Value of: Jason Zucker to New Jersey

[AKL]

I'd hope Joe offers them their choice of Kerfoot+2nd or Jost for Zucker at the draft. He'd be such a great fit riding shotgun to MacKinnon.

I would be a fan of something around Jost for Zucker

 

[cgf]

I would be a fan of something around Jost for Zucker

I would to, although I suspect that Jost coming on strong down the stretch here might prevent Joe from moving him this offseason for fears that he might "break out" after the trade. But it would be a swap that seems to me like it would help both teams, we get Zuck to fly around next to MacK n Mikko/Landy as we try to push from bubble-team to contenders this offseason; you guys get the talented young NHLer still on the rise, for your re-tool.

 

[PuckInTheNards]

Yeah, I’d do Jost for Zucker, too.

 

[Smitty426]

A top 6 core of Hall, Hughes, Hischier, Palmieri and Bratt is a solid start. You know what you’re getting in Hall and Palmieri – just a question of if they can stay healthy. Hischier improved this season and should continue to do so next year. Bratt needs to be more consistent, but has shown he can be a top 6 player in this league. Obviously remains to be seen what Hughes can offer his rookie season, but he should be a big upgrade to NJ’s offense.

Center depth has long been an issue in NJ, but with Hughes, Hischier, Zajac and Zacha it’s now a strength. If injuries hit, you also have Coleman who can slot in a C (or if they want to move Zacha to wing).

Devils shouldn’t be entertaining moving Zacha as part of a deal for Zucker. While Zacha’s overall point total for the season wasn’t very impressive, he was a much different player earlier in the season versus at the end, especially the last dozen games when he had 11 points. He’s also very strong defensively (3rd among Devils forwards after Zajac and Coleman in PK TOI for the 4th ranked PK in the league – on a team that finished 3rd to last in the league and had awful goaltending the first half of the year), has improved considerably on faceoffs each season and has not had a lot of PP time. He just turned 22 this month and despite what fans outside the organization think, I believe the Devils still consider him part of the core going forward.

Devils have a ton of cap space and should look to make a free agent signing for a top 6 winger first before going to trade route. And if they swing and miss for a top 6 winger in free agency, then look at the trade route but it would more likely be something similar to the Palmieri/Johansson acquisitions which were only for draft picks.
Goaltending is not as much of a question mark as it was a few months ago. Schneider finished the season really strong and his type of injury was one that also took other goalies a long time to work back from, while Blackwood had a very good rookie season. There’s no question that those two will be splitting goaltending duties next season – just a matter if they can replicate their performances from the past few weeks/months in front of a much improved team versus the one ravaged by injuries for NJ down the stretch.

Defense is the biggest problem for NJ going into next season. Including pending RFA’s, NJ has 7 defensemen heading into next season plus two rookies in Smith and Davies that figure to challenge for a spot. Will certainly be a few changes though in free agency and/or trades between now and October for the defense.

I don’t think Shero has any intention of being sellers at the deadline next season. With two #1 picks over the past 3 seasons, they really shouldn’t need another year of “tanking”. I guess if everything goes wrong and they are way out of playoff contention next trade deadline and/or Hall will not re-sign and instead is dealt, then that’s a possibility – but I think NJ is in for a big offseason and could certainly be right back in the playoffs next season.

Well said!

 

[Ricky Bobby]

A top 6 core of Hall, Hughes, Hischier, Palmieri and Bratt is a solid start. You know what you’re getting in Hall and Palmieri – just a question of if they can stay healthy. Hischier improved this season and should continue to do so next year. Bratt needs to be more consistent, but has shown he can be a top 6 player in this league. Obviously remains to be seen what Hughes can offer his rookie season, but he should be a big upgrade to NJ’s offense.

Center depth has long been an issue in NJ, but with Hughes, Hischier, Zajac and Zacha it’s now a strength. If injuries hit, you also have Coleman who can slot in a C (or if they want to move Zacha to wing).

Devils shouldn’t be entertaining moving Zacha as part of a deal for Zucker. While Zacha’s overall point total for the season wasn’t very impressive, he was a much different player earlier in the season versus at the end, especially the last dozen games when he had 11 points. He’s also very strong defensively (3rd among Devils forwards after Zajac and Coleman in PK TOI for the 4th ranked PK in the league – on a team that finished 3rd to last in the league and had awful goaltending the first half of the year), has improved considerably on faceoffs each season and has not had a lot of PP time. He just turned 22 this month and despite what fans outside the organization think, I believe the Devils still consider him part of the core going forward.

