How do you feel about the Meier trade and Devils' package?

[None Shall Pass]

I picked C.

For this season in a vacuum, I LOVE the trade. Only player off the roster is Zetterlund, who I liked but isn't a huge loss. I loved Muk as a prospect, too, but I'm not losing sleep and you gotta give to get, so it is what it is. Meier himself is a great winger and fits a big need for us this season and going forward, so our roster has been upgraded in a big way.

What is weighing this trade down for me, who works as a risk manager and thus has to have everything to worry about always and its getting tedious, is a few things:
-Now we're going to have two top-line wings to go through contract horseshit this offseason, and that's annoying.
-Tied to the previous point, the cap uncertainty with the ongoing RSN implosion.
-Our top 2 picks for 2024 are held hostage for next year's deadline, which I'm surprised hasn't been mentioned all that much. We're potentially going to be running two rookie d-men and / or Smith on the backend next year. One of those picks could be a useful currency for a rental D next deadline that could be a huge need.
-Power forwards don't age well, and now we'll have to sign one who will be turning 27 at the start of next season to a 7-8 year deal; OR we'll have him for a $10M cap hit for a year before the saga restarts.
-Dude has never had a PPG season and the only full season he's played was the 56 game Covid season.
-Dude is also hurt right now. I'm sure its minor, but...

I'm on the more optimistic side of a "C" rating, ESPECIALLY for this season. But I'm not in love with the trade, sorry.

 

[Eggtimer]

I voted B

Z is the issue to me. I'd rather have traded Holtz that Zetterlund. It's not always about talent - sometimes it's about fit. I think Zetterlund was unique for us, and is the kind of player who'd shine in the playoffs.

I get that if Grier made Zetterlund a requirement, Fitz had to let him go. But, I think we created a (smaller) hole in order to fix another (bigger) one.

Edit: I think we're going to pay more in the future to find replacements for Zetterlund. I know he's not necessarily Jeannot - but see what Tampa's been paying for cheap middle six players ever since Coleman.

Holtz should have more value than Z amd we can always move Holtz if needed to get an excellent 3C.
Fotz retained a piece (Holtz ) that IMO has more value amd can be used to get a better return than what Z alone could get If we need it.
Our top 6 is deadly. Now make the bottom 6 as good as possible. We still have expendable assets left to do that.
I am hoping like hell we can see if Colton becomes available off the Lightnimg this off-season,

 

[tailfins]

Holtz should have more value than Z amd we can always move Holtz if needed to get an excellent 3C.
Fotz retained a piece (Holtz ) that IMO has more value amd can be used to get a better return than what Z alone could get If we need it.
Our top 6 is deadly. Now make the bottom 6 as good as possible. We still have expendable assets left to do that.
I am hoping like hell we can see if Colton becomes available off the Lightnimg this off-season,

I don't know what the negotiation was. If it was just a question of Holtz vs Zetterlund, then I agree that Fitz kept the higher value piece. But, if adding Holtz could have meant keeping Zettelund plus lowering the value of the 2024 conditional pick? Or getting back Bonino instead of Harrington? In those cases, I may have pulled the trigger on Holtz.

Also, in keeping Holtz, the Devils have committed themselves to generating value from him. Either they need to trade him or play him. Having him stay on the team and rot on the bench is useless. Zetterlund was at least playing.

 

[glenwo2]

If there's one thing I'm happy about.....it's the Devils package.


(come on now, you all know that was coming....lol)

 

[ChicksDigTheTrap]

He might stay by taking a pay cut, it’s hard to say what we’re working with in terms of open cap space without knowing what the plan is on defense, with goalies, what Bratt & Meier get, etc

I agree with others that it’s very unlikely that the plan is to go cheap, and without much depth, on defense.

IMO the goalies with have be Vitek/Schmid/Dawes. I cannot see cap space available for another vet.

 

[HugeInTheShire]

I'm not disappointed in any one piece they traded away, the only part that sucks even a little is giving up that much organizational depth, but this trade is a clear win right now, and if Meier signs to stick around it widens the gap.

 

[FooteBahl]

If there's one thing I'm happy about.....it's the Devils package.


