Confirmed with Link: Haula to NSH for Hanzel and a 2025 4th round pick
- Thread starter NoNecksCurse
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Armourboy
Hey! We suck!
If there is more in the pipeline then this move is fine, but I'm not going to get on anyone for flying off the handle. Trotz hasn't done anything that makes much sense and I don't blame anyone for not believing the next step is going to happen.
Porter Stoutheart
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I just don't see it as "The Plan" that we're going to trade McCarron/Smith/Sissons this off-season and get even better returns than that #99 pick we just gave up. And therefore need Haula to backfill. i.e. I don't believe there is some kind of bigger picture strategy here where this is a calculated "win" for us in the short term view.
Now, that's not to say it might not still turn out okay-ish down the road. Heck, Brunette will probably play Haula 17 minutes a night, and the guy will put up ok numbers, and we know from his last go-round here that he has a pretty good motor and might be tradeable at the TDL for a 3rd round pick, plus the 2026 draft depth might be better than 2025, so this might eek out a "narrow win" for us in the end, just on pick values. I just don't believe that's the mental math Trotz was doing when making this trade. Because it would have been an even bigger win if NJ had given us a 4th to offload Haula's contract and then we picked up an additional 3rd trading him at the deadline. If leveraging our Cap space and strategizing for draft picks was the endgame, then that would have made more sense.
In the meantime, Haula eats a roster spot and icetime that would have been much more valuable for us to invest in a younger player. So I'm definitely cynical about this trade. Unapologetically cynical.
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Roman Yoshi
#164303
The "problem" that Trotz has is every move he makes feels wildly not in line with his previous quotes and moves. Trotz consistently talks about the plan being in pen or whatever, but it's obvious to everyone that no one really knows or understands what Trotz plan is outside of 501 Broadway and even then I'm not convinced they do.
My usual source gave me 0 confidence yesterday that people understand Trotz vision and called the move "questionable" and this is someone who is usually very positive about the organization.
To put perspective on this we just gave up more than what we got in return for Tomasino. We paid more for Haula than we got for Janko. We gave up more for Haula than we did Fabbro and I know this is Poile but more than we got for Tolvanen.
It's just poor asset management. And continues to be. Ice time is an asset and we shouldn't block ice time from kids at this point with old has beens.
When even Emma Lingen pans the move on X you know you really goofed.
My usual source gave me 0 confidence yesterday that people understand Trotz vision and called the move "questionable" and this is someone who is usually very positive about the organization.
To put perspective on this we just gave up more than what we got in return for Tomasino. We paid more for Haula than we got for Janko. We gave up more for Haula than we did Fabbro and I know this is Poile but more than we got for Tolvanen.
It's just poor asset management. And continues to be. Ice time is an asset and we shouldn't block ice time from kids at this point with old has beens.
When even Emma Lingen pans the move on X you know you really goofed.
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Armourboy
Hey! We suck!
I don't think anyone knows what the plan is, I'm not even convinced Trotz does either. I think he hears about a deal, convinces himself it's the right move to make, and then does it.I just don't see it as "The Plan" that we're going to trade McCarron/Smith/Sissons this off-season and get even better returns than that #99 pick we just gave up. And therefore need Haula to backfill. i.e. I don't believe there is some kind of bigger picture strategy here where this is a calculated "win" for us in the short term view.
Now, that's not to say it might not still turn out okay-ish down the road. Heck, Brunette will probably play Haula 17 minutes a night, and the guy will put up ok numbers, and we know from his last go-round here that he has a pretty good motor and might be tradeable at the TDL for a 3rd round pick, plus the 2026 draft depth might be better than 2025, so this might eek out a "narrow win" for us in the end, just on pick values. I just don't believe that's the mental math Trotz was doing when making this trade. Because it would have been an even bigger win if NJ had given us a 4th to offload Haula's contract and then we picked up an additional 3rd trading him at the deadline. If leveraging our Cap space and strategizing for draft picks was the endgame, then that would have made more sense.
In the meantime, Haula eats a roster spot and icetime that would have been much more valuable for us to invest in a younger player. So I'm definitely cynical about this trade. Unapologetically cynical.
We've already learned to not believe a thing Trotz says. Any statement he makes isn't worth the breath he used to make. If he said we might need to take a step back we are just as likely to see him try and load up on a bunch of Vets.
herzausstein
Registered User
Armourboy
Hey! We suck!
I think publicly there is, problem is when the time comes the old coach that would always choose Vets over young players does exactly that.
Predsanddead24
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We will almost certainly see other moves but I'm pretty skeptical this is all part of some big plan. My guess is Bruno liked Haula from his time in NJ and so when the opportunity arose to get him Trotz took it.
Trotz plan is very simple. He now has 30 plus other GM's tying up his phone line hoping to take advantage of his incompetence.
I don’t mind dealing 4th as we have surplus of picks, I just don’t understand the point of acquiring Haula. It’s not as if we have a shortage of middling vets.
Gh24
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- Feb 12, 2014
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No no no, you got it wrong. Marchy out, kids get promoted and that leaves a need for 3rd line winger
glenngineer
Registered User
This move in a vacuum makes no sense. As others have stated, if there's a move or a series of moves that happen after this, maybe this is acceptable.
On the flip side, what does it say to any of the youth trying to make the roster come September? No space for you unless you outplay older vets or guys who play the right way.
