If NJ wants to stay a contender, think they need to work out something mutually beneficial with Graves (without a NTC), 4x4.5 seems reasonable, based on what we saw of similar comps last year. Even with Casey, Vilen, Mukhamadullin, Nemec, Hughes etc in the pipeline, none will be ready for heavy top 4 minutes for a contender next year, maybe two years .... Only Hamilton has a NMC and all D on reasonable contracts. Any could be moved later, if the young defenders surprise early.
They also need to find a few UFA veteran value plays to supplement what is a decent young forward core. Ideally a 3C. If a Top 6 winger is acquired instead (I suspect this is unlikely), Mercer could drop to center the third line.
A few options?
Resign Haula. May not be the most popular option for Dev fans, but he brings faceoff skills and veteran savvy, not to mention a shooting percentage of 4.5% this season, which is sure to revert to his career norm (11 - 12%) at some point. He could be an effective third line, short term, option that won't break the bank. Feels like the most likely scenario here.
Its likely a near zero probability, but a player with the skillset of Ryan O'Reilly would be ideal imo. Down year & injury increase risk of career fall off from here, but I believe he remains an interesting fit for NJ ... Faceoff specialist, who is defensively responsible and could chip in points & leadership on what would immediately become a dangerous third line. Would he accept a 3C role and a reduced contract value/tax rate in NJ? No, not likely. Would GM want to tie up that much cap term and space on a 32 year old coming off a broken foot, doesn't seem Fitzgerald's style. This is just a Capfriendly AGM dreamscape, but I like the player, always have.
JT Compher? Intriguiging to me, but wont happen. Career year going to get him paid.
Not sure what other #3 center options are realistic or palatable... will leave that to ya'll & Fitzgerald. I suspect it will end up being something conservative like a Haula.
Veteran wings, just too many to consider & Im still on my first coffee ... if the contract remains super short (2 years), maybe a Killorn has a couple of solid years left & would be a nice fit in the middle six. At that contract term though, he may as well stay where he is.
A short term reunion for Tatar? Meh, much like Haula, not exciting, but its not a bad option depending on contract.
Thank you for your service Sever, Wood ... you guys were great core pieces fot a long time in NJ. Enjoyed watching your careers & wish you the best.
Have any better UFA wing suggestions that fit the Fitzgerald vision / mold?
I don't feel like Blackwood has a future here, let alone offering him a million less than this this year.
I could only see ROR on a 1yr cheap deal to try and set himself up for the following year. However with no connection to NJD, no idea why he'd pick here.
I don't feel like Blackwood has a future here, let alone offering him a million less than this this year.
I could only see ROR on a 1yr cheap deal to try and set himself up for the following year. However with no connection to NJD, no idea why he'd pick here.
Absolutely fair, hovered over that signing longer than the others. NJ still has control, not sure if there is value there, but at least they can try to trade his rights.
ROR has always been about valuing himself, he doesn’t take discounts, I think at the minim he’s getting his same contract again at 7m aav,
There will be suitors for him and throwing some good money at him
Understood. Totally fair. He's down this year and 32 ... Don't you think that will hurt his value? What do you think he could get out there? Hard to imaging more than 5 years. Would seem reckless otherwise
Understood. Totally fair. He's down this year and 32 ... Don't you think that will hurt his value? What do you think he could get out there? Hard to imaging more than 5 years. Would seem reckless otherwise
hes been pretty consistent his whole career, 20+ games doesnt undo his consistent track record.
Kadri at 32 got 7x7. I think that is what he is goign to be targeting as well. ROR will be 32 this offseason
hes been pretty consistent his whole career, 20+ games doesnt undo his consistent track record.
Kadri at 32 got 7x7. I think that is what he is goign to be targeting as well. ROR will be 32 this offseason
He's been 100% consistent. Great run. For his sake, hope he gets his money, but those 37/38/39 yo seasons look sketchy
He's been 100% consistent. Great run. For his sake, hope he gets his money, but those 37/38/39 yo seasons look sketchy
they will be rough, bc hes not the best skater to begin with. But that is what GMs do constantly. They really dont care about years 5 to years 8. That could be the next GMs issue. They care about the winning now.
