I like all the trades. The Debrincat-Strome-Tuch line has so much potential

D is a little sus without Murphy, but I love Tuch

Perhaps that means this post isn’t all that realistic, because we like all the trades.

Beaudin is in the top 6 as a flyer, hoping that he earns a spot. I don’t think its the best defense in the world, but we have puck movers and responsible defenders on each pairing.

I think it’s time to move Toews back to the third line center, embrace the future.

@Stan_Bowman do we really think Shaw is ready? Is Vegas looking to move Tuch? Do we really think Kubalik is only getting $4M? I know he only has 1 season but Cat has 28 goals then 41 and got a $6.4M contract. I believe Kubalik to be a more consistent goal scorer than Cat especially since he’s now on PP1 he’ll have more opportunities. And when you say move Toews “back to third line”, when was he ever on third line? I still like Toews-Dach-Strome.

Question for the audience: what do we think of

Kubalik-Toews-Kane
Cat-Strome-Saad
Nylander-Dach-Cags

Devils say no. Saad is not worth anything near that much, especially at 6mm AAV

I think he easily fetches a mid round pick, is McLeod not a bust or something?

Only at the TDL and only half retained. But I do agree if the Hawks are out of it next year he will easily get a mid 1st.

Mid Round and 18th Overall are very different. Also, McLeod is probably a year or 2 away from being a solid bottom 6 centerman. Not great for someone drafted 12th overall, but the Devils have not given up on him.

Shaw said he was ready, I believe him.

Tuch for Murphy make sense, they only have one actual right handed shot. Tuch may need a change do scenery and Murphy solidify a great D core.

DeBrincat has a 52 and 76 point seasons to fall back on for that contract. Kubalik had one 46 point season. Taking a bridge sets him up for a nice pay day later.

Toews needs to have his minutes reduced as he ages. He’s not played on the third line, but it’s time to let Strome and Dach take over top 6 center duties.

Mid round first was my intention. I was just hoping to get some AHL depth with McLeod.




How can he be worth a mid first at the deadline. We wouldn't know what pick it was. I’m thinking it’s likely he gets traded at the draft to avoid his M-NTC.

I think Saad can pull in a mid-late first rounder and possibly a prospect at the TDL. The Blackhawks would need to retain 50%, and the trade would need to be w/ a contender. If the Devils give up one of their 3 picks in the 2020 1st Round, it will be for someone younger, and with more years under team control.

De Haan as the #1? Come on man, the dude is slow, great around our net but outside of that not great. We need a #1LHD, not rely on a guy at the age of 29 that's never played #1.

He played number 1 when Keith was out and was serviceable. Don’t get me wrong it’s not ideal, and we could throw Keith back up there, but I was just trying to go for balanced lines.

Move De Haan and keep Maatta. Maatta's contract is obviously less, the buyout is friendly, he's much younger, and looked great following the break. He's turning 26 in a few days, the kid hasn't even peaked yet. De Haan has obviously going on 30. Moving Strome for a first line LHD would be huge for us; the question is who?

Toews was still excellent offensively this season, wouldn’t want him relegated to a depth role just yet, but I’m not against spreading the wealth a bit offensively.

His offensive numbers have been sustained at the cost of his defensive play. The plan was always to have him be the best 3rd line center In the league, time to turn over the reigns.

Devils decline...is Saad's value really that high??

Is a $1.36m cap hit for 4 years really that friendly? Because Maatta turns 26 in a few days which ups his buyout cap hit unfortunately. I personally liked Maatta but the buyout option is less favorable now than before.

I don't think Strome pulls in a 1LD due to his history away from Debrincat or Kane. There would have additions to get anyone halfway decent or it'd be a reclamation project like Strome was himself. Are any teams with excess d-men looking for an offensive 2/3C?

He's extremely underrated defensively, he drives possession, and he's a shot volume player. Pair him with a playmaker who passes well into the slot and he'll score 25-30 (what he was on pace for this season), put up 55 points easy, and be great in the DZ and on the PK.

I wouldn't want the Hawks to lose him personally but I could see him being a great winger for Hughes to setup and help with the physicality of the game. Hughes is often compared to Kane and Saad-Kane have great chemistry. See 2014 Kings playoff series or 2015 Lightning playoff series for some of their best highlights.

All players (especially pending UFAs) are worth more at the TDL than at the draft. It happens every year. Teams will be more certain they are making the playoffs and more certain of their needs. Maybe a winger gets injured and the team is REALLY good. Ok Saad's your guy. The pending UFA part is because there's zero long term cap planning for eother the buyer and seller.

I never understand why everyone on this site think that Tuch is on the block or would be moved. He has looked great this playoffs (finally healthy this year). Has a very reasonable cap for a fringe top 6 forward and is young. I don’t get it

I'm not following what you're saying. Maatta's buyout doesn't change, he has 2 years left on his agreement, the buyout is $680K at any time, his age has zero impact on that.

Strome and a 2nd or 3rd would pull in a good LHD like Brodin with an extension and Minnesota is desperate for a 2C and has plenty of guys on D. They are already rumored to be shopping one of their D and Brodin makes the most sense using reasonable deduction. Maybe it's Dumba, but doubt it.

I think he means the real money potion of the buyout. It’s increases in real money from 1/3 of the value from being younger than 26 to being 2/3 of the value when older than 26.

Again, I don’t think the cap hit matters.