Value of: NJ players
- Thread starter Richard88
- Start date
It's pretty much up to Zajac if he wants to traded - of course because of his full NTC, though Fitz would also probably be as accommodating as possible to finding Zajac a preferred landing spot if he does decide to chase a Cup this Spring.
In other words, even if the returns are underwhelming on Zajac but he would like to try to win a Cup, Fitz would do him a solid and take the deal.
Arthur Morgan
Registered User
Classic Devil
Spirit of 1988
So here's the thing on Miles Wood:
• He's in his prime at 25, so you shouldn't anticipate immediate decline
• He's under contract for the rest of this season and next season at $2,750,000/year
• He's currently scoring at a 25 goal pace over an 82 game season
• He's fast, physical, and his defensive game is decent
• He doesn't rely on his linemates to produce, although they certainly can help
The combination of this set of factors makes him an incredibly valuable asset, and more importantly an asset that playoff contenders are going to want. He won't break their budget, he can be around for two cup runs, he brings size and strength to any lineup, he's one of the fastest straight-ahead players in the NHL, and he's got a good scoring touch.
I hope for a bidding war, and if we don't trade him I won't be heartbroken about it. At this point I basically want a Coleman-like return for him.
Zajac is a 2nd and a prospect IMO. He's an ideal center depth vet for a contender, a la Bobby Carpenter in 1995. But yeah, his NTC dictates his value here.
I don't think Vatanen has much value. I don't think Wedgewood has much value. 4th round picks or later for each, probably.
• He's in his prime at 25, so you shouldn't anticipate immediate decline
• He's under contract for the rest of this season and next season at $2,750,000/year
• He's currently scoring at a 25 goal pace over an 82 game season
• He's fast, physical, and his defensive game is decent
• He doesn't rely on his linemates to produce, although they certainly can help
The combination of this set of factors makes him an incredibly valuable asset, and more importantly an asset that playoff contenders are going to want. He won't break their budget, he can be around for two cup runs, he brings size and strength to any lineup, he's one of the fastest straight-ahead players in the NHL, and he's got a good scoring touch.
I hope for a bidding war, and if we don't trade him I won't be heartbroken about it. At this point I basically want a Coleman-like return for him.
Zajac is a 2nd and a prospect IMO. He's an ideal center depth vet for a contender, a la Bobby Carpenter in 1995. But yeah, his NTC dictates his value here.
I don't think Vatanen has much value. I don't think Wedgewood has much value. 4th round picks or later for each, probably.
I think/hope he offers up something to Palms pre-trade to come back in the summer, after getting a good haul for him. I 'd be open (less though) for TZ. He would have to sign a $750K deal for 1 yr like Greene did in LI. Woudl also be contingent on how we thought the young fwds coming up are ready or not. I would really prefer something like moving Goose for Bennett in Cal, see if he can get into the player he was drafted to be. And see what could be done to get some good wingers for the Cs like a Sam Reinhart. Our depth is great just need one really good winger on L1 and L2
SpeakingOfTheDevils
Devils Advocate
He’s healthy and, outside of a few weeks after our pause, he’s been excellent. Very stabilizing.
Wood also has value in that he's still an RFA after is contract expires after next season.
Vatanen's value is tough to gauge. On one hand, he was injured for weeks leading up to last season's trade deadline and still returned a 3rd round pick & fairly decent prospect in Kuokkanen. He's still just 29 years old and RHD are tougher to find.
On the other hand, his ice time has been cut significantly this season from 21:45 last year to 17:05, though there are a few reasons for that. The top reason is he was taken off the PP, where he averaged 3:02 last year - tops on the team among defensemen. (FWIW, the Devils PP has gone from 18.0% last year to 14.0% this year, though the coaching staff change bears most responsibility). The Devils also added more competent defenders this season in Smith, Murray & Kulikov replacing the likes of Mueller, Carrick, Butcher and what was left of Greene.
Still, prior to this season, Vantanen has averaged 21:43 over the prior 6 seasons playing in all situations. I don't expect the return we got for him last year, but at least a 3rd rounder feels about right. Not sure what other RHD are available, which may also impact his price. I think he's still a solid bottom pairing defenseman that can step up if needed and would provide good value for a 3rd rounder.
Richard88
John 3:16
- Jun 29, 2019
- 19,181
- 20,819
I appreciate what you're saying about Wood, and I agree that his unique characteristics are valuable.
