Devils team discussion (news, notes and speculation) - 2023-24 season part III

[NjdevilfanJim]

Jacob Markström a Devil? Chris Tanev to Dallas? 2024 trade deadline perfect fits

The Athletic's Harman Dayal and Max Bultman pick perfect player-team fits at this year's trade deadline, along with what they could cost.

theathletic.com

The Athletic's take on what a deal for Markstrom might look like...

New Jersey Devils​

The perfect fit: Jacob Markström

The trade: Markström (25 percent retained) for Alexander Holtz, 2025 second-round pick

There’s no secret when it comes to the Devils’ biggest need. They’re a deep, highly skilled team that came into the season as a potential Stanley Cup contender. Their campaign hasn’t gone nearly as planned, though, and while some of that can be traced to missed time by their stars, the most fixable issue is in goal, where New Jersey’s team save percentage was just .894 entering the weekend.

The Devils aren’t a slam-dunk playoff team at this point, so on one hand, making an aggressive buy this season might look a bit out of place compared to some of the other teams on this list. But they’re still firmly in the mix, and after getting Jack Hughes back up front, the right addition in goal could still spark a real run.

Markström stands out as that fit for multiple reasons. The most important is that he’s rock solid, putting together yet another strong season in Calgary. He’s a goalie who’s shown he can thrive on a high-octane team that likes to trade chances, and New Jersey associate coach Travis Green will be able to attest to that. Markström had two top-10 Vezina finishes playing for Green in Vancouver in 2018-19 and 2019-20 and played for him at AHL Utica as well.

Crucially, too, Markström is signed for two more years beyond this season, which is key given the Devils’ bubble status for this postseason. The idea would of course be that Markström pays immediate dividends for the Devils, but New Jersey wouldn’t be putting all their chips on just 2024. Those extra two years are especially important considering Nico Hischier’s contract — which carries a bargain $7.25 million cap hit — runs through 2027. Having Markström through 2026 helps to solidify the crease during the window in which the Devils have both of their star No. 1 picks (Hischier and Hughes) locked up at a combined $15.25 million. And with an uninspiring 2024 free-agent class, the Devils would be rolling the dice by waiting for the summer to try and fill that hole another way.

LeBrun wrote recently that the two teams had disagreed over salary retention and its associated costs for a potential Markström deal, but for a Devils team that has some big tickets already on the books, plus other young players they’ll need to pay in the coming years, it’s an obstacle worth navigating — even if it means paying a significant price.

And make no mistake, this price, which features Holtz and a second-rounder would be significant. But with the right amount of retention (we settled on 25 percent, taking Markström’s cap hit down to $4.5 million) that price is worth paying.

There aren’t many natural comparable trades for top-level goalies with term moving at the deadline, but a useful frame of reference is the Colorado Avalanche trading a first-round pick and defense prospect Conor Timmins to the Arizona Coyotes for Darcy Kuemper at $1 million retained in the summer of 2021 (Arizona also received a conditional third-round pick since Colorado won the Stanley Cup). Holtz has emerged as a middle-six scorer, and was a top-10 pick in 2020 — he’d be akin to a first-rounder in this proposal. He can also help an NHL lineup right away, which should be a bonus to the retooling Flames. The second-round pick would be roughly equivalent to Timmins’ value at the time as a prospect. Markström has more term left than Kuemper did which would be attractive for the Devils, but given that he’s 34, it also comes with downside risk. That’s why we didn’t add to the proposal beyond what we already have.

It’s a lot of moving parts, to be sure. But the ingredients are there for New Jersey to pull off a deadline blockbuster for the second straight year.

That's nuts giving up Holtz give up a prospect and if they deal Holtz should be a one for one with retention.....Especially if we are the only team inquiring...Hanifan makes no sense....All the risk is on NJ banking on an older goalie to settle the position maybe third time is the charm...Give up a guy that has shown he can produce with limited time and can play another 10 years for a guy on his way out stupid

 

[britdevil]

we are growing old together!