Him at 5m would be ideal, but I doubt he takes a paycut at all, there are always teams desperate for top 6 Cs
they will be rough, bc hes not the best skater to begin with. But that is what GMs do constantly. They really dont care about years 5 to years 8. That could be the next GMs issue. They care about the winning now.
Him at 5m would be ideal, but I doubt he takes a paycut at all, there are always teams desperate for top 6 Cs
100% some GMs are suicidal. I just don't get how they don't learn. This was just a typical AGM fantasy post. As a NJ fan, I'd love to see Hughes-Hischier-ROR-McLeod down the middle, I think it would completely transform the team. Maybe even more than GK, 3C is a weak spot for them. Thanks for the post.
O'Reilly wont be singing with a team for cheap or to be a 3C. He will be getting his money from some team to be a Top 6 player
You know I'm not sure about that. He'll be 32 and not having a great season. I can see him getting a 3 or 4 year deal for reasonable dollars. A young team like nJ could be real appealing to him.
You know I'm not sure about that. He'll be 32 and not having a great season. I can see him getting a 3 or 4 year deal for reasonable dollars. A young team like nJ could be real appealing to him.
I'd certainly love to see that, though NJ tax is a killer for the Devs to compete for any UFA vs other franchises.
Poor first half for ROR for sure ... Coming back from the broken foot & playing well will be key to establishing his value, particularly in playoffs (if Blues make it or he is sent to a top contender). This first half will certainly raise questions.
You know I'm not sure about that. He'll be 32 and not having a great season. I can see him getting a 3 or 4 year deal for reasonable dollars. A young team like nJ could be real appealing to him.
Zacha just got close to 5m. I’ll never under estimate gms short sightless to win
Zacha just got close to 5m. I’ll never under estimate gms short sightless to win
Not sure that's a great comp. Zacha is 25 & while he can't score goals for some reason, he's a very solid, versatile, middle six guy, without any injury history. It's not a horrible investment. He won't even be 30 when that contract terminated.
Not sure that's a great comp. Zacha is 25 & while he can't score goals for some reason, he's a very solid, versatile, middle six guy, without any injury history. It's not a horrible investment. He won't even be 30 when that contract terminated.
Kadri signed 7x7 at 32. ROR has the better career. I don’t see any way he doesn’t start at 7m aav
Kadri signed 7x7 at 32. ROR has the better career. I don’t see any way he doesn’t start at 7m aav
That may be true, but UFA signings are forward looking.
Kadri was had a fantastic walk year & no injury ... ROR hasn't looked himself this season & has to return from a broken foot at some point. I agree GMs can be reckless, but there will be some questions, unless ROR returns and re-establishes his value with his historical level of play. You are probably right, but league wide Cap Room will be tight again & that's a tough contract to swallow ... for his sake, I hope he gets it.
That may be true, but UFA signings are forward looking.
Kadri was had a fantastic walk year & no injury ... ROR hasn't looked himself this season & has to return from a broken foot at some point. I agree GMs can be reckless, but there will be some questions, unless ROR returns and re-establishes his value with his historical level of play. You are probably right, but league wide Cap Room will be tight again & that's a tough contract to swallow ... for his sake, I hope he gets it.
20+ games doesn’t make or break someone’s worth, positive or negative,
3C options via trade
- Nicholas Roy
- Sam Bennett
- Ross Colton
- Adam Henrique
- Pierre-Luc Dubois
- Blake Coleman (!)
- Jack Roslovic
3C options via free agency
- Jonathan Toews
- Ryan O'Rielly
- Ivan Barbashev
- Sean Monahan
- Lars Ellers
- Nick Bonino
- Paul Stastny
- Max Domi
- JT Compher
- David Kampf
I don't feel like Blackwood has a future here, let alone offering him a million less than this this year.
I could only see ROR on a 1yr cheap deal to try and set himself up for the following year. However with no connection to NJD, no idea why he'd pick here.
3C options via trade
- Nicholas Roy
- Sam Bennett
- Ross Colton
- Adam Henrique
- Pierre-Luc Dubois
- Blake Coleman (!)
- Jack Roslovic
3C options via free agency
- Jonathan Toews
- Ryan O'Rielly
- Ivan Barbashev
- Sean Monahan
- Lars Ellers
- Nick Bonino
- Paul Stastny
- Max Domi
- JT Compher
- David Kampf
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