton of value in the first place, and so the trade cost better be palatable.