Todd Cordell: New Jersey Devils Q&A: Trade deadline edition

The way teams freak out about defense at the deadline, and with Hainsey going for a 2nd rounder plus, I think Quincey's value is higher than we might think.

Here's a question for you Todd. Is Vatanen capable of being a #1 defenseman (and a good one at that?

My opinion on what the Devils biggest needs are going forward is, in order:
#1 Defenseman
#1 Center
#2/3 defenseman (depending on Severson's development)
top 6 RW.

After that you have enough depth and youth coming up to fill out the rest of the roster and enough secondary scoring with Henrique, Zajac, Palmieri, and hopefully Zacha, that I'm not so much keen on the idea of finding another Palmieri trade as I am finding those big pieces, especially the first two.

RW could be solved easiest (not easily, just easier than the rest). Basically either go after Oshie or hope that Speers develops into that player. Preferably both.

Right now my solution for #1 center is just pray they win a top 2 lottery pick or find the next Patrice Bergeron/Kopitar in the draft.

For defense, I think if you go Greene-Severson; Auvitu-Santini, those could be your 2nd and 3rd pairs. If Vatanen can drive the play on a top pairing, I think that's your best bet for getting that #1 defender because even if Trouba gets moved NJ doesn't have the assets to compete in that bidding. Shattenkirk is most likely not coming here either. Alternatively, you could just trade Schneider and hope you retain that #1 selection in the lottery to draft Dahlin next year.

Have they released updates on zacha?

Do the Devils miss Larrson....would anyone of the Devils fans like to reverse the trade?

Do the Devils miss Larrson....would anyone of the Devils fans like to reverse the trade?
- Garnie

No

Todd Cordell: New Jersey Devils Q&A: Trade deadline edition
- Todd.Cordell

Do you think we are DOOMED?

Do the Devils miss Larrson....would anyone of the Devils fans like to reverse the trade?
- Garnie

Not a chance.

What about this:

To NJ: Filppula, Garrison, Point, and TB 2017 1st
To TB: 2018 2nd, maybe something else

Filppula 5 mil, Garrison 4.6 mil. That's 9.6 mil off of TB's cap, a young player and first for taking on them.

The reason I target TB and those 2 veterans is because their contracts end next season on July 1, 2018. So they could trade them this year or next for more assets.

What about this:

To NJ: Filppula, Garrison, Point, and TB 2017 1st
To TB: 2018 2nd, maybe something else

Filppula 5 mil, Garrison 4.6 mil. That's 9.6 mil off of TB's cap, a young player and first for taking on them.

The reason I target TB and those 2 veterans is because their contracts end next season on July 1, 2018. So they could trade them this year or next for more assets.
- Devils9503

wow

wow
- shvingter88

it's quite the trade.

What about this:

To NJ: Filppula, Garrison, Point, and TB 2017 1st
To TB: 2018 2nd, maybe something else

Filppula 5 mil, Garrison 4.6 mil. That's 9.6 mil off of TB's cap, a young player and first for taking on them.

The reason I target TB and those 2 veterans is because their contracts end next season on July 1, 2018. So they could trade them this year or next for more assets.
- Devils9503

That's way too much. Filppula is still a useful, if somewhat overpaid player. TB needs to clear space, but they also have a lot of players people would be interested in.

I think Point is definitely the guy to ask for, but I'd say, we'll take Callahan (assuming he's willing to waive the NMC) and throw you a 3rd. It's a huge contract to take on, but you're grabbing a very good young player in return who's buried a little in TB's depth chart. You have the cap space right now and will next year as well. He's been a productive player to this point, and while how much he has left in the tank is a very big question, you can stick him on a 4th line in a couple years if necessary (or buy him out).

That's way too much. Filppula is still a useful, if somewhat overpaid player. TB needs to clear space, but they also have a lot of players people would be interested in.

