Love this Fiala for Holtz type trade for both teams. Holtz is going to be a very good player imo, having an NHL ready prospect like him on his ELC for the next 3 years is exactly what Minnesota needs. Fiala seems like a perfect fit in New Jersey with all their young forwards and fellow countryman Nico Hischier.

Middleton-Spurgeon wouldn't be the 1st pair.

I guess my question is why does Fiala make more sense for NJ than Holtz? I don't think he does.

Yea, I figure that pair and Brodin-Dumba are interchangeable. Brodin-Dumba probably end up playing a little bit more.

NJ is trading away a scorer of the future for a scorer of the present - it's all dependent on how confident they are in competing in the next few seasons. I figure Holtz will be 2-3 years before he is established.

Yah that could be true, my only thought would be they might want the already established elite FWD in Fiala over the potential of Holtz who may take a season or two. I do think MIN would have to add a bit more because they don't have much leverage with their cap space.

Love Fiala and don't disagree with the timeline thing but Holtz is something the Devils simply do not have and have been looking for for years (I mean, they drafted him over better players in my opinion for that reason). Just can't see them moving him for a player who is very similar to Nico/Bratt/Jack

Not to say they shouldn't try to get Fiala - they should. Just don't think Holtz/Mercer/2nd overall is the piece they move for him.

If Addison is involved, I would insist on NJ’s ‘22 2nd instead of the 3rd…and they still probably need to add. The argument MN has no leverage is false.

Those were the pairs last year, Middleton and Spurge on the top line. Brodin and Dumba L2. I only assume that’s how they’ll at least start the season.

Sounds like your bargain shopping. I doubt you get Fiala without including one of those 3 pieces. Yegor and a 2nd might get it done though. But not with Addison included.

Yeah, the mark of a good GM is bargain shopping. If a bidding war for Fiala prices the Devils out, move on.

It’s easy to say when it’s not your (or my) job on the line. GMs need to win. Owner hasn’t been to the playoffs in what 5 years? Fitz going on year 3 I think? So could start feeling the pressure. Sens for sure are feeling the heat, Dorian has to make a splash. That’s the biggest reason I see a bidding war for Fiala, lots of desperate teams out there in need of scoring.

If you’re bargain hunting for a PPG player, you are probably going to end up empty handed.

Yea I flip-flopped on whether to make it a 2nd or a 3rd. Went with 3rd because of the potential of Holtz.

Devils owners "Trust the Process". It's like their whole shtick lol

But yeah, I think the Devils will see what's going on with Fiala and the cap situation. If the price gets up to 2/Holtz/Mercer I'd bet they look at Puljujarvi/Boeser/Garland/UFA instead. Just an educated guess.

But Vrana, Reinhart, Buchnevich, Toews, ROR, Nichushkin. Good players can come on bargain deals. Good GMs can find them.

That’s a good process to follow, if they do then NJD will be set up for success for awhile.

That makes sense to me, NJDs are a fit for the player but not for the desire IMO. Or rather, based on what NJD fans have said.

I agree, I think they’re out there, I just don’t see Fiala being a bargain grab. BG is too stubborn to not get what he views as fair value for him. He’s held firm on his ask for Dumba for over 2 years.

depends on, as you said before, which teams are interested, which teams Fiala will extend with, and how desperate those teams are. Can easily see it being a good return. Can easily see it being a lesser one.

Why would NJ give up a similar player in the future there top prospect , while there are guys available in UFA...
Doesn't make sense, Fiala is going to end up staying unless he moves in the draft by getting paired up with a top pick.
Look for him to have a big year with his contract expiring.

From what I’ve understood about Fiala (mostly from what Russo has said) he wants to be loved by the team he’s on and get paid. So I don’t foresee any issue with him re-signing wherever he’s traded (extension in place before trade). I just don’t see it being a lesser return. If all BG gets is a 2nd round pick offer and a lesser prospect, I envision him holding Fiala and trading someone else for a similar lesser package. He’s not boxed in a corner with one player, he has options. BG is a stubborn man, Fiala is such a good talent, he knows he needs to get something big in return or it could look bad. Trading Dumba for say a 2nd or 3rd won’t look nearly as bad as giving Fiala away and him going on to put up 90+ point seasons.

He should do that anyway.

I could not agree anymore. If it was my choice, I’d keep Fiala. The sense around MN though, is BG seems to think he’s gonna get
more for Fiala so that’s the piece he’ll move. I guess we’ll see.

UFA guys are expensive and don’t always workout with the new team. And there’s no guarantee Holtz ends up being as good as Fiala. It’s possible he’s more Yakupov than Fiala. Not all prospects reach their potential. That’s why you trade a potential asset for a known asset.

Your right but Fiala had one 50+ point season, its also not a sure thing he does it again on a new team that has its fair share of flaws. To me personally not worth what we would have to give up.

That’s fine, that’s your opinion. My opinion is that he’ll be a 100+ point guy with legitimate linemates. The dudes talent level is off the charts and always played with lesser skilled players. It took a skilled rookie to let him get to a 100 point season pace, and that was with a much less skilled C.