Why would the devils do that? They will definitely get a better return elsewhere, and will be able to involve more teams around the deadline when more teams have cap and are looking for the move to set them up for a long run.

How so? What kind of return exactly do you expect Palmieri to get? Ho Sang could possible become a top 6 forward in New Jerseys system and same with Holmstrom. That's an overpay IMO and that's because I added Hickey(extra compensation for taking him)

I think a 30 goal scorer is worth more. Again, all my points about teams wanting to trade for him at the deadline stand. The only valuable thing you have offered is the pick. I don't really know Holmström, but everything i have read about him is that he has decent potential to be a nhler. So maybe the team really likes him, in which case I would say the trade is fine then. But if based on just the return, I think they can do better than a first and a maybe nhler. Ho Sang has no value. I'm sure based on the talent teams will always take a flyer on him, but adding him does nothing for the trade.