Devils have a ton of cap space and should look to make a free agent signing for a top 6 winger first before going to trade route. And if they swing and miss for a top 6 winger in free agency, then look at the trade route but it would more likely be something similar to the Palmieri/Johansson acquisitions which were only for draft picks.
Goaltending is not as much of a question mark as it was a few months ago. Schneider finished the season really strong and his type of injury was one that also took other goalies a long time to work back from, while Blackwood had a very good rookie season. There’s no question that those two will be splitting goaltending duties next season – just a matter if they can replicate their performances from the past few weeks/months in front of a much improved team versus the one ravaged by injuries for NJ down the stretch.

Defense is the biggest problem for NJ going into next season. Including pending RFA’s, NJ has 7 defensemen heading into next season plus two rookies in Smith and Davies that figure to challenge for a spot. Will certainly be a few changes though in free agency and/or trades between now and October for the defense.

I don’t think Shero has any intention of being sellers at the deadline next season. With two #1 picks over the past 3 seasons, they really shouldn’t need another year of “tanking”. I guess if everything goes wrong and they are way out of playoff contention next trade deadline and/or Hall will not re-sign and instead is dealt, then that’s a possibility – but I think NJ is in for a big offseason and could certainly be right back in the playoffs next season.

So average at forward next season and lots of question marks throughout the roster?

The Habs, Flyers, Panthers and Sabres all finished ahead of the Devils and still missed the playoffs. They also have more reasons to think they'd still be then the Devils. Then there's the 8 teams who made the playoffs.

I think the Devils have some nice young pieces but they really need to continue stocking the system and are 2 or 3 seasons away from being competitive (and able to sustain it).

 

[LV Knight Life]

So average at forward next season and lots of question marks throughout the roster?

The Habs, Flyers, Panthers and Sabres all finished ahead of the Devils and still missed the playoffs. They also have more reasons to think they'd still be then the Devils. Then there's the 8 teams who made the playoffs.

I think the Devils have some nice young pieces but they really need to continue stocking the system and are 2 or 3 seasons away from being competitive (and able to sustain it).

I can see Jersey surprising next year with a healthy Hall, Hughes and the Schneider we saw in the second half of the season. Have to believe Shero does something with cap space this year and makes a few moves with teams up against the cap.

 

[spockBokk]

CAR 1st ~20OA or 36OA (BUF 2nd) + a Checker (Kuokkanen/Roy) for Zucker?

 

[AKL]

CAR 1st ~20OA or 36OA (BUF 2nd) + a Checker (Kuokkanen/Roy) for Zucker?

No thanks

 

[Bazeek]

CAR 1st ~20OA or 36OA (BUF 2nd) + a Checker (Kuokkanen/Roy) for Zucker?

Wouldn't mind it, personally.

 

[57special]

I would to, although I suspect that Jost coming on strong down the stretch here might prevent Joe from moving him this offseason for fears that he might "break out" after the trade. But it would be a swap that seems to me like it would help both teams, we get Zuck to fly around next to MacK n Mikko/Landy as we try to push from bubble-team to contenders this offseason; you guys get the talented young NHLer still on the rise, for your re-tool.

why do i get the feeling that "talented young NHL'er on the rise" is Coloradan for "potential bust"?

 

[57special]

CAR 1st ~20OA or 36OA (BUF 2nd) + a Checker (Kuokkanen/Roy) for Zucker?

Too much. Give us worse players, and no picks! Does Rask have a brother?

 

[AKL]

why do i get the feeling that "talented young NHL'er on the rise" is Coloradan for "potential bust"?

Jost has looked good down the stretch and in the playoffs. I think he just turned 21 too. At the very least he’d be above Eriksson Ek on the depth chart.

 

[spockBokk]

Too much. Give us worse players, and no picks! Does Rask have a brother?

He does have a sis..here’s..... FANNY!!!!!

 

[cgf]

why do i get the feeling that "talented young NHL'er on the rise" is Coloradan for "potential bust"?

