I dont think the Devils would make that trade

If they think Gusev is in for the long haul, maybe not. But if he is at all expendable, I think this is a great fit.

How would you alter so that Devils do make this trade?

Wouldn't make this trade as it gives away Smith and 1st. I think an offersheet might be a better trade - would result in 1st,2nd, and 3rd. Would somehow have to get our 3rd back from VGK though.

I don't think they're going to trade Ty Smith. That's the piece that I wouldn't want going the other way. Maybe

Gusev - extension @ 4 x 4.5/5
Arizona 1st

Sergachev
Killorn

But that's a rough guess. There are a lot of variables in play, such as Cerelli and Cernak needing new deals, the flat cap, etc.

I would rather do an offer sheet

Losing Smith makes no sense.
Resign goose
Offer up cap relief for Cirelli etc., AZ pick, Van Pick a prospect and our 2nd from Isles or 3rd from Car (better prospect then)

Serg is a need for sure but moving everything else out that we need makes holes there. This team needs scoring and more D too!

So offer him $6.3 million x 5 years and give up 1st/3rd? I think TB matches that in a heartbeat. Offer sheet is dead-end road here.

I think it makes better sense for both teams for NJD to give TB a player that can help them in 2020-21. Gusev/Smith is a steep price for NJD, but probably worth it. Bigger question is how to make cap-friendly for both sides.



I hear what you are saying...but what other cornerstone d-man will become so readily available over next year or two?

And there is no indication TB looking to stockpile picks.

Totally agree. But they will need value, and have no cap. Most likely won't happen but it depends on whether they value Cirelli or Serg more. I think this POs makes a difference too. Would you consider Bahl? He may end up being Serg, problem is you don't know. What about Nikita Okhotyuk, he's a bit young I would think. Butcher retained? They like big D players, so probably not

our 2nd is gone too! To nashville for PK trade

I think you're right about needing a trade with TBL to make this happen from the NJD. Offer sheet would cause Devils to lose 2021 1st round pick, which has the chance to be a high pick given how bad the devils are. Not sure I'd trade a medium to high potential of a 1st overall pick in 2021 for Sergachev. I liked a previous comment of taking on salary but it seems all TBL's high salary possibly expendable players (Gourde, Palat, Killhorn, Johnson) have NTCs.

Gourde would get more playing time elsewhere. He's got a big cap hit but he may waive. Killorn is the one everyone thinks is gone.
Maybe Jersey takes n a bunch of junk fro someones first this year and they use it as trade capital. IDK, we just gotta do something. Nurse is another idea but not nearly checking all the boxes that Serg does. There's talk that Mtl tries to get him back with an OS. I woudl hope our picks/pkg this year woudl have more value for TBL

I wasn't trying to throw a bunch of names out and see what sticks. Each name is in there for a reason.

Smith -- Smith makes the most sense both teams. Bahl is needed in NJD. Big body, long reach, closes gaps - all things NJD lacks. Smith can immediately help on power-play in TB, replacing Sergachev in that role (the TB power play in playoffs has been ice cold, but I did not factor into this).

Gusev -- Does NJD want to give him 5-6 years? Maybe....he will only be 32-33 at end of deal. Tough for NJD to lose the creativity...but pairing with Kuch is good fit. And if NJD looks to resign Gusev or Palmieri, I'd think the latter less likely to walk.

Other I considered -
Nick Merkley - this would be if TB loses Cirrelli - good guy to buy low if he were ever healthy
Reilly Walsh - not quite Smith-caliber but close...problem is he is not NHL-ready.
Damon Severson - great all around d-man, but is like Nook Laloosh on power play...(shot could go anywhere)
7th overall pick



No no - NJD needs 7th overall this year...and 2021 1st. But this years #18 and #20 are very expendable since it is a pretty weak draft after top-10 or 12 guys.



Gusev + Smith + 2020 VAN 1st > 2020 MTL 1st + 2021 MTL 1st (especially for win now team)

Would the Lightning be able to match the offer?

in practice, no. But they would have the offseason to see if they can become cap compliant. IDK what would happen if they werent able to become cap compliant, or if the league would even allow them to match.

I don't even know if we have schedule of deadlines yet, do we?

When does his 2019-20 contract run out, when does he talk to clubs, and how soon does TB have to match?

They also have to sign Cerelli which would make it almost impossible for them to keep them both.

Only if they otherwise stand pat. No dead weight on roster...shouldn't be hard to move guys like Killorn, Gourde, etc.

My point is - no team can count on offer sheet working. Gotta try to work the trade first.

No tampa d man is sub 6 feet
Smith is a LS RD
As I have noted numerous times The pkg in 2020 has always been better than an OS deal. Merely making the point. Kuch friend is great.
There's no good answer and probably won't happen. Your ideas are good but imo I think others can be used to achieve the same result.
Take all of tge "vets" off this team and have mo leadership is not an idea we should consider.
Serg in red and black! How do we ever bring boyle back then, they hate each other!

yes, and cernak. My idea was kind of that they can exceed the cap by 10% so they would basically have to match an offer, and then expedite whatever trades they need to make prior to signing the other RFAs. Of course, if some team gives him a deal close to, or above $8mm it would become a virtual impossibility for them to match, short of trading a guy like vasilevsky + immediately prior to matching.

this is all for offseason compliance btw. once the regular season comes around they would still be screwed in either of these situations. What I described would just be a matter of biding time.