Quoting: CD25
With all due respect, if NJ indeed had 10 forwards playing better than Monahan, they wouldn't be where they are in the rankings... Monahan's biggest weakness this year has been the players he's played with.
That said, he his a rental, and Konyushkov, though intriguing, would join the NHL in 2026 at the earliest. I like Kovacevic, and he'd provide more bang for the bucks to NJ than Smith does.
Even then, I don't think that the above package would be enough to lure Fitzgerald. Replace Kovacevic by Savard, then, maybe, if NJ are really in win-now mode, they could consider this. But Holtz' potential upside is probably too large at this point for NJ to trade him for spare parts.
Monahan has a 41.8% xGoals share 5v5 (the only devils forwards lower than 46.7% are Willman, Tierney, and Nosek, all depth/scratch/ahl guys who were replacements for injury) and just 3 5v5 points in his last 20 games.
At C the devils have Hughes, Nico, Mercer, Haula, McLeod. All of whom I'd rather play over monahan.
At wing the devils have: Meier, Toffoli, Palat, Holtz, Bratt. All of whom I'd rather play over monahan.
The devils issues have been pretty simple and easy to see:
-Goaltending has been horrific
-Hamilton, Marino, and Siegs have been slightly worse this year than last
-Bahl has been absolutely unable to live up to the Graves role
-Brendan Smith when on defense was horrific. Probably the worst defenseman in hockey
-Due to a multitude of injuries over the season, for most of the year the devils 4th line was unplayable and consisting of 2 career AHLers.
Now, being basically healthy at F, there are no issues there. I'm more than happy with a Mcleod/Bastian/Lazar 4th line
On D:
Luke-Miller look great together so no brendan smith
Marino+Siegs appear to be picking up again.
Bahl I would still like replaced if a true top 4 quality LD presents itself
Again same with Nemec, if a quality option presents itself I'd like for him to slide another year.
At G:
Schmid has looked a lot better after his first few games (excluding when Lindy put him in net for a back to back for no reason)
Vanacek is still horrific and I'd like him replaced:
If you're selling any of
Matheson, Kovacevic, Allen 50% retained or Montembault at reasonable prices, let me know.