Holtz + 2nd overall for DeBrincat is a baaad idea

I know. I don’t think Tom is that desperate

Debrincat is a 24 year old top line winger who is a two time 40 goal scorer, whose worst year was his rookie season when he scored 28 goals. New Jersey still has Hughes, Hischier, Mercer, and Bratt; plus Sharangovich is looking like a solid top 9 guy. Jersey can afford to sacrifice Holtz and take the risk of trading the 2nd overall, especially when Chicago isn't going to give Debrincat away, and the cost for any team is going to be multiple high picks and top prospects

Hawks accept

Holtz & 2OA for DeBrincat makes the Devils a better offensive team, sure, but it puts you in a terrible place in summer 2023. You start out on July 1st with $38.8M(okay, not bad) and the following players signed for 2023-24:

C Jack Hughes
C Nico Hischier
RW Jesper Bratt
LW Mattias Janmark
C Dawson Mercer
RW Nolan Foote

D Dougie Hamilton

G John Gibson

Cat probably gets $8Mish on his new deal; Yegor Sharangovich can push for $4M if he puts up similar numbers to this year next season; Jonas Siegenthaler is the most underpaid LD in the league right now and probably jumps to $4-5M next summer on a bridge deal (more if you want him longterm), and after that you'll still need 9 more players just to ice a full team. Not to mention Dawson Mercer needing an RFA raise the next summer.

I think they either use #2 on their own team and keep another Top 9 forward on an ELC for a couple years, or if they move it they're going to move it for some sort of major upgrade in goal. This team's offense looks like it's in a very good spot and just needs to figure out how to keep the puck out of the net more often to start putting together a playoff run.

CHI has to accept an offer like this if it hits the table. Would be a big piece in a rebuild. I do think its an overpay but I think that may have to happen if there are multiple teams throwing their hat in the ring and Tbh NJD can handle letting go of this for a sure thing. LAK would be the other team which may be able to compete with an offer like this but I find it difficult for the other teams if NJD put something like this on the table.

That's a well thought out retort.

They could find some money with an increased cap which could help a little bit, plus Daws could replace Blackwood as Gibson's back up, and Johnsson and Stralman coming off the books in this scenario, and maybe they could trade Sharanganovich and get a great haul of prospects and picks to help them out.

It really makes sense that the Kings and Devils getting into a bidding war for Debrincat. Both teams have the cap space, prospect pool, and are in a position in their rebuild where they're at least making the playoffs and ascending from there.

Fiala may also come into the mix if Wild can't secure him to a new deal.