Edited Mar. 13, 2022 at 12:47 p.m.
Quoting: TJTwolf
Fair comment. I kind of went with the idea of two guys, same draft, two positions apart, same age, Pretty much identical basic stats (haven't seen advanced for them). Both basically seem to have hit a plateau. Maybe the change of scenery would help both. McLeod is more pure bottom to middle six face off man at this point. Jost is utility across all three bottom to middle six forward positions. Both RFA in two years. Both can play up the line up if necessary. The third for the salary difference, but I'd accept it might not be enough to tempt the Devils.
If you’re just going by what McLeods page on capfriendly (salary, draft position, points etc), this would be a reasonable take on him. Superficially it is a very similar profile to Jost.
Unfortunately, it renders a grave misunderstanding of who McLeod is and what his strengths, weaknesses and limitations are.
McLeod is currently more or less at his offensive ceiling, what he is now is what you’re gonna get from him over the next 7-8 years.
He should develop into a premier shutdown 4C along the lines of Zach Aston-Reese, with better skating perhaps.
But you cannot play McLeod higher in the lineup, he's a 4C, nothing more, nothing less nad that's totally fine.
This is why Devils are so unlikely to trade McLeod, he’s of a completely unique profile within the organization. Again, this is also why there is no clear reason for Devils to trade for Jost.