Because that phrasing is incredibly "used car salesman"-y

But Jost has really come on strong down the stretch for us...and has looked particularly good against the Flames in this series. Personally, I have longstanding questions about whether he has the skating to play C at his size, at least for us -- which is why I've viewed him as a W, not a C/W, on this team -- and that's a question we won't know the answer to for another year or two. That being said, his play has taken a big step since returning to the lineup and he's not just looking like he belongs in the NHL, but is making things happen.

Zucker would just fit our up-tempo style of play better and he's already the finished product. Whereas Jost still needs another offseason of working on his body & stride, and further NHL seasoning.

 

[57special]

Because that phrasing is incredibly "used car salesman"-y

But Jost has really come on strong down the stretch for us...and has looked particularly good against the Flames in this series. Personally, I have longstanding questions about whether he has the skating to play C at his size, and that's a question we won't know the answer to for another year or two. That said, his play has taken a big step since returning to the lineup and he's not just looking like he belongs in the NHL, but is making things happen.

Zucker would just fit our up-tempo style of play better and he's already the finished product. Whereas Jost still needs another offseason of working on his body & stride, and further NHL seasoning.

Yeah, I've been watching him. Don't see much, either good, or bad. No doubt that it's too early to make any hard and fast decisions on him.

 

[cgf]

Yeah, I've been watching him. Don't see much, either good, or bad. No doubt that it's too early to make any hard and fast decisions on him.

I think he really suffers for linemates with us atm. Ideally, he'd have someone who created space for him, because he has quick hands, he's a smart passer, and (when he has time/space) his shot is dangerous. He just has a tough time creating separation for himself at this level; which could be solved over the offseason with him getting quicker/stronger, or in-season by playing Tyson off of someone that would create space for him like Boeser did when he was tearing it up in college...which we haven't done since he's come back into the lineup.

At least with how fast Bednar wants us to play.

 

[57special]

He does have a sis..here’s..... FANNY!!!!!

View attachment 217345

There is no doubt that Fanny has a Mona Lisa thing going on.

 

[BlackBusa24]

Probably Zacha and a pick.

Depending on the pick I would do this if I was fenton

 

[5cotland]

Zucker is ooverrated.Only worthy of a late 1st rounder at most

 

[DigitalBoldy]

Zucker is ooverrated.Only worthy of a late 1st rounder at most

Mid-1st is his value. Nice try.

 

[AKL]

Mid-1st is his value. Nice try.

Depends on the year. This seems like a pretty good draft, but the latest I’d take for him straight up is probably 20-22 at this point.

 

[DigitalBoldy]

Depends on the year. This seems like a pretty good draft, but the latest I’d take for him straight up is probably 20-22 at this point.

I had a few interesting trade ideas for Vegas and Arizona regarding Zucker... But, Vegas doesn't appear to have the cap space. Arizona needs right handed players. I am hoping we can entice Buffalo/Edmonton to move their 1st round pick for Zucker+player and then hopefully get Turcotte and then Krebs or Newhook. Colorado could be a good option for #16 straight up, if we were willing to do a trade with division rival like them.

 

[SpeakingOfTheDevils]

I didn’t realize how big of a media personality Mrs. Zucker is.

She has done a great job the couple times she’s been featured on the NHL Network, which is headquartered in Secaucus, NJ...

I think it’s very important that she succeeds in her career, too

 

[Bazeek]

I didn’t realize how big of a media personality Mrs. Zucker is.

She has done a great job the couple times she’s been featured on the NHL Network, which is headquartered in Secaucus, NJ...

I think it’s very important that she succeeds in her career, too

She's stated that she'll stay in Minnesota if Zucker's traded. Beyond her career I think there's a family aspect to it with her daughter, who's more firmly tied to the area.

Being traded is a constant worry for the Zuckers. Carly shares custody of her daughter, Sophia, with her ex-husband. So if Jason is ever traded, Carly would stay in Minnesota. That means Zucker is always at risk of being separated from his wife and step-daughter, as well as his son, Hendrix, and their daughter, who is due in two weeks.

 

[SpeakingOfTheDevils]

She's stated that she'll stay in Minnesota if Zucker's traded. Beyond her career I think there's a family aspect to it with her daughter, who's more firmly tied to the area.

Damn.

So much for that.