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

[NjDevsRR]

I think Fitz learned three things in 2023-2024

Ruff needed to go

Needed a veteran starting goalie

Forwards needed to be faster and bigger


He has gotten two of those corrected. I have faith he will find the correct complimentary forwards.

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

Fitz already back yappin'

Probably picked it up from the Latinas in SoFlo when he was a Panthers player down there in the 90's, holy hell.

Because he's solid piece that would've been extremely useful to this team next season... even if in a Brendan Smith role

And no doubt he will be significantly more valuable than Markstrom in two years.

I would have much rather seen Holtz moved

If that's how you're building your NHL team, you're A) never making a trade a win now trade B) you're never going to be a Cup winner because you're always going to prioritize the future over the current needs of your group at trade deadline/offseason when you're close to winning one.

 

[NjDevsRR]

Probably picked it up from the Latinas

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

View attachment 885047

Never said I blamed him

I think Fitz learned three things in 2023-2024

Ruff needed to go

Needed a veteran starting goalie

Forwards needed to be faster and bigger


He has gotten two of those corrected. I have faith he will find the correct complimentary forwards.

Pretty fair, it's also an indictment of what he thought post Carolina series too. As much shit as we've given Fitz, it's a very good trait in a GM to realize their f***ups very quickly and correct them like you said.

 

[MadDevil]

Kevin Bahl, the new Jon Merrill.

 

[Nona Di Giuseppe]

full trade details out I went from “eh, kinda hate it” to “eh, kinda fine with it.”

surprised Bahl+1st couldn’t bring back a better goalie (like Ullmark?)

what? add so, so, much more.

the over valuing of this 1st is hilarious

 

[Forge]

The folks at Calgary Puck must be SEETHING

A couple of them tried to run their laps about how the others were talking about Mercer and 10 and whatever else, but the board as a whole was like, "nah, that was only a couple of people" and the trade was mostly met with positive reviews. They have a poll up and 5 people disliked the return out of like 300 votes.


They gave kudos to Conroy for making Fitz crack because one of their insiders says that the day before, Fitz was only offering a third and went to a first. It's some funny shit how much they hate Fitzgerald basically on nothing but randoms saying stuff and then just running with it as a site

 

[My3Sons]

Yes, people are underrating Bahl. He’ll have a nice career in the NHL when Holtz playing the SHL.

I’d want Bahl over Holtz too if I was Calgary.

But unlike some, I get over lost players relatively quickly. As opposed to, you know, still crying about players we lost last off-season.

Why did Nj let Beau Bennett go in free agency?

 

[Nubmer6]

Why did Nj let Beau Bennett go in free agency?

Wasn't it because his middle name(s) was "oft injured"?

 

[TheUnseenHand]

what? add so, so, much more.

the over valuing of this 1st is hilarious

The overvaluing of goalies has gotten completely out of hand. So much more to a first round pick and a young roster player for Ullmark? Like what? It's absolutely assinie to think Ullmark it going to command "so, so much more" than Markstrom. Maybe instead of a first and a roster player it will be a first, a roster player and a second. You aren't getting some crazy huge package for freaking Ullmark. Fitz overpaid because he probably had to if he didn't want his job to be in jeopardy. That doesn't mean other GMs will too.

 

[Brooklyndevil]

Not crazy about the deal, however, we needed a goaltender. I just wish he was a bit younger. Fitz has his work cut out. We need a LD, 3 line center and some beef on the wing. Good luck.

 

[JimEIV]

If that's how you're building your NHL team, you're A) never making a trade a win now trade B) you're never going to be a Cup winner because you're always going to prioritize the future over the current needs of your group at trade deadline/offseason when you're close to winning one.

Such a dumb comment when the very next sentence after the one you bolded is I would rather have seen Holtz traded...that pretty much contradicts your entire point.

 

[My3Sons]

Such a dumb comment when the very next sentence after the one you bolded is I would rather have seen Holtz traded...that pretty much contradicts your entire point.

Did you go to the doctor yet? That’s more important than arguing about the roster.