That said, bear in mind that his caphit is $1m higher than Coleman. Moreover, the expansion draft will limit teams who will be interested, as many will be mindful of their protection slots. The two week delay for Canadian teams will also virtually eliminate 25% of the potential market for him, thereby drastically reducing the odds of a bidding war. Recall that there were many teams interested in Coleman, including the Avs who were rumoured to have had a trade offer accepted for him that was obviously lower than Tampa's offer.
If 1st + Foote is what you want I think you'll find that teams look elsewhere as there's no shortage of forwards available at this years deadline.
If Palmieri and Zajac walk/get traded this TDL, I don't think the Devils can afford to trade Wood. If those 3 are gone it's basically Bratt, Severson, and Zacha as the leadership group with a bunch of rookies and free agents coming in.
Rather surprisingly, Vatanen has emerged as a PK specialist this year. Devils PK was a total tire fire earlier in the season until the quartets started to gel and figure out the diamond system. Vats has clocked top PK minutes through this resurgence.
He's still not getting any PP time which remains something of mystery as Devils are not exactly setting the world on fire there either, but whatever. Point being that if you need a quick fix for your special teams, Vats just might be a part of your solution.
I’d send you a fourth from Montreal for vatanen. Make it a third with 50 % retention if you like
Tender Rip
Wears long pants
I'd assume unless Zajac is looking to hang them up, he gets re-signed by the Devils on the first day of free agency, with that being agreed upon from before Zajac is even approached with something concrete about the NTC.
He'd be one of the purest rentals ever.
Either way, I'd really like the Pens to go for him if it is clear that we get the other forwards back healthy, starting of course with Malkin, because otherwise there's no reason to spend anything.
If we do get them back however, I like our lineup with Zajac quite a bit with a hard to play bottom6 that can eat minutes against good opposition and pitch in now and then. I'd suggest that Petterson as a young number 4LD is our best play to get him. With a lot of money tied up on LD and capable cheaper guys who can jump in, that has secondary benefits for the Pens too. I see from some NJ posters that the position is at least a need, and some have mentioned Pets also.
Guentzel Crosby Rust
McCann Malkin Kapanen
Zucker Zajac Angello
Aston Reese Blueger Tanev
Maybe flip McCann and Zucker, but not a lot of easy minutes out there against that group.
Richard88
John 3:16
- Jun 29, 2019
- 19,181
- 20,819
That does look like a formidable forward group with everyone healthy. There are still questions in net and on D though, especially if you're moving Petterson to bring Zajac in.
Richard88
John 3:16
- Jun 29, 2019
- 19,181
- 20,819
As much as Miles Wood fits the Avs well, realistically it's probably unlikely that Sakic would jeopardise the teams expansion draft plan by acquiring a forward under contract beyond this season given how meticulous and calculated he is with all his trades.
As it stands Avs will protect Mackinnon, Rantanen, Landeskog, Kadri, Burakovsky, Nichuskin, Jost; Makar, Girard, Toews; and Grubauer. The exposed players will be Compher, Donskoi, Graves, and Francouz; along with Johnson (assuming that he waives, if not he'll get bought out). MacDonald and O'Connor will also meet the criteria if they play another 9 and 10 games respectively. That setup is perfect, as Avs would be fine with losing any one of Graves/Compher/Donskoi and their $3m+ contract. But if you add a Miles Wood in there you're exposing and likely losing one of Wood, Nichuskin, or Jost, while not getting that $3m+ in cap relief.
Tender Rip
Wears long pants
Part of the appeal of moving Petterson is that with Matheson added, Petterson is third LD choice looking at minutes and we have three guys who can play 3rd pairing LD for a lot less. We have depth on D, not at F.
Jarry and DeSmith are... not certainties. But both are playing good enough to win with. Jarry’s numbers are all down to his first handful of games this season. He’s been quality since.
SpeakingOfTheDevils
Devils Advocate
Richard88
John 3:16
- Jun 29, 2019
- 19,181
- 20,819
In theory it's not a bad idea, but it's an uneccessary risk to give Seattle the chance to select Landeskog and put a huge contract under his nose that we wouldn't want to match and thereby lose him for nothing. As much as it would be nice to have an extra protection slot the difference between Jost the 8th and 9th forward isn't really worth risking losing a top line forward.
AfroThunder396
[citation needed]
Wood is also RFA at the end of his contract, whereas Coleman is UFA.
AfroThunder396
[citation needed]
Severson is not available unless its for fireable overpayment
It will be interesting to see what Ekholm gets if he's traded. Severson will be in a similar situation next season if the Devils are not in the playoffs.
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