Todd Cordell: New Jersey Devils: On The Possibility Of Taking On Pavel Datsyuk's Contract

Even if (massive qualifier) trading AA and Datsyuk's cap space guaranteed the wings would sign Stamkos, I'm not sure they would be better off in the long run. Both Jurco and Pulkkinen have had a tough time sticking in the wings line up and I could see either of them burning the wings with the opportunity a fresh start could provide, but getting the cap space from Dats could allow them to shore up the area that actually needs work (defense).

Even if (massive qualifier) trading AA and Datsyuk's cap space guaranteed the wings would sign Stamkos, I'm not sure they would be better off in the long run. Both Jurco and Pulkkinen have had a tough time sticking in the wings line up and I could see either of them burning the wings with the opportunity a fresh start could provide, but getting the cap space from Dats could allow them to shore up the area that actually needs work (defense).
- JohnnySoze

Why exactly does Jurco and Pulkkinen keep getting out of the lineup? Like Todd said, Pulkkinen had excelled at the AHL level and he had some good totals this years, but to me, he not too appealing to take Dats. And he 24 now, so I don't know how much room he has.

For a decent prospect and a good pick, I'd do it.

Personally, I don't mind getting a better pick and waiting like with Savard.

That said, this really all depends on how Mr. Shero envisions the rebuild. If the reality is we aren't going to make a splash this off-season then by all means acquire assets and picks for the future. If we are going to try and sign people and try to be a playoff team then don't burn the cap space.

If I were to take on Datsyuk's contract, I would need something big. Evgeny Svechnikov, Andreas Athanasiou, Anthony Mantha, or this years 1st would be my main targets. I would even be willing to part with some pieces to get them (2017/2018 2nd round pick and a 2016 3rd)

Point is, after the trade carolina made; I think teams are looking for similar returns. Even trading Pulkkinen would need at least a pair of 2nds to make it worthwhile in my opinion.

I would be happy with not making any big splashes this summer besides resigning Schlmko and possibly Stemp.

I would be comfortable doing Bos 4th this year and FL 2nd 2018 for Dats and Det 1st this year. Then hopefully snag up someone like Gauthier with their pick. Overpayment, underpayment, thoughts?

I would be happy with not making any big splashes this summer besides resigning Schlmko and possibly Stemp.

I would be comfortable doing Bos 4th this year and FL 2nd 2018 for Dats and Det 1st this year. Then hopefully snag up someone like Gauthier with their pick. Overpayment, underpayment, thoughts?
- TwoPumpChump91

Wouldn't mind it, but I would prefer Bellows or Bean. It would depend on who we pick at 11th. If we were to pick Keller, then Bean. If we picked someone like Sergachev, then Bellows.

Our defense is weak on the left side.

Wouldn't mind it, but I would prefer Bellows or Bean. It would depend on who we pick at 11th. If we were to pick Keller, then Bean. If we picked someone like Sergachev, then Bellows.

Our defense is weak on the left side.
- Devils9503

Agreed, it is. I wouldn't really argue who we get as long as it isnt someone completely off the board ala boston. Ive done research on the top 12ish guys and would really like keller, but trust our staff enough to not complain about whomever we pick. I loved the Zacha pick and people were bashing it less than 24 hours later.

I only brought up J.G. as i am impressed by his size, speed, and shot. Imagine keller inbetween PZ and FG in a few years...

I think taking on a bad contract to get a prospect for free is a good strategy, but the problem is that we already did that with Savard. We have a lot of money on LTIR that will not count towards the cap, but only when the season starts. So the big problem here is that by taking Datsyuk's contract, we won't have that much money to actually fill out a roster.

