survive the squeeze

Girard is not the kind of piece I would move Holtz for. If he goes, it's for a goalie.

Not sure how Holtz hold more value then Newhook.

Rather than doing all of that to get Evans, a guy that isn't a 3C, I'd try to find someone who needs to bounce back, like Wennberg or Roslovic.

I do like the creativity here though I'd agree with the above two posts. I don't think the Devils trade Holtz in a Girard trade and Evans isn't really a 3C. More a 4C who might be able to play up a bit.

In addition, Olofsson is probably going to Europe next year unless it's a one-way deal. Kovalenko will be in over Olausson. Parise & Cogs are likely done imo. I'd also give Malinski the 3RHD spot over signing Shattenkirk.

That creates even more holes to fill in 25-26 with $28M to sign Rantanen, a starting goalie (assuming Annunen doesn’t take the spot), 3 dmen, 5 bottom 6 forwards. And see the other comments above too.