Trade Deadline Targets: Discuss

[Devil Dan 56]

[jagknife]

58 minutes ago, Colorado Rockies 1976 said:

It's all hypotheticals...I'm just thinking that considering how well Meier's played this year (and since the beginning of last season, really), the Devils gotta make a legit offer here.  If Fitz somehow lands Meier without giving up Mercer (or Nemec, who I suspect the Sharks will ask for), I'll consider that beyond miraculous.

Or another way of putting it:  if I'm a Sharks fan (and I'm assuming Nemec coming back is a pipe dream) and I don't at least get Mercer back...I'm pissed.  Of course if Holtz turns the corner in, say, 2024-25 I'll forget about it, but I'm still going to be aggravated as hell...maybe if the Devils gave them TWO first-rounders to go with Holtz, OK, I'm a little less pissed.  But from the Devils' standpoint, I'm always of wary of dealing off TOO many first-rounders (unless you're truly THAT close to winning a Cup, and don't have many other assets to trade in trying to get over the hump).  You may need other first-rounders for other deals down the line.  

If I'm the Sharks I dig my heels in, re:  Mercer being a part of this deal.  If they buckle and accept Holtz, good for the Devils...not so great for the Sharks.  

Conversely, with the idea of an expiring contract in mind, I’m kinda looking at Meier like Hall when we traded him: A great player on an exceptionally bad team. To your point of what the fans expectations are, we all thought we’d get a pretty decent return for Hall, but then it was just kinda meh. It wasn’t until now that the deal has really grown into “yeah I think we won that one.”

Not at all saying I disagree San Jose should be demanding top dollar for him, but realistically they’re going to have us, Buffalo and Carolina as probably the main three competitors. Rangers maybe but San Jose is gotta be willing to eat a ton of cap from NY, or NY needs a third team. The potential bidding war is what will probably drive Mercer to be involved.

[Nicomo]

Starting to feel like we’re back in the Lou days with all this talk of retreads. 

[Colorado Rockies 1976]

15 minutes ago, Nicomo said:

Starting to feel like we’re back in the Lou days with all this talk of retreads. 

If the Devils want to go the retread route, I'd rather Henrique.  Parise feels like too much of a bargain hunt...I know he makes pennies, but I don't see him making much of a difference.

24 minutes ago, jagknife said:

Conversely, with the idea of an expiring contract in mind, I’m kinda looking at Meier like Hall when we traded him: A great player on an exceptionally bad team. To your point of what the fans expectations are, we all thought we’d get a pretty decent return for Hall, but then it was just kinda meh. It wasn’t until now that the deal has really grown into “yeah I think we won that one.”

Not at all saying I disagree San Jose should be demanding top dollar for him, but realistically they’re going to have us, Buffalo and Carolina as probably the main three competitors. Rangers maybe but San Jose is gotta be willing to eat a ton of cap from NY, or NY needs a third team. The potential bidding war is what will probably drive Mercer to be involved.

I actually thought the Devils did pretty well with that deal...once you subtract the warm-body fluff, you're left with a first-rounder (became Mercer) and Kevin Bahl.  Bahl was a decent D prospect (with size) and the Devils clearly desperately needed those at the time...as well as extra first-rounders to build up a youth base.  Also don't forget that the 3rd-rounder that the Devils also snagged in that deal became Siegs, but at the time of course no one's making a big deal out of a third-round pick (or guys like Merkley and Schnarr, who are mildly intriguing until you actually see them play, at which point you're reminded why they were throw-ins).  But in that moment, considering that Hall was coming off a year where he missed 49 games and wasn't really lighting it up at the time he was moved, I was OK with the return.

Bahl might be a good throw-in option in a deal for Meier...I'm not bullish on him and it looks like he's more or less played his way out of the long-term picture here, but he does have size, and maybe what he needs is to go to a rebuilding team where he's basically going to get 70+ games (out of necessity) to try to prove that he can handle the NHL.  Next year will be his Age 23 season...time is just starting to run short on him being able to show that he can become an NHL regular.  

[jagknife]

29 minutes ago, Colorado Rockies 1976 said:

If the Devils want to go the retread route, I'd rather Henrique.  Parise feels like too much of a bargain hunt...I know he makes pennies, but I don't see him making much of a difference.

I actually thought the Devils did pretty well with that deal...once you subtract the warm-body fluff, you're left with a first-rounder (became Mercer) and Kevin Bahl.  Bahl was a decent D prospect (with size) and the Devils clearly desperately needed those at the time...as well as extra first-rounders to build up a youth base.  Also don't forget that the 3rd-rounder that the Devils also snagged in that deal became Siegs, but at the time of course no one's making a big deal out of a third-round pick (or guys like Merkley and Schnarr, who are mildly intriguing until you actually see them play, at which point you're reminded why they were throw-ins).  But in that moment, considering that Hall was coming off a year where he missed 49 games and wasn't really lighting it up at the time he was moved, I was OK with the return.

