Quoting: HeadHighSauce
And Burakovsky just got scratched! Seems like he'll be on the market. His underlyings are similar (though a step down) from Fiala. He shouldn't cost as much (but is more likely to decline faster) and we get to have Slaf/Cooley on an ELC. Makes no sense to move 2OA for Fiala (or arguably anyone)
And apart from Forsberg, none of those guys will get as big a contract as whatever Fiala will get either this offseason or next.
The opportunity cost of acquiring Fiala for anything resembling fair value is just to great price to pay for a team like Devils.
If you can't use this current situation to fleece Guerin to the tune of smthn like Zacha + Stillman + #37, I don't see the point in going for Fiala.
Quoting: IcemanJoe
That’s entirely possible he feels that way. But FA is a crap shoot and you never know if you can get the guy you want. Unless you overpay severely. And we keep assuming the 2OA is a sure fire hit and immediately, but that’s no guarantee either. Fiala put up 85 points without a legit C.
I don't assume whomever Devils pick at #2 makes the lineup right away.
I wouldn't really want that guy in the NHL straight after the draft anyway.
And sure, there's always risk in FA but it's not like trading for Fiala is risk-free either.
I wouldn't want the Devils to give anything close to fair value for Fiala this summer, if he goes somewhere else that's totally fine with me.