(come on now, you all know that was coming....lol)

You beat (pun intended) me to it! You son of a b!t$*

 

[Clam Jensen]

I'm not disappointed in any one piece they traded away, the only part that sucks even a little is giving up that much organizational depth, but this trade is a clear win right now, and if Meier signs to stick around it widens the gap.

Organizational depth is what allows you to pull off a move like this.

 

[HugeInTheShire]

Organizational depth is what allows you to pull off a move like this.

I'm fully aware of this fact, the Devils are one of the few teams that could pull off this kind of trade and still have more than enough depth for not only the NHL but the AHL team to be competitive.

 

[Clam Jensen]

I'm fully aware of this fact, the Devils are one of the few teams that could pull off this kind of trade and still have more than enough depth for not only the NHL but the AHL team to be competitive.

Yessir, it’s a beautiful thing.

 

[Blender]

I'm not disappointed in any one piece they traded away, the only part that sucks even a little is giving up that much organizational depth, but this trade is a clear win right now, and if Meier signs to stick around it widens the gap.

The thing is we don't need as much organizational depth as we did before since we have filled many (almost all) of our key roles. Moving some depth to fill another is good asset management.

What we need to produce now to sustain success is a steady stream of overperforming ELCs for the bottom of the roster.

 

[HugeInTheShire]

Yessir, it’s a beautiful thing.

Fitz is putting on a master class of how to build a successful organization right now, every bigger contract he's signed will fall away right as the new guys need new deals, I don't think people really realize how well he's set this up, for right now and the future.

The thing is we don't need as much organizational depth as we did before since we have filled many (almost all) of our key roles. Moving some depth to fill another is good asset management.

What we need to produce now to sustain success is a steady stream of overperforming ELCs for the bottom of the roster.

100% agree.

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

I picked C.

For this season in a vacuum, I LOVE the trade. Only player off the roster is Zetterlund, who I liked but isn't a huge loss. I loved Muk as a prospect, too, but I'm not losing sleep and you gotta give to get, so it is what it is. Meier himself is a great winger and fits a big need for us this season and going forward, so our roster has been upgraded in a big way.

What is weighing this trade down for me, who works as a risk manager and thus has to have everything to worry about always and its getting tedious, is a few things:
-Now we're going to have two top-line wings to go through contract horseshit this offseason, and that's annoying.
-Tied to the previous point, the cap uncertainty with the ongoing RSN implosion.
-Our top 2 picks for 2024 are held hostage for next year's deadline, which I'm surprised hasn't been mentioned all that much. We're potentially going to be running two rookie d-men and / or Smith on the backend next year. One of those picks could be a useful currency for a rental D next deadline that could be a huge need.
-Power forwards don't age well, and now we'll have to sign one who will be turning 27 at the start of next season to a 7-8 year deal; OR we'll have him for a $10M cap hit for a year before the saga restarts.
-Dude has never had a PPG season and the only full season he's played was the 56 game Covid season.
-Dude is also hurt right now. I'm sure its minor, but...

I'm on the more optimistic side of a "C" rating, ESPECIALLY for this season. But I'm not in love with the trade, sorry.

We're worried about all of sudden having to pay players? Isn't that a good thing in theory? I wouldn't worry so much about this, we have arguably the best contract in the sport with Hughes, some other pretty good value ones in Nico, Siegs, Vanecek, etc. Fair point about next year's picks but look at the deadline this year, teams are using firsts far into the future for adds, maybe a trade happens that we don't see where we recoup a pick here and there from this Meier trade. And Meier's billed as a power forward but the guy is above average skater for his size + has a good shot, he'll age perfectly fine next to our top 2 centers. Second to last point, look at the trash SJ was icing in recent years.

 

[MachoDiablo]

The thing is we don't need as much organizational depth as we did before since we have filled many (almost all) of our key roles. Moving some depth to fill another is good asset management.

What we need to produce now to sustain success is a steady stream of overperforming ELCs for the bottom of the roster.

Yep, it's why I picked B but very much border on A - we used organizational depth to make a move for a difference maker that perfectly fits the team, and I'm not afraid that Fitz will suddenly go insane and just start shipping out every bit of depth or draft capital for marginal help or players who don't fit this team's needs and window well.