 

[Triumph]

I think Fitz learned three things in 2023-2024

Ruff needed to go

Needed a veteran starting goalie

Forwards needed to be faster and bigger


He has gotten two of those corrected. I have faith he will find the correct complimentary forwards.

I don't think the team will get faster this off-season. I think it will get better, I don't think Fitz is looking for speed, and I don't think the team will try to play like they did in 22-23.

 

[JimEIV]

Did you go to the doctor yet? That’s more important than arguing about the roster.

Yes. I went Wednesday. Impingement Syndrome was the initial now it's another injury to the tendon and head of the bicep. An MRI to follow. Hopefully it's going to be just more therapy.

 

[BurntToast]

There is a scarcity of goalies.

Fitz did his due diligence. The Devils were linked to every available goalie. He confirmed it himself. I wasn’t pro Markstrom until I realized the flexibility he brings.

Past arguments:

1. The Devils Only need average goaltending and that was proven when VTech and Schmid got the Devils to the second round.

2. You don’t need the best goalie to win. Bob and Skinner had some ups and downs for sure.

Cory Schneider said he didn’t like the uncertainty of having Markstom for 2 years but Saros and Ullmark only have 1 year left on their contracts.

Saros would cost the most. Cost the most to get and his contract would be hefty.

Ullmark stopped a trade to LA, and might not want to go to certain east coast teams. He is an amazing 1B, but he has an injury history and he benefited from a favorable workload.

 

[Saugus]

Probably picked it up from the Latinas in SoFlo when he was a Panthers player down there in the 90's, holy hell.

He should consider himself lucky if that;s the only thing he picked up from the girls in South Florida.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

Keep protecting that 35 year old goalie champ, let that one sink in deep.

Jacob Markstrom is the Devils goalie the next 2 years.

I am sorry this bothers you so much. I guess maybe watch another team? Idk what to tell you man

 

[guitarguyvic]

I will tell you right now that I doubt a mid-30’s tandem of average goalies is going to make a big difference if the way this team plays defensively doesn’t improve big time.

Also, the likelihood of at least one of them missing a non-insignificant amount of games due to injury seems pretty darned decent.

 

[ndkjr70]

what? add so, so, much more.

the over valuing of this 1st is hilarious

Boston fans are hoping for a 2nd and a 3rd for Ullmark. He's a rental. What do you think his acquisition price is going to be?

I would be shocked if Ullmark goes for MORE than a 24 year old 2nd/3rd pairing defenseman and a 1st round pick.

stop it, he's literally pushing 90. he's earned the right to say whatever tf he wants.

is this a joke that went over my head or did I actually just chirp a f***in 90 year old lol

 

[Saugus]

I will tell you right now that I doubt a mid-30’s tandem of average goalies is going to make a big difference if the way this team plays defensively doesn’t improve big time.

Also, the likelihood of at least one of them missing a non-insignificant amount of games due to injury seems pretty darned decent.

The new coach should help with the defensive structure. No way in hell Keefe is going to consistently send two defensemen below the goal line like Ruff did.

 

[JimEIV]

Boston fans are hoping for a 2nd and a 3rd for Ullmark. He's a rental. What do you think his acquisition price is going to be?

I would be shocked if Ullmark goes for MORE than a 24 year old 2nd/3rd pairing defenseman and a 1st round pick.


is this a joke that went over my head or did I actually just chirp a f***in 90 year old lol

If Ullmark is traded for a 2nd and 3rd I might blow a gasket.

Of course I have no idea whether or not he was willing to come here....but if we paid a 1st and Bahl for a 35 year old temporary solution, when we could've had a better younger temporary solution for a 2nd and a 3rd....oof.

 

[Saugus]

is this a joke that went over my head or did I actually just chirp a f***in 90 year old lol

He's actually that old. I believe @Maine Fan has said elsewhere that he's 88?

 

[JimEIV]

Maybe we can get Ullmark at the trade deadline I'm sure we'll need another drummer by then

 

[Japam]

A goalie that allows early goals on a team that allows early goals. Sweet, they'll cancel each other out.