I think Point is definitely the guy to ask for, but I'd say, we'll take Callahan (assuming he's willing to waive the NMC) and throw you a 3rd. It's a huge contract to take on, but you're grabbing a very good young player in return who's buried a little in TB's depth chart. You have the cap space right now and will next year as well. He's been a productive player to this point, and while how much he has left in the tank is a very big question, you can stick him on a 4th line in a couple years if necessary (or buy him out).
- CaptCrankypants

Callahan last year 73 gp, 10 goals, and 28 points. He's been injured for the most of this year. In 18 games this year, 2 goals, 4 points.

Filppula last year, 76 games, 8 goals, 31 points. This year 57 games, 7 goals, 33 points.

I would stay away from Callahan by any means necessary. Point is a good player, but not nearly as good as taking 5.8 mil for 3 more years. Filppula and Garrison's contracts end next year.

Burying his 5.8 mil on the 4th line or buy out makes no sense to take him on then.

TB is still getting value back, while gaining cap space.

https://www.capfriendly.com/teams/lightning

Callahan last year 73 gp, 10 goals, and 28 points. He's been injured for the most of this year. In 18 games this year, 2 goals, 4 points.

Filppula last year, 76 games, 8 goals, 31 points. This year 57 games, 7 goals, 33 points.

I would stay away from Callahan by any means necessary. Point is a good player, but not nearly as good as taking 5.8 mil for 3 more years. Filppula and Garrison's contracts end next year.

Burying his 5.8 mil on the 4th line or buy out makes no sense to take him on then.

TB is still getting value back, while gaining cap space.

https://www.capfriendly.com/teams/lightning
- Devils9503

Capfriendly is how I came up with the Callahan idea. I want the best possible return in assets, so you take the worst possible contract.

NJ's biggest asset is cap space, in fact they arguably have the best situation in the league in that regard. And remember Savard and Clowe will be coming off the books in the next couple years and the only guy they have to pay who will cost anything significant is Severson. So you'd be replacing Savard with 1.8 mill for Callahan in year one, and Clowe for under a million in year two if you look at it that way. If NJ is tight on cap space after that you can worry about it then.

There are a number of team that are going to be looking at TB's situation and saying, "hmmm, I bet if we take a bad contract off of their hands we could get a good pick or young player in return." The vultures will be circling and you're going to have to put a competitive offer forward.

The idea is that you are taking a contract that literally no one will want for a young guy who IMO is going to be a great player. Depending on how TB feels about him, maybe you can get Point + a pick. But I don't think Filppula will net a significant return in assets and I want nothing to do with Garrison. The last thing the Devils need is more bad defensemen (again, cap hit is irrelevant right now).

What about this:

To NJ: Filppula, Garrison, Point, and TB 2017 1st
To TB: 2018 2nd, maybe something else

Filppula 5 mil, Garrison 4.6 mil. That's 9.6 mil off of TB's cap, a young player and first for taking on them.

The reason I target TB and those 2 veterans is because their contracts end next season on July 1, 2018. So they could trade them this year or next for more assets.
- Devils9503

I like how you're thinking, but no way do they do that

Capfriendly is how I came up with the Callahan idea. I want the best possible return in assets, so you take the worst possible contract.

NJ's biggest asset is cap space, in fact they arguably have the best situation in the league in that regard. And remember Savard and Clowe will be coming off the books in the next couple years and the only guy they have to pay who will cost anything significant is Severson. So you'd be replacing Savard with 1.8 mill for Callahan in year one, and Clowe for under a million in year two if you look at it that way. If NJ is tight on cap space after that you can worry about it then.

There are a number of team that are going to be looking at TB's situation and saying, "hmmm, I bet if we take a bad contract off of their hands we could get a good pick or young player in return." The vultures will be circling and you're going to have to put a competitive offer forward.

The idea is that you are taking a contract that literally no one will want for a young guy who IMO is going to be a great player. Depending on how TB feels about him, maybe you can get Point + a pick. But I don't think Filppula will net a significant return in assets and I want nothing to do with Garrison. The last thing the Devils need is more bad defensemen (again, cap hit is irrelevant right now).
- CaptCrankypants

Droinn, Johnson, Palat, +Hedman's extra 3,875,000 next season.