I'm young at heart.

 

[Forge]

Jacob Markström a Devil? Chris Tanev to Dallas? 2024 trade deadline perfect fits

The Athletic's Harman Dayal and Max Bultman pick perfect player-team fits at this year's trade deadline, along with what they could cost.

theathletic.com

The Athletic's take on what a deal for Markstrom might look like...

New Jersey Devils​

The perfect fit: Jacob Markström

The trade: Markström (25 percent retained) for Alexander Holtz, 2025 second-round pick

There’s no secret when it comes to the Devils’ biggest need. They’re a deep, highly skilled team that came into the season as a potential Stanley Cup contender. Their campaign hasn’t gone nearly as planned, though, and while some of that can be traced to missed time by their stars, the most fixable issue is in goal, where New Jersey’s team save percentage was just .894 entering the weekend.

The Devils aren’t a slam-dunk playoff team at this point, so on one hand, making an aggressive buy this season might look a bit out of place compared to some of the other teams on this list. But they’re still firmly in the mix, and after getting Jack Hughes back up front, the right addition in goal could still spark a real run.

Markström stands out as that fit for multiple reasons. The most important is that he’s rock solid, putting together yet another strong season in Calgary. He’s a goalie who’s shown he can thrive on a high-octane team that likes to trade chances, and New Jersey associate coach Travis Green will be able to attest to that. Markström had two top-10 Vezina finishes playing for Green in Vancouver in 2018-19 and 2019-20 and played for him at AHL Utica as well.

Crucially, too, Markström is signed for two more years beyond this season, which is key given the Devils’ bubble status for this postseason. The idea would of course be that Markström pays immediate dividends for the Devils, but New Jersey wouldn’t be putting all their chips on just 2024. Those extra two years are especially important considering Nico Hischier’s contract — which carries a bargain $7.25 million cap hit — runs through 2027. Having Markström through 2026 helps to solidify the crease during the window in which the Devils have both of their star No. 1 picks (Hischier and Hughes) locked up at a combined $15.25 million. And with an uninspiring 2024 free-agent class, the Devils would be rolling the dice by waiting for the summer to try and fill that hole another way.

LeBrun wrote recently that the two teams had disagreed over salary retention and its associated costs for a potential Markström deal, but for a Devils team that has some big tickets already on the books, plus other young players they’ll need to pay in the coming years, it’s an obstacle worth navigating — even if it means paying a significant price.

And make no mistake, this price, which features Holtz and a second-rounder would be significant. But with the right amount of retention (we settled on 25 percent, taking Markström’s cap hit down to $4.5 million) that price is worth paying.

There aren’t many natural comparable trades for top-level goalies with term moving at the deadline, but a useful frame of reference is the Colorado Avalanche trading a first-round pick and defense prospect Conor Timmins to the Arizona Coyotes for Darcy Kuemper at $1 million retained in the summer of 2021 (Arizona also received a conditional third-round pick since Colorado won the Stanley Cup). Holtz has emerged as a middle-six scorer, and was a top-10 pick in 2020 — he’d be akin to a first-rounder in this proposal. He can also help an NHL lineup right away, which should be a bonus to the retooling Flames. The second-round pick would be roughly equivalent to Timmins’ value at the time as a prospect. Markström has more term left than Kuemper did which would be attractive for the Devils, but given that he’s 34, it also comes with downside risk. That’s why we didn’t add to the proposal beyond what we already have.

It’s a lot of moving parts, to be sure. But the ingredients are there for New Jersey to pull off a deadline blockbuster for the second straight year.

I'm not doing cartwheels over it, but I wouldn't freak out over it either

 

[HBK27]

two parts above. comments have his/her replies, so still some stuff

nothing's that particularly outlandish though? so i'd believe it

Solid enough read - comes across as legit.

