Every time I see Mercer for Swayman, I’m going to say substitute Hirscher.

Both are about as realistic

MTL isn't retaining on Anderson for 3 more seasons. Maybe in in 2025, I doubt before that.

Side note, I still find it somewhat funny that fans of other teams trash Anderson so much on CapFriendly (not necessarily you), but yet a lot still consistently try and trade for him with retention. Even Habs fans have stopped trading him, because he's been playing like hot garbage, and we all know he's worthless in his current state.

I think its first time I have traded for him. There were many, many MTL trades to NJD asking for Bratt, Nemec, Luke, or multiple 1st rounders in previous years. So...

Hischier is many times more valuable than any goalie.

If you want the permanent ire of Devils fans, by all means, ask.

But he is as untouchable as they come.

So is Swayman for the Bruins, that's the point he was trying to make. He's not available unless you're giving up a legit top 6 center.

You don’t seem to mind doing the same thing. Boston trading Swayman is about as realistic as NJD trading Hirscher. I think your GM already asked and Boston didn’t even entertain it for a reason.

Until he has extension in hand...I don't believe it.

Considering his history, he should be touchable until signed. He went through arbitration hearing process (80% of players that do end up on different teams within two years). They claimed they expected him to extend when window opened Jan 1st, he didn't. Shortly after those negotiations, he had very colorful comments about getting the respect he felt he deserved. Later as many predicted he would be signed just before or after deadline, but still no extension. (and he was spotted hugging other goalies at all-star game)

With all that...hard to say that guy is untouchable.

For a deal before deadline, of course, Boston didn't. They are competing this season.
But if they cannot find contract agreement next summer, things can change quickly.

Hischier is team captain, point-per-game center, selke candidate at 25 years old. And he is locked up for years at great AAV.

No disagreement there. And if NJD ever actually made a significant offer for Anderson (I'm assuming this was before they traded for Meier), it will be Kent Hughes' biggest flub as GM. But no way to know for sure. I really think it can't be understated just how bad Anderson has been. Not just for himself, but how bad he's been making his teammates look on whatever line he's on. And I'm someone who defended Anderson for years on here.

The bruins were actively trying to trade Ullmark, and apparently it came very close to happening. They don't do that if an extension with Sway isn't basically a sure thing at this point. He's not available, just accept it and move on to other goalies.

Yeah … I’m kind of curious to why it’s so hard to believe. The fact that discussions on Ullmark are happening to the point where he has to squash a trade should be enough to eliminate these rumors. Admire the stubborn nature, but I think NJD fans know it isn’t happening.

There is actually a much stronger argument that Dawson Mercer doesn’t fit the Devils long term cap position. They will need to give him a bridge deal this year, which removes almost all bargain possibilities with him long term.

If you want a goalie from Boston, it’s Ullmark.

Ullmark and the 2025 first for Dawson Mercer
Ullmark for NJD’s 2025 first

I’d say Ullmark and Boston 2025 first for NJD’s first post lottery, but I think that will be more valuable to them than Mercer,

I think in this case he's viewed as a guy who could be a better version of what Miles Wood brought on line 4. Not anything special, but could bring something NJD needs to the bottom 6. Certainly not worth his contract, or much at all

If Hanifin is signing that he’s staying in vegas easily

NJD should be able to afford an 8 year deal on mercer.

This year. I’m thinking more after Hughes and Nemec come up. As you said, you SHOULD be able to trade Mercer as long as he progresses, but I’d expect these two ELC contracts coming up will potentially be problematic.

From every long term thinking contract I've done it should be okay. As long as Luke+Nemec+Mercer+Holtz stay sub 25-26 mill combined (8+9+5+3), should be able to get away with just moving out 1 of Marino, Hamilton, Palat, or I guess Mercer.

Do you think those numbers are realistic with the expected cap increase? I’d see a few of those numbers as risk. It can be a problem for another day, but I do think that’s why I’d rate the 2024 first ahead of Mercer if I was NJ and why I’d probably focus on Holtz as a return for a goalie.

I don't think Luke and Nemec if they want long term deals at age 21 are in positions to be asking for significantly more than the Sanderson/Power deals. 9 mill AAV each max. If you can get Mercer in at 5 mill (maybe you cut down to like 6 years if needed), should be okay. We'll see what Holtz wants as an RFA, and that would be the time to move him if he's too expensive. Bring in Arseni, Casey to fill holes, hope to get another quality guy at 8th overall for example.

Even going up to 92 mill in 3 years that's about a 10 mill increase. or about 9 mill each on nemec/Hughes compared to the power/sanderson deals. I'd hope they'd take some kind of discount tho.

If we need immediate cap savings we can slow play mercer with his RFA and trade him in his last RFA year for a haul.