I think taking on a bad contract to get a prospect for free is a good strategy, but the problem is that we already did that with Savard. We have a lot of money on LTIR that will not count towards the cap, but only when the season starts. So the big problem here is that by taking Datsyuk's contract, we won't have that much money to actually fill out a roster.
- Pomegrant

Exactly. Plus the handful of other teams that DET could trade to. We can't price ourselves out. Realistically I doubt holland will trade the 16th pick to get rid of the contract.

well, there are loads of theories on this "potential" trade. Sorry for the lengthy post, but I hope you find it a good, fair read----

A few things to to note.

*There is a huge difference of "would like" and "desperate to trade", I don't think Detroit is as desperate as many make it out to be. They can comfortably ice the same team they had before Dastyuk came back half way. Im no way saying he would not be needed, but without Dastyuk, the Wings were still a competent club.

*According to Detroit Free Press, this quote was put in there:
One thing to note: With UFAs such as Kyle Quincey and Brad Richards (a combined $7 million) coming off of the books, the Wings are able to make an offer in the $10-million range to Tampa Bay Lightning forward Steven Stamkos without moving Datsyuk's contract.

this comes from the same article, where the asking price of Evgeni and AA is.
http://www.freep.com/stor...ngs-ken-holland/86178198/

*Remember that teams will also have to reach the cap floor. You can get FAs sure, but that also costs actual real dollars and commitments, taking on Datsyuk's contract will cost an owner nothing out of pocket.... 0$ salary but you meet the cap floor, this should not be overlooked and after 1yr the hit goes away, its a flexible cap floor reach... so its not taking on a bad contract, its taking on cap space ONLY.

In summary, I think Holland has no issue icing a simliar team to last year and that is most likely what will happen unless teams wanting FREE cap space lower their prices....

so "desperate" is not a word I would use here.

Agreed, it is. I wouldn't really argue who we get as long as it isnt someone completely off the board ala boston. Ive done research on the top 12ish guys and would really like keller, but trust our staff enough to not complain about whomever we pick. I loved the Zacha pick and people were bashing it less than 24 hours later.

I only brought up J.G. as i am impressed by his size, speed, and shot. Imagine keller inbetween PZ and FG in a few years...
- TwoPumpChump91

Zacha's gonna be a center, that's what Shero sees him as and he didn't look out of place when he played. Unless you mean, between them on the 2nd line.

well, there are loads of theories on this "potential" trade. Sorry for the lengthy post, but I hope you find it a good, fair read----

A few things to to note.

*There is a huge difference of "would like" and "desperate to trade", I don't think Detroit is as desperate as many make it out to be. They can comfortably ice the same team they had before Dastyuk came back half way. Im no way saying he would not be needed, but without Dastyuk, the Wings were still a competent club.

*According to Detroit Free Press, this quote was put in there:
One thing to note: With UFAs such as Kyle Quincey and Brad Richards (a combined $7 million) coming off of the books, the Wings are able to make an offer in the $10-million range to Tampa Bay Lightning forward Steven Stamkos without moving Datsyuk's contract.

this comes from the same article, where the asking price of Evgeni and AA is.
http://www.freep.com/stor...ngs-ken-holland/86178198/

*Remember that teams will also have to reach the cap floor. You can get FAs sure, but that also costs actual real dollars and commitments, taking on Datsyuk's contract will cost an owner nothing out of pocket.... 0$ salary but you meet the cap floor, this should not be overlooked and after 1yr the hit goes away, its a flexible cap floor reach... so its not taking on a bad contract, its taking on cap space ONLY.

In summary, I think Holland has no issue icing a simliar team to last year and that is most likely what will happen unless teams wanting FREE cap space lower their prices....

so "desperate" is not a word I would use here.
- BooBoo997

Holland doesn't want the 7.5 cap hit on the team though, he knows they need to improve and not just bidding for Stamkos. Detroit barely made the playoffs with Datsyuk.

Forget taking on that contract. Sign palmieri dsp and go get 2 o 3 guys and get them on the team..... I dont know how hockey fans are so okay with their team being bad.. Ohh we shouldnt go for it this year, that philosophy makes no sense to a sports fans ....