 

[FascinationStreet]

I only picked B because there hasn't been an extension yet. Once that is done, its a grand slam to me.
I loved zetts but you gotta give to get. Yes we lost some depth but as thoroughly outlined those spots are going to be few and far between. Also as many have said, not actually giving up Holtz in this deal is major if he can get his act together. If Holtz becomes something, whether a value asset in another move or a player on this roster, timo signs (bratt too) this goes from grandslam trade to franchise defining and legit contention for the next several years.

 

[Classic Devil]

I only picked B because there hasn't been an extension yet. Once that is done, its a grand slam to me.
I loved zetts but you gotta give to get. Yes we lost some depth but as thoroughly outlined those spots are going to be few and far between. Also as many have said, not actually giving up Holtz in this deal is major if he can get his act together. If Holtz becomes something, whether a value asset in another move or a player on this roster, timo signs (bratt too) this goes from grandslam trade to franchise defining and legit contention for the next several years.

Yeah if we get Meier under a fair or under-budget extension this is an A deal easy.

 

[Poppy Whoa Sonnet]

Fitz is putting on a master class of how to build a successful organization right now, every bigger contract he's signed will fall away right as the new guys need new deals, I don't think people really realize how well he's set this up, for right now and the future.

Is anyone even saying he's doing a bad job on this board? I know some people complain about certain players or decisions / draft picks that got made but I can't think of anyone that's sort of carrying the flag for "Fitz is doing a bad job overall" and making the argument sincerely.

The only things I think he's even been really criticized for involve some draft picks and the Palat contract, and bringing back Wood instead of signing Bratt long term, and you know what I'm convinced Fitz IS doing a bad job.

 

[FascinationStreet]

Yeah if we get Meier under a fair or under-budget extension this is an A deal easy.

we all need to revel in that fact that holtz was not given up in this deal too, that becomes enormous if he can get up to nhl speed

 

[HugeInTheShire]

Is anyone even saying he's doing a bad job on this board? I know some people complain about certain players or decisions / draft picks that got made but I can't think of anyone that's sort of carrying the flag for "Fitz is doing a bad job overall" and making the argument sincerely.

The only things I think he's even been really criticized for involve some draft picks and the Palat contract, and bringing back Wood instead of signing Bratt long term, and you know what I'm convinced Fitz IS doing a bad job.

I was referring to other teams fans when I said that people didn't realize how good he's doing.
They just see that the Devils are good right now and have a couple more guys coming, but they don't realize how many more players they have coming besides L Hughes and Nemec.

 

[Poppy Whoa Sonnet]

I was referring to other teams fans when I said that people didn't realize how good he's doing.
They just see that the Devils are good right now and have a couple more guys coming, but they don't realize how many more players they have coming besides L Hughes and Nemec.

Oh yeah absolutely. The guys looking at charts and who understand contracts/age curves though...they see it, and it's been a blast watching them discuss it. Next 5 years are going to be a great time to be a Devils fan.

 

[SJinNewJersey]

I am still recovering from the sticker shock. I really hated given up the 2024 pick. But I do realize with where we are headed, those picks just aren't as valuable because of where we are going to finish. I also really liked Big Z, he brought something to the team that can't easily replace, He seemed to make any line he was on better, but he was also a player you could plug in on any line and he didn't seem out of place. It also wiped out a lot of D depth, but those guys most likely might never become regulars in our line up.

I also didn't see the need to make a huge trade now, our window is just opening. There are 5 other really good teams in the East this year. We could face Rags, Canes, Bruins and Avs potentially. I thought we should get a taste of the playoffs this year, then look to build on it.

Hopefully when I see Timo in a Devils jersey playing all this will be quickly forgotten.

 

[John Pedro]

We gave a lot of quantity and keep our top prospects and young roster players. That's a massive dub

Now re-sign Meier to a 8y deal and it's perfect

I am still recovering from the sticker shock. I really hated given up the 2024 pick. But I do realize with where we are headed, those picks just aren't as valuable because of where we are going to finish. I also really liked Big Z, he brought something to the team that can't easily replace, He seemed to make any line he was on better, but he was also a player you could plug in on any line and he didn't seem out of place. It also wiped out a lot of D depth, but those guys most likely might never become regulars in our line up.

