Neither sign them both (as long as they want to stay)
You know what ya got in both
A down yr is better for our wallets

Palmieri will be easier to sign (but cost more)
Gusev will be more likely to test free agency

For that reason, my money is on Palms as more likely staying put.

I assume Devils would trade one and keep one (to make room for Holtz, Mercer, etc)

Agreed but Palmieri might not be more expensive than Gusev

Palmieri around $5.5
Gusev $5-5.5

Not sure either is ready

Pre-COVID, Palms gets Brendan Gallagher type deal. Now, 4x$6 million sounds right.

Gusev probably gets same deal he has now 2x$4.5 million.

Gusev would want and get more in the open market imo.

Gotta imagine Holtz will be here. Mercer would need strong camp. Foote and Thompson may have quicker path to roster.

True but thinking about it for the future (2022-23). We would have a lot of competition for that spot.

Apparently Foote looked very good for the B-Devils today. He could maybe be called up soon

Yeah, wouldn’t be shocked if Foote steps into lineup soon (whenever that is- they postponed another week of games). Need him and Nico on power play. Have seen Bastin, Kuokkanen, almost everyone in that near slot.

Thompson possibly 10 game stretch in end of year.

What do you think of these PP Lines?

Hughes-Nico-Bratt
Smith-Palms

Foote-Zacha-Goose
Subban-Severson

Johnsson?

Its not the popular opinion, but Id drop both, if you could get the right return & look to sign best fit UFAs in offseason.

Maybe one of those best fit UFAs is Palms ...

Could see him instead of Sevo

Maybe we can sign a guy like Hall or Hoffman in FA with extra money but idk if they would want to come to Jersey

Considering Dadanov got 3yr 5 mil after 3 straight seasons of almost 30g 70+ pts
and Mike Hoffman took a 1 yr 4 mil deal (after 2 35+ goal seasons (last year 29 in 66)

I would be astonished if anyone gave Gusev even close to 5mil per

My bet is he'd be more likely to fall in the Anthony Duclair or Jack Roslovic range just around 2 mil

If he bounces back to normal he would make around 5. If he continues how he would make 2-3 mil like you said

We could say that about so many guys, but fact of the matter is that NJ has some exciting young talent with serious cap room in a year other teams will be tight. They could target one really solid vet and get competitive. Doubt that's what Fitz wants, but look how many wings are out there ... its a solid list. Brandon Saad? Jaden Schwartz? Coleman? Tatar? Phillip freakin Danault (move Zacha)? RNH? And on and on ... so many

I think if he stays healthy (big if), I'd prioritize resigning Murray over any other NJ UFA. He's only going to get better as the injuries drift further in the rear view ... only 27.

If he gets to market, he's gone. Not many D options this year. He will be in demand.