 

[Zippy316]

Feels like if this season wasn’t so up and down, a deal like Bahl + Holtz + 1st for Hanifin and Markstrom might’ve already went down using the Hamilton money.

That would all in all give us a solid team, especially if Hamilton returns for the playoffs.

Palat - Hischier - Bratt
Hughes - Haula - Toffoli
Meier - Lazar - Mercer
Smith - Nosek - Bastian
Foote - Tierney

Hanifin - Nemec
Hughes - Marino
Siegenthaler - Miller
Hatakka - (Hamilton)

Markstrom
VV/Daws/Schmid

I still think the emphasis should be made on building for next year more than anything as the team is missing a few pieces, but boy would that have been a cool team to watch.

 

[Nocashstyle]

two parts above. comments have his/her replies, so still some stuff

nothing's that particularly outlandish though? so i'd believe it

They really doubled down on Severson being a dick lol

Also not surprised to hear Hall seemed like a grumpy poopy pants.

 

[JrFischer54]

markstrom fits this timeline better then saros does honestly.

you get markstrom you play him for 2.5 years while nico learns and can be seen capable of taking over once markstrom ages out. saros you are going to pay even more to get him and have to sign him to an even bigger and longer contract then most of you want on here. the devils can't go into next year with nico backing up another unknown maybe good vitek type goalie. markstrom definitely has the resume to be able to take the workload for next year and who knows maybe nico overtakes him the second year. having markstrom backing him up isn't a bad option btw

 

[Poppy Whoa Sonnet]

I guess I don't see why Conroy needs to trade Markstrom, so playing hardball seems totally appropriate. Wolf isn't ready, Vladar is bad, he needs maybe 75-100 goalie starts over the next 2.5 years anyway.

I'd only trade him if NJ made it worth my while.

 

[My3Sons]

I guess I don't see why Conroy needs to trade Markstrom, so playing hardball seems totally appropriate. Wolf isn't ready, Vladar is bad, he needs maybe 75-100 goalie starts over the next 2.5 years anyway.

I'd only trade him if NJ made it worth my while.

Both Calgary and Nashville seem reluctant to throw in the towel which is understandable. But they are on the down part of the cycle whether they keep their goalies or not. Markstrom may erode at his age and who knows if they will get all 2.5 years out of him.

 

[Nocashstyle]

I guess I don't see why Conroy needs to trade Markstrom, so playing hardball seems totally appropriate. Wolf isn't ready, Vladar is bad, he needs maybe 75-100 goalie starts over the next 2.5 years anyway.

I'd only trade him if NJ made it worth my while.

They’re in a weird spot for sure.

But Calgary is a team that has been perpetually stuck in purgatory, save for one or two seasons, since the prime-Iginla and Kiprusoff era. Their “re-tooling” shortcuts might have actually worked if Gaudreau and Tkachuk had decided to stay. They really need to just tear it down, but it’s difficult when you sign guys like Huberdeau and Kadri to “win now” contracts.

 

[Forge]

I guess I don't see why Conroy needs to trade Markstrom, so playing hardball seems totally appropriate. Wolf isn't ready, Vladar is bad, he needs maybe 75-100 goalie starts over the next 2.5 years anyway.

I'd only trade him if NJ made it worth my while.

At some point, they are going to have to let Wolf sink or swim. The AHL is doing nothing for him at this point. He was a .924 at age 20 in the AHL, a .932 at age 21 and .928 at age 22. This isn't a small sample size any more...that's like 130 AHL games. At this juncture there is just no reason to keep him down there.

Now, I think in a perfect world, they'd let him play the 1b to Markstrom, but I don't think anyone is biting on Vladar.

Markstrom is a year removed from being an .892, is 34 years old with 2 years left. His value won't get higher and you get away from that potentially blowing up in your face for the last two years. They aren't going anywhere in those two years, so I there's definitely value in acquiring a piece like Holtz that is team controlled for like 5 more years.

They don't have to move Markstrom, but long term retool on this team, probably the better bet.

