Quoting: dgibb10
I’d move Holtz up in the lineup.
Put toffoli on the block and sell him if the right opportunity presents itself. I’d sell for a 1st and 3rd if it comes. Nico Jack Mikey Haula Palat Holtz Mercer Meier Bratt is a more than good enough top 9. If not move haula to line 4 for now.
Target a 2LD. Ferraro, Pettersson, Hanafin whoever (Pettersson is the main target). Need to be better on the kill than Bahl and be able to shut it down with Marino. This makes us a much more sound defensive squad which makes the goalies life easier.
1 more piece of depth as a want, not a need. Haven’t been the happiest with Bastian but whatever
In terms of goalie there’s a number of options.
I’d offer a 1st+2nd+Vanacek for Ullmark now. Not holtz and no retention.
Or I’d go after Filip Gustafsson with a bigger offer than for Ullmark.
Or jarry, Gibson retained, Markstrom retained, etc etc.
If legit starting goalies are not available at reasonable rates I move down.
Use the dougie LTIR space on a guy like Mrazek. Go after a Stolarz or a Nedjelkovic or a vejmelka.
I'm just focusing on your goalie proposals here. If those actually move the needle for teams, and they go for it, great. Of course, bargain them down as much as you can. We certainly got Meier for less than what Sharks fans on here were projecting.
But overall I think you need to flesh out these ideas. A LOT. The way you describe it, this is some minor need, where we can bring in a guy like Ullmark for practically nothing and all is well. Goaltending is our #1 Achilles heal, it is a MAJOR issue, you'd have to be blind not to see that. You are claiming we can just throw some pennies on the sidewalk and pick up a decent goalie? Well I hope Edmonton and Carolina don't hear about this!
In truth, we desperately need a goalie in a market where there are many bidders and very few sellers. Again, clarify your points - How much are we giving up to get Gibson "retained"? How much retained? And will he really be enough of an improvement? How much for Stolarz? We are burning seasons here, with no clear solution in sight, and you seem very happy to mock everyone else's honest attempt at a solution.
Please, flesh out some actual solutions, what we are giving up, what we are getting, why the other team would accept that deal, what our fallback options are... And run your solutions through other teams fans to see if they would actually accept it - that's what this site is for! Anyone can say "well I'll give you Toffoli and a third for Sorokin", the challenge is crafting a real proposal that provides both teams with what they need. This is a critical issue for the Devils, it isn't something you can just handwave out of existence by naming a bunch of run-through goalies that we will apparently obtain for Christmas leftovers and picks.