Todd Cordell: New Jersey Devils Q&A: On deadline plans, addressing the defense & more

With the way Merrill has been playing as of late, do you think the Devils will select him as the 3rd D keeper in the expansion draft?

What do you think about shattenkirk? I know the odds are he either resigns with the blues or ends up with the rangers but do you think the Devils should over pay a little? I know his parents live in the New York area his father worked in my old building so the devils could be an option if he's looking to move to the area

What do you think about shattenkirk? I know the odds are he either resigns with the blues or ends up with the rangers but do you think the Devils should over pay a little? I know his parents live in the New York area his father worked in my old building so the devils could be an option if he's looking to move to the area
- Devils314

The thing with Shattenkirk: he has 1-2 high-end years left. Not to say he will be useless after, but Devils would be paying more for past performance than future performance.

With the way Merrill has been playing as of late, do you think the Devils will select him as the 3rd D keeper in the expansion draft?
- IrischesGlueck

I think the play of Merrill/Lovejoy/Moore down the stretch will determine who is protected. If Merrill continues on his current path, I'd put him ahead of the other two.

I think the play of Merrill/Lovejoy/Moore down the stretch will determine who is protected. If Merrill continues on his current path, I'd put him ahead of the other two.
- ToddCordellVAN

That's what common sense would be, but Shero's loyalty to ex-Pens will make him pick Lovejoy.

No thanks to delzaster. We have enough dmen that can't play defense.

The thing with Shattenkirk: he has 1-2 high-end years left. Not to say he will be useless after, but Devils would be paying more for past performance than future performance.
- ToddCordellVAN

Why so short? He's just turning 28 at the end of the month.

They've really got to find a way to pry away one of Anaheim's young defensemen prior to the expansion draft.

Appleby is crushing it, can't believe he wasn't drafted

Appleby is crushing it, can't believe he wasn't drafted
- Senor_Elias

Yeah, he's been crazy good. Listed as 6'4 and 210 with a .930 and 1.88 GAA. He's currently ranked the #2 goalie in the AHL.

They've really got to find a way to pry away one of Anaheim's young defensemen prior to the expansion draft.
- CaptCrankypants

Cam Fowler having a good year is screwing their plans up a bit. His price will be real high come the deadline, if they are still deciding to move him. They'll be really wanting to move Kevin Bieksa, since he has a NMC.

Cam Fowler having a good year is screwing their plans up a bit. His price will be real high come the deadline, if they are still deciding to move him. They'll be really wanting to move Kevin Bieksa, since he has a NMC.
- ElvisLemieux

Wouldn't mind Bieksa, what would they give up to get rid of him?

Cam Fowler having a good year is screwing their plans up a bit. His price will be real high come the deadline, if they are still deciding to move him. They'll be really wanting to move Kevin Bieksa, since he has a NMC.
- ElvisLemieux

No. I'd take Josh Manson though. I'd probably take Manson over Fowler actually.

Since Tavares most likely wont wanna stay in the poop show that is the islanders i say we trade our 1st+one of our 2nd for tavares(better than letting him walk free agent). this way we have an elite center for hall for like the next 5 years and the isles and use there two top 10 draft picks to retool. they'll get liljegren and patrick Make it happen shero. I mean we already know how good tavares looks in red.

Since Tavares most likely wont wanna stay in the poop show that is the islanders i say we trade our 1st+one of our 2nd for tavares(better than letting him walk free agent). this way we have an elite center for hall for like the next 5 years and the isles and use there two top 10 draft picks to retool. they'll get liljegren and patrick Make it happen shero. I mean we already know how good tavares looks in red.
- Krazykid

He has very recently said he's committed to the team. But we all know how that goes.

Since Tavares most likely wont wanna stay in the poop show that is the islanders i say we trade our 1st+one of our 2nd for tavares(better than letting him walk free agent). this way we have an elite center for hall for like the next 5 years and the isles and use there two top 10 draft picks to retool. they'll get liljegren and patrick Make it happen shero. I mean we already know how good tavares looks in red.
- Krazykid

You'd have to be crazy to pass up the opportunity to get Tavares, however, without a competent defense, this move does very little.