 

[Bleedred]

I’m more in favor of getting a stop gap goalie for the year (Stolarz, Kahkonen) and just riding the year out with them an VV. Not really a huge fan of giving up Holtz for Markstrom.

That being said, I wouldn’t hate a deal like this though. That’s good value for the Devils and I would assume if the Athletic is publishing this, they have some good knowledge on what the actual offer is. Must be pretty close, maybe Holtz for Markstrom with a throw-in like Kallgren for roster reasons.

Devils really should aim to get a second goalie soon though, just to preserve Daws & Schmid’s waiver eligibility for next year. If VV is out for a bit, you’re going to eat into their games even more.

f*** VV

Either trade for someone and roll with them and Daws or roll with Daws and Vanecek when he gets healthy again. And very little Vanecek if possible.

f*** Daws having to pay by having to be sent down while Vanecek stays up and sucks like he has for a year now.

 

[Goptor]

I guess I don't see why Conroy needs to trade Markstrom, so playing hardball seems totally appropriate. Wolf isn't ready, Vladar is bad, he needs maybe 75-100 goalie starts over the next 2.5 years anyway.

I'd only trade him if NJ made it worth my while.

He's 34 and could fall apart next season, given how bad his previous one was.

Its like the Devils trading Andy Greene at the start of the rebuild. Was a very valuable player to the Devils and we expected a big return. Nobody wanted to risk it and he ended up getting traded when he already fell off.

 

[MartyOwns]

i’m really not interested in giving up anything substantial for markstrom, an unpredictable guy in his mid 30’s with term. i definitely don’t mind parting with holtz or mercer in the right scenario, but this isn’t it. i’d rather just play out the year and see if daws is a pretender or not.

 

[Poppy Whoa Sonnet]

Wolf's played 6 NHL games, he's had two good games out of those 6.

Dustin Wolf 2023-24 Game Log | Hockey-Reference.com

Gamelogs for Dustin Wolf for 2023-24

www.hockey-reference.com

The second they trade Markstrom they are in a hole, they need a goalie to pair with Wolf. They are not desperate imo and I don't think they should be.
I'd move him though if the return justified it, and I guess if you sent any of these NJ offers that we'd now jump for joy over back in time to last offseason and said. "NJ will do this trade for Jacob Markstrom in 5 months" you'd all be asking for Fitz's head. The goalie market is weird for a good reason, which is why Fitz's plan to roll the dice on Vanecek/Schmid and fix it at the deadline if necessary was so risky, the season is legitimately at stake, and it could really hurt (still) to try and save it.

 

[Guadana]

I guess I don't see why Conroy needs to trade Markstrom, so playing hardball seems totally appropriate. Wolf isn't ready, Vladar is bad, he needs maybe 75-100 goalie starts over the next 2.5 years anyway.

I'd only trade him if NJ made it worth my while.

Because Calgary will win nothing, needs rebuild as soon as now, they lack of young prospects and needs more to build around, Markstrom is on his peak if the price, he is 34yo and the price may decrease quickly.

 

[JrFischer54]

At some point, they are going to have to let Wolf sink or swim. The AHL is doing nothing for him at this point. He was a .924 at age 20 in the AHL, a .932 at age 21 and .928 at age 22. This isn't a small sample size any more...that's like 130 AHL games. At this juncture there is just no reason to keep him down there.

Now, I think in a perfect world, they'd let him play the 1b to Markstrom, but I don't think anyone is biting on Vladar.

Markstrom is a year removed from being an .892, is 34 years old with 2 years left. His value won't get higher and you get away from that potentially blowing up in your face for the last two years. They aren't going anywhere in those two years, so I there's definitely value in acquiring a piece like Holtz that is team controlled for like 5 more years.

They don't have to move Markstrom, but long term retool on this team, probably the better bet.

flames are crazy then to keep markstrom for any type of "run" sell the non core pieces and build around your kid goalie and hopefully you can line a window up with him when he enters his prime.