I was not excited about Wood at last year's rookie camp. On the flip side, his short stint with us at the end of the season gave me hope that he could actually make the roster at some point. At the very least, much like other youngsters before him, I thought he outplayed his 4th line teammates.
I know the road to Nashville goes through Milwaukee and this is the problem with the franchise. This is their motto and MO, yet they don't give any credence to a kid who comes in and earns a spot on this roster and bypassing Milwaukee. Are there things that Wood needs to learn, sure. Would it hurt for him to go to Milwaukee for a bit, probably not. On the flip side, would it hurt for him to be playing in the NHL if he comes to camp and earns it? I don't think so.
All that to say, Trotz is saying one thing to the public and his actions are saying something much different. If you're going to say, we need to see what these kids can do and continue to play plugs like McCarron and Smith and then go out and acquire guys like Bunting and Haula, you're pretty much going against everything you've stated. Why bother talking about your plan when it really isn't your plan.
I've said this before but GM's have to have a vision for the upcoming season while also trying to predict where the team will be 5 years down the road. Really scary to think about both those scenarios when it comes down to it.
On the flip side, what does it say to any of the youth trying to make the roster come September? No space for you unless you outplay older vets or guys who play the right way.
I was not excited about Wood at last year's rookie camp. On the flip side, his short stint with us at the end of the season gave me hope that he could actually make the roster at some point. At the very least, much like other youngsters before him, I thought he outplayed his 4th line teammates.
I know the road to Nashville goes through Milwaukee and this is the problem with the franchise. This is their motto and MO, yet they don't give any credence to a kid who comes in and earns a spot on this roster and bypassing Milwaukee. Are there things that Wood needs to learn, sure. Would it hurt for him to go to Milwaukee for a bit, probably not. On the flip side, would it hurt for him to be playing in the NHL if he comes to camp and earns it? I don't think so.
All that to say, Trotz is saying one thing to the public and his actions are saying something much different. If you're going to say, we need to see what these kids can do and continue to play plugs like McCarron and Smith and then go out and acquire guys like Bunting and Haula, you're pretty much going against everything you've stated. Why bother talking about your plan when it really isn't your plan.
I've said this before but GM's have to have a vision for the upcoming season while also trying to predict where the team will be 5 years down the road. Really scary to think about both those scenarios when it comes down to it.
The thing to me here is that NJ should have 'paid' the Preds a 4th round pick to get rid of Haula, not the other way around. Is Trotz so bad at his job he could not find one team to give up anything for Fabbro, a pretty damn good defenseman, but actually sends assets to NJ to allow them to unload Haula? What are we even doing here? Terrible.
Gh24
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One year left at 3.15M is hardly an anchor that needs a sweetener. He's effective as a pest type player who scores around 0.5 PPG and wore A for last two seasons. Not necessarily a player I think we needed, but it's not like he wouldn't be an asset
Viqsi
"that chick from Ohio"
Well, Portzline just mentioned the Jackets want a right-shot center to help win more faceoffs...
Jersey Fan 12
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Predators Acquire Erik Haula From New Jersey | Nashville Predators
Forward Appeared in 69 games With New Jersey During the 2024-25 Season; Skated With Nashville in the 2020-21 Campaignwww.nhl.com
What the f*** are we doing?
34 years old played in 69 games last year and had 21 points.
NoNeck quoted as Haula “helping to accelerate the development” of young players.
Nashville got the better end of this deal by far.
Two years ago nobody had a bigger role in getting the Devils to the playoffs and into the second round; babysitting Jack Hughes and doing all the heavy lifting so he could freelance and ignore his defensive play.
I listen to a podcast and they are extolling how Tom Fitzgerald should be GM of the Year for "making changes". He made changes LAST summer and we saw how that worked.
In reality, the Devils got a fourth round pick and an ECHL defenseman for a solid two-way forward.
The young forwards in Nashville will benefit greatly playing with Haula.
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Jersey Fan 12
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How so? He's been there before and had to waive his no trade to be there. Just escaping the taxes in New Jersey and the rudderless chaos that is now the Devils' organization make this an attractive move. Barry Trotz' track record is far more impressive than that of Fitz and Sheldon Keefe.
herzausstein
Registered User
They also seem to like former predators players. Might be a good fit.Well, Portzline just mentioned the Jackets want a right-shot center to help win more faceoffs...
I dont think there are many upset about the cost. I think most just dont understand what the heck we are doing. Trotz says he's wanting to leave space for young talent then goes out and gets a 34 year old player. Haula is a good fit for the bottom 6 but.... now we have 4 forwards over 34 - Marchessault, Stamkos, RoR, Haula - and another 5 over 30 - Smith, McCarron, Bunting, Sissons, Forsberg. This forward group is very old by NHL standards.
Not all of those players are going to return. The offseason just started.
Jersey Fan 12
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If that is still the case at the end of the summer you definitely have a point. I'd imagine this is the first step with more to come.
Predsanddead24
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Barry Trotz's record as a coach is more impressive sure., but his record as a GM has been pretty bad so far. If you think the Devils are in rudderless chaos I'd love to introduce you to our current situation.
Yeah even if we move out one or two vets we're still going to have something like two vets for each young forward who makes the roster. Like how many vets can you possibly need to mentor the young players.