I also didn't see the need to make a huge trade now, our window is just opening. There are 5 other really good teams in the East this year. We could face Rags, Canes, Bruins and Avs potentially. I thought we should get a taste of the playoffs this year, then look to build on it.

Hopefully when I see Timo in a Devils jersey playing all this will be quickly forgotten.

24' pick gonna be a second rounder unless we really show that we're truly contenders and make ECF. While I like a lot our chances against the Rags, not sure we are ready to beat a team like the Canes who'll bore us to death

 

[Devs3cups]

I picked C.

For this season in a vacuum, I LOVE the trade. Only player off the roster is Zetterlund, who I liked but isn't a huge loss. I loved Muk as a prospect, too, but I'm not losing sleep and you gotta give to get, so it is what it is. Meier himself is a great winger and fits a big need for us this season and going forward, so our roster has been upgraded in a big way.

What is weighing this trade down for me, who works as a risk manager and thus has to have everything to worry about always and its getting tedious, is a few things:
-Now we're going to have two top-line wings to go through contract horseshit this offseason, and that's annoying.
-Tied to the previous point, the cap uncertainty with the ongoing RSN implosion.
-Our top 2 picks for 2024 are held hostage for next year's deadline, which I'm surprised hasn't been mentioned all that much. We're potentially going to be running two rookie d-men and / or Smith on the backend next year. One of those picks could be a useful currency for a rental D next deadline that could be a huge need.
-Power forwards don't age well, and now we'll have to sign one who will be turning 27 at the start of next season to a 7-8 year deal; OR we'll have him for a $10M cap hit for a year before the saga restarts.
-Dude has never had a PPG season and the only full season he's played was the 56 game Covid season.
-Dude is also hurt right now. I'm sure its minor, but...

I'm on the more optimistic side of a "C" rating, ESPECIALLY for this season. But I'm not in love with the trade, sorry.

I see a lot of mention about RSN and the recent network bankruptcies, I tried to find the post and didn’t but I think it was @Unknown Caller that had a pretty good explanation as to why it wouldn’t really affect the cap. If he wishes of course, maybe he could enlighten us again. I sure know I’d like to understand further lol.

 

[Clam Jensen]

I am still recovering from the sticker shock. I really hated given up the 2024 pick. But I do realize with where we are headed, those picks just aren't as valuable because of where we are going to finish. I also really liked Big Z, he brought something to the team that can't easily replace, He seemed to make any line he was on better, but he was also a player you could plug in on any line and he didn't seem out of place. It also wiped out a lot of D depth, but those guys most likely might never become regulars in our line up.

I also didn't see the need to make a huge trade now, our window is just opening. There are 5 other really good teams in the East this year. We could face Rags, Canes, Bruins and Avs potentially. I thought we should get a taste of the playoffs this year, then look to build on it.

Hopefully when I see Timo in a Devils jersey playing all this will be quickly forgotten.

This is totally rationale and I do not disagree, but to play devils advocate, and as a Yankees fan, I thought the same thing about the 2017 squad that almost beat the stros in the ALCS. Flash forward to today, and all the Yankees have done is get embarrassed by the Red Sox and Stros in the playoffs.

My point is, sometimes windows open sooner than you think and you just need to strap the heck in because none of us knows what the future holds, but adding Timo to this team in this moment makes us immediate serious contenders. And as I’ve said ad nauseam in other threads, I put my full faith in Fitz (re: contracts getting done long term)

 

[HugeInTheShire]

Oh yeah absolutely. The guys looking at charts and who understand contracts/age curves though...they see it, and it's been a blast watching them discuss it. Next 5 years are going to be a great time to be a Devils fan.

It's like all when they think that NJ can't possibly keep both Meier and Bratt long-term because their GM's have mismanaged the cap, but we're sitting here thinking they can easily afford to keep both, and add more if needed.
Getting Nico and Jack to commit long term at a discount will pay dividends for years to come.
Reading Brodeur's book, he talks about always being willing to take less to be competitive and I see that happening once again in NJ, wouldn't be at all surprised to see both Bratt and Meier take less than people think