Bahl might be a good throw-in option in a deal for Meier...I'm not bullish on him and it looks like he's more or less played his way out of the long-term picture here, but he does have size, and maybe what he needs is to go to a rebuilding team where he's basically going to get 70+ games (out of necessity) to try to prove that he can handle the NHL.  Next year will be his Age 23 season...time is just starting to run short on him being able to show that he can become an NHL regular.  

I’m not trashing the move especially with what it became, more so saying what fan expectations were versus what we received. Just saying we had high hopes of much better return for a Hart winner coming off surgery.

Market is different now, though.

[jagknife]

Also yes? Henrique over Parise, if we have to go retread.

Yes I still despise the guy for the way he handled his road to Minny

[Colorado Rockies 1976]

14 minutes ago, jagknife said:

I’m not trashing the move especially with what it became, more so saying what fan expectations were versus what we received. Just saying we had high hopes of much better return for a Hart winner coming off surgery.

Market is different now, though.

Also keep in mind that Hall had a bit of an injury history in his career to that point...Shero could've risked waiting until the deadline in trying to create a bidding war and squeeze a little more out of potential trade partners (or try to get more of them in the mix), but I suspect that he didn't want to take a chance of waiting too long and Hall getting hurt again.  Here comes a team willing to give up a couple of solid pieces and some extras, a full two months or so ahead of the deadline...sometimes you just pull the trigger and do the best with the assets you acquired...fortunately in this case, Fitz did manage to do just that, re:  Mercer and Siegs.

Also remember that Hall had to take a one-year "Show me" deal the next season (with the Sabres).  Could be that the rest of the NHL simply wasn't as bullish on him as we would've thought, re:  what they were willing to give up to acquire him.    

[NJDevils1214]

20 minutes ago, jagknife said:

Also yes? Henrique over Parise, if we have to go retread.

Yes I still despise the guy for the way he handled his road to Minny

Devils in the midst of a deep playoff run to the finals and he's texting his BFF about leaving to play on the same team. That's cute, but no thanks on the return.

Adam Henrique all the way! I feel like he could slot in for Tatar and do a better job, not that Tatar is going anywhere this season but his cap his us rather unpalatable and he doesn't belong in the top 6.

[Colorado Rockies 1976]

Just now, NJDevils1214 said:

Devils in the midst of a deep playoff run to the finals and he's texting his BFF about leaving to play on the same team. That's cute, but no thanks on the return.

Adam Henrique all the way! I feel like he could slot in for Tatar and do a better job, not that Tatar is going anywhere this season but his cap his us rather unpalatable and he doesn't belong in the top 6.

What sucks re:  Tatar is that the idea was for him to be a solid two-year stopgap until Holtz was ready to either challenge him during Tatar's second season, or be ready to step into Tatar's slot once Tatar left via UFA.

Sadly it doesn't look like Holtz is much closer than he was when Tatar was signed.  

[Colorado Rockies 1976]

38 minutes ago, jagknife said:

Also yes? Henrique over Parise, if we have to go retread.

Yes I still despise the guy for the way he handled his road to Minny

As far as the Parise crap from yesteryear goes, if I really thought he could make much of a difference, I wouldn't care.  

But to me it's like dealing for Steve Sullivan or something along those lines.  I don't want a "Well he's not going to cost us much, why not?" deal which becomes the only real selling point of making it.  I can see Parise coming here and doing very little.  Give me a player who actually has a GOOD chance to help and make a real difference.  Henrique should at least help...I'd be surprised if he didn't do a solid job here.  

Edited January 26 by Colorado Rockies 1976

[Devilsfan118]

Can Lou just fvcking retire already

[Puckbuster]

I know this will ruffle some feathers, but I would rather trade Bratt than Mercer.  Mercer will be cheaper, can play up and down the lineup, most importantly, I believe he plays at a higher compete level than Bratt.  I’m not saying the Sharks would do it or the Devils would, or if it’s even possible.  I’m just trying to emphasize how important Mercer to the Devils future.  He will be the workhorse.  We can’t just look at stats because Meier and Bratt, although different players, I think will put up similar numbers.  Ideally, it would be great to get Meier and everyone signs to team friendly deals and we win 3 cups the next 5 years.

I think, if Fitz is even considering a trade for Meier, should be a combination of Holtz, Sharan, Johnsson, Zatterlund, picks, future prospects.  I think, Tatar is important for this year, based on what he has been doing.  He has been a grittier player this year, so I wouldn’t include him either.

[Puckbuster]

1 hour ago, NJDevils1214 said:

Devils in the midst of a deep playoff run to the finals and he's texting his BFF about leaving to play on the same team. That's cute, but no thanks on the return.

Adam Henrique all the way! I feel like he could slot in for Tatar and do a better job, not that Tatar is going anywhere this season but his cap his us rather unpalatable and he doesn't belong in the top 6.

Yes, Henrique over Parise.  Parise screwed the Devils for the next ten years, along with, Kovy.

I have to disagree about your assessment on Tatar.  I think he brings some grit playing too 6 and he’s been good helping on D.

[devlman]

2 hours ago, NJDevils1214 said:

Devils in the midst of a deep playoff run to the finals and he's texting his BFF about leaving to play on the same team. That's cute, but no thanks on the return.