Holland doesn't want the 7.5 cap hit on the team though, he knows they need to improve and not just bidding for Stamkos. Detroit barely made the playoffs with Datsyuk.
- Devils9503

I would not "want" it either, however, if they have 70mil to spend on Stamkos that means they would have it for others aswell. My point is, other teams say DET is desperate... I say it is a want and they are willing to pay up something but KH is not near desperate enough to give up what other GMs want, considering teams who need to reach the cap floor would already be winning by getting a contract without a salary that would help them, that keeps being overlooked...

Forget taking on that contract. Sign palmieri dsp and go get 2 o 3 guys and get them on the team..... I dont know how hockey fans are so okay with their team being bad.. Ohh we shouldnt go for it this year, that philosophy makes no sense to a sports fans ....
- Jamincito

Probably has to do more with owners not wanting to spend money vs being bad. Hence why the NJD are even in this discussion... hit the floor, without spending a dime.. oh and getting a Pelkinen/Jurco in the process, for nothing.

Probably has to do more with owners not wanting to spend money vs being bad. Hence why the NJD are even in this discussion... hit the floor, without spending a dime.. oh and getting a Pelkinen/Jurco in the process, for nothing.
- BooBoo997

retaining half the contract I'm sure is an option. I know holland said he won't hinder the future on this one year contract. But maybe that's an option if NJ really wants that contract.

Forget taking on that contract. Sign palmieri dsp and go get 2 o 3 guys and get them on the team..... I dont know how hockey fans are so okay with their team being bad.. Ohh we shouldnt go for it this year, that philosophy makes no sense to a sports fans ....
- Jamincito

So you like how Lou ran things?

retaining half the contract I'm sure is an option. I know holland said he won't hinder the future on this one year contract. But maybe that's an option if NJ really wants that contract.
- K-dizzle

some truth to that for sure. This is a very good point, I guess I took a long winded approach to saying, Holland there are other options to move that contract without giving up the asking price but can still make it fair for the other team taking on the deal. If your going to take one on... hell, get a prospect and not paying a dime is a pretty solid get for 1yr I would say.

some truth to that for sure. This is a very good point, I guess I took a long winded approach to saying, Holland there are other options to move that contract without giving up the asking price but can still make it fair for the other team taking on the deal. If your going to take one on... hell, get a prospect and not paying a dime is a pretty solid get for 1yr I would say.
- BooBoo997

It's almost weird cause I feel holland can get a small bidding war for this contract.

Trading dead contracts? When did the NHL become the NBA? Wonder if the devils can pick up the chris pronger contract sometime this summer?

As I feared, the McKenzie list just came out and Keller is slated to go 8th and Brown at 10th.

Tyson Jost would fall to us at 11. And remember, his is the most accurate (though there's still a decent chance we get one of those other two centers). Don't be surprised if this ends up being our guy. A lot of different things can happen, but I expect we'll get one of Brown, Keller, or Jost.

As I feared, the McKenzie list just came out and Keller is slated to go 8th and Brown at 10th.

Tyson Jost would fall to us at 11. And remember, his is the most accurate (though there's still a decent chance we get one of those other two centers). Don't be surprised if this ends up being our guy. A lot of different things can happen, but I expect we'll get one of Brown, Keller, or Jost.
- archromat

If both Keller and Brown are gone, it's likely that Sergachev or Chychrun is available. I'd be happy selecting a LHD with top 4 potential. Then try and get a forward like Benson if he falls far enough in the 2nd round

Looking at this Jost guy. I don't get Canada, why is playing in the BCHL instead of the WHL? Is it an age thing, or was it a choice?

Looking at this Jost guy. I don't get Canada, why is playing in the BCHL instead of the WHL? Is it an age thing, or was it a choice?
- TheJerseyDevil1

Gives him the option to go to college. I believe a CHL team owns his rights so if college wouldn't work out (highly unlikely) he could play there.