@tjtwolf yeah it seems to work I’d probably do it

What am I missing here that would make McLeod a good trade for Byram? Very low points throughout the years. I don't follow the Devils so I could be missing a lot of info.

Edit: with only one year from ufa he could force arb and then the Avs trade Byram for a rental. Not worth it imo.

Hawks pass, a late 4th rounder to eat $3.5M of cap next year and the remaining this year is not worth it. Hawks can do better weaponizing their cap space.

The original was more of a framework from discussions with your fellow NJ fan on his thread. I wouldn't see those picks and prospects being any kind of issue in themselves. I expected Avs fans to be a bit down on it but am more surprised at the one 'neutral' so far saying it's bad for the Avs but then he is a MTL fan and probably just wants a first from us for Monahan lol.

It's in reference to my earlier thread.

I will check it out

Goes back to a thread by @tjtwolf which goes back to a thread by @nhlfan10506

I wouldn’t blow up a negotiation over late picks. Would be tinkered with and haggled on both sides but the framework is solid

The only thing I'd say is good luck with the cap going forward after this year and with keeping all three LD happy with ice time, that would be my only real concern from the Devils PoV but you'll probably be more familiar with what cap they have coming off and so on than I am.

Vanecek probably costs a little more to dump as he has been terrible this season and has been terrible in his attempts at the playoffs thing (meaning there is likely no market next TDL to flip him....cause no contender will want a goalie with that playoff track record). Maybe something more like Mrazek & NYR '25 4th for Vanecek, '24 3rd and '25 2nd?

20 minutes a night each for everyone. Devils have very balanced ice time. Luke will get PP1 time, Byram and Siegs will get PK time, Dougie PP2 time, Marino and Nemec PK time. Roll the 3 pairs 5v5

You'd probably need to find some PP time for Byram somewhere, though you can always do the 2 D on the second PP unit like the Avs do to accommodate that I guess, and yes, balanced has to be better than 30 mins a night for a top pair, however good they are. It's a long season after all.

This dump would be in the offseason. I’d imagine a 3rd max to dump then for the 1 year.

But I’d do 2nd+3rd+Vanacek for Mrazek+Dickinson
Or just 3rd+Vanacek for Mrazek.

In a Mrazek swap you’ll still presumably need a goalie. If the cost isn’t too prohibitive Vanacek can certainly eat starts, with his age being in his 20s and recent quality play (last year) could certainly have some bounce back upside.

I’m not going to lie to you and say he’s been anything but horrific this year, but I could see why a team like Chi may want to take a chance on him

I’m sure we could find time on PP2 for him.

Maybe even

Jack Nico Bratt
Luke Hamilton

Meier Mercer Holtz
Byram Nemec

Old school. Two D on each unit. Does anyone still actually do that? Haven't noticed it in a long time, or maybe it's just that so many D are more mobile now. They do look pretty nicely rounded units though tbf.

Only way the Hawks do this is if Vanacek is an equal or better option than any of the UFA goalies available. I think the days of the Hawks just taking cap dumps for mid round picks are probably over.

It’s either that or replace one of the D with Palat. I think it would work with the way Luke plays on the PP

I cannot speak to Avs needs, but the story with McLeod is this….

Was former high pick. Didn’t get into lineup early (even on bad NJD team). Remade himself into ideal bottom-six center. Defense, forechecking, high energy. Is league leader (and on pace for NHL record) on face-offs.

Last year in playoffs, he found another gear and confidence has been high since. This year, he has been leaders among centers in GAR, xGF%. Longer write up here.

A week or two ago, a beat reporter (with spotty track record), reported that NJD may be shopping McLeod in their search for a dman. He since has had to retract that report…but that’s never going to stop ACGMers from ACGMing.

He is not a typical playoff caliber 2C (more of a 3C). But with his size, speed, defense and improved offensive and transition abilities (and cap hit), he could be appealing in market with so few centers available.

Does he return Byram? Doubtful…without other pieces involved. TJTwolf had suggested some path around moving RyJo and some picks.

Now here we are.

There is a thread I did earlier referencing our earlier conversations...... https://www.capfriendly.com/armchair-gm/team/4812595, and then the OP here has followed it up some more.

Only thing that would bother me here is giving Dickinson such a contract. Two years max, preferably one year. Maybe $2m x 1 year or $1.5m x 2.

Maybe you’re right. I’m never sure what the lower tiers of UFAs will cost.

This doesn’t feel like a great return for Byram imo

I really don't want to trade Mcleod, as he is becoming more of a 3rd line C. His value is getting higher, but we may have to part ways with him in some capacity in order to keep TT. I would throw in Byram and a goalie.

Shooting % jumped from 9% career to 22% this season.

I think he is more Curtis Lazar than Erik Haula.

If it came down to Tyler Toffoli extension or McLeod extension…I think I would lean McLeod. Wingers are always available…and we have some with potential in our pipeline. Can’t say same for centers.