Adam Henrique all the way! I feel like he could slot in for Tatar and do a better job, not that Tatar is going anywhere this season but his cap his us rather unpalatable and he doesn't belong in the top 6.

I don’t want to give ZP the happiness of a playoff series. Don’t need him.

1 hour ago, Devilsfan118 said:

Can Lou just fvcking retire already

He has destroyed that club. They had a brand new arena with tons of excitement behind it and continue to have the most boring team in the NHL.

[Jerrydevil]

The Devils got the best of Zach Parise, by far. We can always feel good about that. I loved his game when he was here. Could he help us now? Maybe. I think there's better options on the discount rack.

[vadvlfan]

I think Fitz wants youth if he's going bto trade for anyone. ZP can go to the mall in Minny for all I care.  Yes, someone to compliment Jack. w/ speed & decent size? (if there's someone out there.

[NJDevils1214]

4 hours ago, Puckbuster said:

Yes, Henrique over Parise.  Parise screwed the Devils for the next ten years, along with, Kovy.

I have to disagree about your assessment on Tatar.  I think he brings some grit playing too 6 and he’s been good helping on D.

We disagree on a lot of things 😋

[RizzMB30]

6 hours ago, Colorado Rockies 1976 said:

What sucks re:  Tatar is that the idea was for him to be a solid two-year stopgap until Holtz was ready to either challenge him during Tatar's second season, or be ready to step into Tatar's slot once Tatar left via UFA.

Sadly it doesn't look like Holtz is much closer than he was when Tatar was signed.  

That was 2 years ago. He's clearly closer just by proximity to the NHL roster. He's battling with good players for a spot. 

Bastian, Zetterlund, Boquist, and Mercer are all clearly NHL roster players, albeit depth players minus Mercer. It's a testament of the teams ability to stockpile this talent in the past 2-3 years. 

I think he's clearly still in the mix and is ready to slot in once some of the vets contracts on up. Tatar for example, you let him walk and Holtz slides right in there and is getting tough love right now. It's easy to be down on a player when he's good trade bait. 

I would at least argue that he'll still on track to replace Tatar, whether he's truly ready today or another year or two. God forbid we get hit with injuries worse than we are, but I think if you lost Tatar tomorrow for whatever reason, Holtzy slides right in to that spot pretty seamlessly today and play the minutes. He has a tough tough road ahead him to the top 6 if you look at the players ahead of him on the depth chart. If he's not traded, which may be the best for him at this point too. 



 

Edited January 26 by RizzMB30

[Colorado Rockies 1976]

15 minutes ago, RizzMB30 said:

That was 2 years ago. He's clearly closer just by proximity to the NHL roster. He's battling with good players for a spot. 

Bastian, Zetterlund, Boquist, and Mercer are all clearly NHL roster players, albeit depth players minus Mercer. It's a testament of the teams ability to stockpile this talent in the past 2-3 years. 

I think he's clearly still in the mix and is ready to slot in once some of the vets contracts on up. Tatar for example, you let him walk and Holtz slides right in there and is getting tough love right now. It's easy to be down on a player when he's good trade bait. 

I would at least argue that he'll still on track to replace Tatar, whether he's truly ready today or another year or two. God forbid we get hit with injuries worse than we are, but I think if you lost Tatar tomorrow for whatever reason, Holtzy slides right in to that spot pretty seamlessly today and play the minutes. He has a tough tough road ahead him to the top 6 if you look at the players ahead of him on the depth chart. If he's not traded, which may be the best for him at this point too. 

Holtz’s year has been very strange…he’s only played in 21 games all season (18 NHL and 3 AHL).  If I have any beef with the way he’s been handled this year, it’s probably that.  Hopefully all of this “off-the-ice” training will pay off, if he’s still a Devil.  

[Jerrydevil]

21 minutes ago, RizzMB30 said:

I would at least argue that he'll still on track to replace Tatar, whether he's truly ready today or another year or two. 

Holtz has ability. If he's not traded, he's still in play for a spot on this team, this season and beyond. I agree. 

[Puckbuster]

2 hours ago, NJDevils1214 said:

We disagree on a lot of things 😋

But, we can agree on a few things and be civil.

[NJDevils1214]

1 minute ago, Puckbuster said:

But, we can agree on a few things and be civil.

Don't make me bring your mah into this!

[Puckbuster]

1 minute ago, NJDevils1214 said:

Don't make me bring your mah into this!

[Aitchmack]

I've read in a few places that the Devils are one of the teams after Bo Horvat and I don't really get why. I'm not saying he isn't a good player, it's just that he's a top line centre and I don't recall him playing wing at all.

[NJDevils1214]

1 hour ago, Aitchmack said:

I've read in a few places that the Devils are one of the teams after Bo Horvat and I don't really get why. I'm not saying he isn't a good player, it's just that he's a top line centre and I don't recall him playing wing at all.

Can't have too many centers, but I don't want to overpay for him via trade or contract so I'm going to assume Fitz did his due diligence and it's getting blown out of proportion or used to let Grier know he's not the only lady at the dance.