Confirmed with Link: (G) J. Markstrom (30% retention) traded to NJ for (D) Kevin Bahl, 2025 1st rd pick (Top 10 protected)

[Forge]

I sat and thought about this for a while and still doesn't make sense to me to give up premium assets to get a 35 year old goalie that was out multiple times last season with groin injuries.

It just smells like a really bad move to me.

Agree that the trade could go poorly. It happens. There were going to be concerns regardless of what direction they went.

Disagree that there are any "premium assets" involved in this transaction for either team

 

[Mgd31]

Devils Sharks 2/27/24 on MSG right now. Kahkonen stinks!

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

Devils Sharks 2/27/24 on MSG right now. Kahkonen stinks!

NHL trades make no sense in that regard sometimes. You see a player have a horrid game and a GM is like "huh, he can do better here" lmao

 

[Mgd31]

NHL trades make no sense in that regard sometimes. You see a player have a horrid game and a GM is like "huh, he can do better here" lmao

Bahl just scored a laser to make it 3-1. Oh boy.

 

[JimEIV]

Agree that the trade could go poorly. It happens. There were going to be concerns regardless of what direction they went.

Disagree that there are any "premium assets" involved in this transaction for either team

A first round pick and a starting 23 year old Dman aren't premium assets?


Just think we gave up a 2nd and 4th for Micro Mueller...

 

[PizzaAndPucks]

I just hope he comes in and plays well. As long as him and Allen can stay healthy we should have an upgrade in net over last year.

There is a huge logjam though with Schmid , Daws and Poulter in the AHL. Not to mention Brennan probably looking for some playing time. Its gonna he tough for them to get any NHL action next season unless there are some injuries. It would be nice to know if they can be trusted to be the backup for the 25-26 season. Kind of crazy considering Schmid and Daws both have shined at times in the NHL for us.

 

[Better Call Sal]

A first round pick and a starting 23 year old Dman aren't premium assets?


Just think we gave up a 2nd and 4th for Micro Mueller...

Kevin Bahl is not a premium asset, no. Sure, the first round pick is what it is, but the goaltending market is about as upside down as I can remember with a surplus of buyers and not enough sellers.

There is obvious risk with the move, but Fitz’s hands were as close to tied as can be with needing to make a move for a more proven commodity after years of potential band aids not working. Even if this is a larger band aid, Markstrom has been one of the better goalies in the league over the past few season analytically and Fitz really didn’t give up much given the first is next year and top 10 protected on top of the salary retention.

This move still provides us flexibility without having to give up more assets in addition to an extension for guys like Ullmark or Saros. If you need a goalie in this market, you have to pay some sort of price. I don’t think the price we paid was that exorbitant.

 

[Forge]

A first round pick and a starting 23 year old Dman aren't premium assets?


Just think we gave up a 2nd and 4th for Micro Mueller...

Look at what first round picks, particularly middle and late round firsts, often get traded for. No, it's not a premium asset. At least not to the NHL.

"Starting 23 year old dman", also known as a soon to be 24 year old, offensively inept third pairing dman who may have some defensive upside. He's JAG.

No, he's not a premium asset.

 

[Cheddabombs]

Premium asset Kevin Bahl

 

[NjDevsRR]

Also RIP to the BahlSmith Productions meme @Guttersniped

 

[Saint Beaurivage]

This goalie's career already peaked, why on earth would you give up your 10th pick for a 34 year old goalie? Isn't this goalie hitting free agency after this season? I could care less about giving up Bahl, but kind of feel Fitzpatrick through that asset out to save his job.

Really stupid trade, sorry. This team is nowhere close to competing with Panthers or Oilers right now. We could have used that pick for a strong younger player. Our GM is looking like a dumb rookie.

 

[KovalchukFistPump]

I know some people are a little burnt out on the Crawford and Bernier experiences but not all goalies age the same. Guys like Craig Anderson and Mike Smith had some of their best years around age 34 and remained decent tandem options up until age 40. Markstrom was very good last year before Calgary was gutted at the deadline (plus the fact they spent all that time convincing him to waive, agreed to a trade, and then had that trade nixed because the owner didn't want to retain....so I'm guessing he himself stopped trying).

Also: The Athletic article really loves this trade for us

 

[HellOnIce]

This goalie's career already peaked, why on earth would you give up your 10th pick for a 34 year old goalie? Isn't this goalie hitting free agency after this season? I could care less about giving up Bahl, but kind of feel Fitzpatrick through that asset out to save his job.

Really stupid trade, sorry. This team is nowhere close the Panthers or Oilers. We could have used that pick for a strong younger player. Our GM is looking like a dumb rookie.

but we didn't give them 10th...dude

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

This goalie's career already peaked, why on earth would you give up your 10th pick for a 34 year old goalie? Isn't this goalie hitting free agency after this season? I could care less about giving up Bahl, but kind of feel Fitzpatrick through that asset out to save his job.

Really stupid trade, sorry. This team is nowhere close the Panthers or Oilers. We could have used that pick for a strong younger player. Our GM is looking like a dumb rookie.

