I question if you'd want Mcleod and Foote but NJD accepts in a heartbeat

Heavily favours the Devils that's for sure.

Two firsts that would be expected to be late round, a cap dump goalie with an extra year, two players who may never play again and arguably have negative value at present (publicity factor alone would be detrimental), and a big average 3rd pair D. Guentzel with retention is probably worth the firsts on his own.

Two 1sts for a rental forward and a D for long term? Also, the Devils don't require the retention.

Bahl+1st for Pettersson. Sold
1st for Guentzel. Sold
Vanacek for Ned. Sold

except they would never move Guentzel for only a 1st.
It would be a 1st, a lower pick like a 2nd or 3rd, and a blue chip prospect.

Hence why, like I said, this proposed trade would be a straight up fleece for NJD

In a year the Devils are absolutely in the playoffs? Sure? But now, they are 50/50 at best and this isn't worth mortgaging next year too.

Sharks decline. The value that they get from the 4th is going to be less than the value they potentially lose from the Penguins doing better (Sharks have the Penguins' 1st).