Wolf's played 6 NHL games, he's had two good games out of those 6.

Dustin Wolf 2023-24 Game Log | Hockey-Reference.com

Gamelogs for Dustin Wolf for 2023-24

www.hockey-reference.com

The second they trade Markstrom they are in a hole, they need a goalie to pair with Wolf. They are not desperate imo and I don't think they should be.
I'd move him though if the return justified it, and I guess if you sent any of these NJ offers that we'd now jump for joy over back in time to last offseason and said. "NJ will do this trade for Jacob Markstrom in 5 months" you'd all be asking for Fitz's head. The goalie market is weird for a good reason, which is why Fitz's plan to roll the dice on Vanecek/Schmid and fix it at the deadline if necessary was so risky, the season is legitimately at stake, and it could really hurt (still) to try and save it.

they get vitek back and can bottom out next year its a win/win/win

 

[Saugus]

I think I'm ok with standing pat for now, given the exorbitant asking price, the emergence of Daws, and the fact that Vanecek has been sidelined with a mystery injury.

But this is the sort of thing that could come back to bite us in a hurry if Daws turns back into a pumpkin, Schmid can't get his mojo back, and it turns out that our best option is the guy with the worst SV% in the league.

Fitz needs to play his cards very carefully for the next month until the deadline. He could easily come out of this blamed for wasting a season if he chooses incorrectly.

 

[kiwidevil]

Because Calgary will win nothing, needs rebuild as soon as now, they lack of young prospects and needs more to build around, Markstrom is on his peak if the price, he is 34yo and the price may decrease quickly.

Exactly. An average end to the season for Markstrom, may mean he goes from a prime asset to hoping for a lateral cap move in the off season. Not to mention the acquiring team should pay less anyway as they get 2 playoff runs from him, rather than 3.

 

[Guttersniped]

Because Calgary will win nothing, needs rebuild as soon as now, they lack of young prospects and needs more to build around, Markstrom is on his peak if the price, he is 34yo and the price may decrease quickly.

They traded away their 2025 1st. It has a ridiculous number of conditions but the only one that matters is it’s only #1OA protected.

So if they’re really bad next season that’s great for the Habs.

 

[Guadana]

Exactly. An average end to the season for Markstrom, may mean he goes from a prime asset to hoping for a lateral cap move in the off season. Not to mention the acquiring team should pay less anyway as they get 2 playoff runs from him, rather than 3.

He is good for one run, because he is in his form, healthy and making saves now. What will happen in the next year or year after no one knows, because he is old. He is reasonable to be a good trade target now, but after that his price will going down. If Calgary wants to trade him for something real, they should make a trade now. They lost Lindholm (after losing Tkachuk and Johnny Gaudreaunee for ~nothing), and now they have some pieces like Coronato, Zary and Honzek. But its far away from building future contender and now they don't have enough pieces for even creating Cinderella. Hanifin will leave this team for nothing too, if they will not trade him now. With making two moves they can add good assets to help to build new team and making rebuild or retool faster.

If their gm is reasonable. If not, than sorry, good luck with the next run next year and the next try with potential trade of 35yo goalie.

They traded away their 2025 1st. It has a ridiculous number of conditions but the only one that matters is it’s only #1OA protected.

So if they’re really bad next season that’s great for the Habs.

Forgot about it. Poor fans. Its a SJ Stuzle pick vibe from it. May be they will sign Monahan from the market and will trade him to MTL right after that for their pick?

 

[JimEIV]

I haven't had pizza in almost a year.

 

[NjDevsRR]

I haven't had pizza in almost a year.

 

[CalamityX23]

screw the Markstrom route.... maybe just nothing in terms of goalie... the ideas or Mercer or Holtz, IMO, are overpaying for Markstrom right now.

Get bleeping DuClair before its too late!

 

[My3Sons]

I haven't had pizza in almost a year.

You should really do something about that. You don't want it to spread. What if your wife catches it?