It's not this year's first, it's top 10 protected for next year and no Markstrom has 2 years left and got retained 31%.

 

[Cheddabombs]

This goalie's career already peaked, why on earth would you give up your 10th pick for a 34 year old goalie? Isn't this goalie hitting free agency after this season? I could care less about giving up Bahl, but kind of feel Fitzpatrick through that asset out to save his job.

Really stupid trade, sorry. This team is nowhere close the Panthers or Oilers. We could have used that pick for a strong younger player. Our GM is looking like a dumb rookie.

Boy do I have some good news for you

 

[Mgd31]

This goalie's career already peaked, why on earth would you give up your 10th pick for a 34 year old goalie? Isn't this goalie hitting free agency after this season? I could care less about giving up Bahl, but kind of feel Fitzpatrick through that asset out to save his job.

Really stupid trade, sorry. This team is nowhere close to competing with Panthers or Oilers right now. We could have used that pick for a strong younger player. Our GM is looking like a dumb rookie.

How many four loko did you have on the Jersey shore today?

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

What is going on

 

[Mike C]

I'm prepared to riot

The phrase is peaceful protest

 

[MWagg72]

This goalie's career already peaked, why on earth would you give up your 10th pick for a 34 year old goalie? Isn't this goalie hitting free agency after this season? I could care less about giving up Bahl, but kind of feel Fitzpatrick through that asset out to save his job.

Really stupid trade, sorry. This team is nowhere close to competing with Panthers or Oilers right now. We could have used that pick for a strong younger player. Our GM is looking like a dumb rookie.

You know what I changed my mine....terrible asset management to include the 10oa pick this year! I just don't know why all the reports didn't mention it but Fitz got fleeced!

 

[BurntToast]

It’s really simple.

Let’s say Fitz was able to get Ullmark or Saros and by some miracle the trade cost was the same, there was a risk of losing them within the year or giving them a 7/8 mil AVV contract x7.

The Devils keep any top 10 pick, kept Holtz/Mercer and only lost Bahl for a cost controlled goalie. Markstrom short term contract is more a benefit, than a hinderance. The first was for cap flexibility.

 

[JimEIV]

Kevin Bahl is not a premium asset, no. Sure, the first round pick is what it is, but the goaltending market is about as upside down as I can remember with a surplus of buyers and not enough sellers.

There is obvious risk with the move, but Fitz’s hands were as close to tied as can be with needing to make a move for a more proven commodity after years of potential band aids not working. Even if this is a larger band aid, Markstrom has been one of the better goalies in the league over the past few season analytically and Fitz really didn’t give up much given the first is next year and top 10 protected on top of the salary retention.

This move still provides us flexibility without having to give up more assets in addition to an extension for guys like Ullmark or Saros. If you need a goalie in this market, you have to pay some sort of price. I don’t think the price we paid was that exorbitant.

How is Markstrom one of the better goalies in the league over the last few years

Here are all the goalies that have played more than 120 games over the last 3 years...there are 25 of them. Markstrom is 15th in Save% over that time. He's barely better than Vitek who's 19th on the list....

NHL Stats

The official source for NHL Stats including skaters, goalies, teams stats and more.

www.nhl.com

But beyond that ..past performance of of 35 year old is tenuous at best.

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

A first round pick and a starting 23 year old Dman aren't premium assets?


Just think we gave up a 2nd and 4th for Micro Mueller...

We don’t have the talentless toilet paper lineup with no prospects anymore. Kevin Bahl is nowhere close to a premium asset on this team.

 

[Zippy316]

How is Markstrom one of the better goalies in the league over the last few years

Here are all the goalies that have played more than 120 games over the last 3 years...there are 25 of them. Markstrom is 13th in Save% over that time. He's barely better than Vitek who's 19th on the list....

NHL Stats

The official source for NHL Stats including skaters, goalies, teams stats and more.

www.nhl.com

But beyond that ..past performance of of 35 year old is tenuous at best.

Couple of good posts about Markstrom:





Quite a few analytics guys that put his goaltending performance last year as top five in the league. Micah McCurdy even goes out of his way to say that Markstrom is a goaltender where SV% unfairly paints him in a bad light.

Goaltending is a particular position where it’s really hard to judge based on a lot of factors. Analytics there seem to be particularly useful.

 

[JimEIV]

We don’t have the talentless toilet paper lineup with no prospects anymore. Kevin Bahl is nowhere close to a premium asset on this team.

Kevin Bahl was easily the 3rd best young defender in the organization after Luke and Nemec...and our prospects do suck... except for Casey.

 

[Zippy316]

Kevin Bahl was easily the 3rd best young defender in the organization after Luke and Nemec...and our prospects do suck... except for Casey.

Depending on who Fitzgerald gets to address the defense, it makes a bit of sense to move on from Bahl though. It would continue to be rough goings trying to develop Bahl at the same time as Luke/Nemec.

Given the make up of our D, I’d much rather swap Bahl for a guy like Dillon. Would give you four veterans, Luke, and Nemec as your main D core. A passable Smith type as #7 would be even better.