Do Devils fans like this? It looks half decent for Ottawa if Karlsson demands a trade and is leaving no matter what.
Who plays top 9 center for the Devils then though? Hischier and Zajac and ... who?
I would absolutely do that trade if ONE OF Zacha or McLeod were taken out. We can't afford to give up both of our promising young center prospects. Take Zacha since he's shown some flashes at the NHL level. McLeod is an unknown although he's obviously too good for juniors right now.
Hall-Hischier-Bratt
Johansson-Zacha/McLeod-Palmieri
Wood-Zajac-Noesen/Stafford
Gibbons-Boyle-Coleman
Greene-Karlsson
Moore-Vatanen
Butcher-Santini/Mueller
Schneider/Kinkaid
I like it.
Also, for his no trade list:
1. Los Angeles (No one else put LA on their list I don't think... however as it stands, they have Doughty as the #1RD. Wherever Karlsson goes he's going to get paid big bucks in his next contract and will want to he THE GUY and not compete for #1RD, #1PP time with Doughty.)
2. NYR (Cup window is closing, not opening. If they win it's going to be right now or they will be in a re-tool/re-build. Might hurt Karlsson's chances of re-signing there and NYR SHOULD'NT want to pay what it will cost to get him just for a rental).
3. Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Calgary (TOR/MTL due to salary cap and media pressure. VAN is rebuilding and not close. CGY because of uncertainty regarding arena/status in city/and still re-tooling).
4. Florida
5. Arizona
6. Colorado
7. Vegas (Not a very strong prospect base. Also an uncertain future. If they don't keep winning, they will absolutely sell off pieces for picks/prospects at the deadline. Not enough guys are on long term deals for Karlsson to see the vision of this team's near future. Obviously he will want to win in the next 7-8 years).
8. Detroit- Uncertain when they will be a cup contender again especially with Zetterberg's career winding down. Also, if the team is not good, it's an unappealing area.
9. Pittsburgh- They won their championships and sooner or later people will be asking if it's time to trade Malkin or Crosby. If Karlsson wants to win right now, let's see where Pittsburgh is at the deadline and he could go there as a rental.... That being said, Ottawa can get more from a team that wants to keep Karlsson long term.
10. Islanders- I had a tough time putting them on this list because they are a solid club and are only getting better. HOWEVER the arena situation puts the team in limbo as far as being an attractive option. They definitely won't stay at Barclays which is terrible for hockey anyway.
Regarding the Devils. Yeah we were supposed to suck this year... and will definitely suck soon if we play too many games like tonight without Hall, Johansson, and Palmieri in the lineup. HOWEVER. This team has taken a sharp turn upwards with the emergence of Bratt, Hischier, and Butcher... Hall is playing like a freaking beast and Johansson was playing his best hockey before getting hurt. The Devils are a good team. The biggest need is a second line center that should be filled by McLeod or Zacha... whichever doesn't get traded to Ottawa. I know people like to think of New Jersey as an unattractive location... however.... this is New York City. Prudential Center is like 5-7 miles or so away from Madison Square Garden. Plus we have our own attractive areas like Jersey City or Hoboken where many Devils, Red Bulls, Giants, Jets, and famous people live. Jersey has some of the most affluent suburbs in the country for wealthy people to live in and also some of the best private schools in the country. Besides the arena being in Newark, a player never has to deal with anything related to Newark as far as living and getting around. If Shero keeps this team at the same pace regarding this rebuild and re-tooling, the Devils will be a contender much sooner than people here would like to admit. Karlsson would be the exact piece that could get the Devils there.