Point and Callahan for a 3rd is not the best possibly return for that contract.
And putting a guy that makes 5.8 on the 4th line, like you said, are not the types of contracts you go searching for. Clowe(4.85), Garrison(4.6), and Filppula(5) ends next year, that's almost 15mil that comes off after next year.

I'm well aware that Savard and Clowe's contract come off, but that doesn't mean to go get the worse contract and little return for taking it. Filppula may not get you a 2nd/1st, but we could get a 3rd for him while eating cap. And I don't really want Garrison, but for 1 more year I would take him in that package. It's not what Filppula and Garrison will get us next year, it's targeting a team that needs to clear space now or next year.

Vultures will circle, but how many can take them now?

There are no free agents this year to go and spend money on. We should not sign Shattenkirk at all. Shattenkirk is 4th among STL dmen under Pietrangelo, Bouwmeester, and Parayko, he is being sheltered on STL. If signed as a free agent, he would be making 7.5 to be a #1 guy and he's not.

Shattenkirk 60 games played, 11 goals, 42 points and -10. 7 ppg and 13ppa.22 points 5v5.

Severson 60 games played, 3 goals, 26 points, -28. 12 ppa.

I feel Severson is our Shattenkirk, we just need guys on this team that are better then what we currently have.

Droinn, Johnson, Palat, +Hedman's extra 3,875,000 next season.

Point and Callahan for a 3rd is not the best possibly return for that contract.

I'm well aware that Savard and Clowe's contract come off, but that doesn't mean to go get the worse contract and little return for taking it. Filppula may not get you a 2nd/1st, but we could get a 3rd for him while eating cap. And I don't really want Garrison, but for 1 more year I would take him in that package.

There are no free agents this year to go and spend money on. We should not sign Shattenkirk at all. Shattenkirk is 4th among STL dmen under Pietrangelo, Bouwmeester, and Parayko, he is being sheltered on STL. If signed as a free agent, he would be making 7.5 to be a #1 guy and he's not.

Shattenkirk 60 games played, 11 goals, 42 points and -10. 7 ppg and 13ppa.22 points 5v5.

Severson 60 games played, 3 goals, 26 points, -28. 12 ppa.

I feel Severson is our Shattenkirk, we just need guys on this team that are better then what we currently have.
- Devils9503

Even if I'm overvaluing Point (which is a good possibility) I still think you take the worse contract for the better return. I don't like the term with Callahan, but it's going to get you a lot more back than Filppula and taking a bad defenseman is a horrible idea.

I'd rather go with Todd's idea of trading for Vatanen and then signing a guy like Brendan Smith who has a pretty good shot attempt differential.

Even if I'm overvaluing Point (which is a good possibility) I still think you take the worse contract for the better return. I don't like the term with Callahan, but it's going to get you a lot more back than Filppula and taking a bad defenseman is a horrible idea.

I'd rather go with Todd's idea of trading for Vatanen and then signing a guy like Brendan Smith who has a pretty good shot attempt differential.
- CaptCrankypants

But cap hit and production wise, Filppula and Garrison is a better package to trade then just Callahan. I mentioned Smith last week about trading for him because I thought he was better then what we had and some guys disagreed on here. Vatanen I wouldn't mind, but the Devils would be giving up more then they can afford. I just don't see the Devils having the pieces to get him and I wouldn't trade our 1st this year.

The TB deal helps both teams.

Isn't callahan injured?

But cap hit and production wise, Filppula and Garrison is a better package to trade then just Callahan. I mentioned Smith last week about trading for him because I thought he was better then what we had and some guys disagreed on here. Vatanen I wouldn't mind, but the Devils would be giving up more then they can afford. I just don't see the Devils having the pieces to get him and I wouldn't trade our 1st this year.

The TB deal helps both teams.
- Devils9503

1. The idea is to take on a bad contract. You're saying, "we'll do you a favor and make this go away, but you have to give us something great to make it worth our while. If the player is a shell of himself, that's not the point, in fact, you get more in return that way. Like, Point would probably cost a 1st rounder in a trade otherwise, but now you get him for a mid-round pick and a guy who you may get a couple decent seasons out of if you're lucky. For the Devils, the cap hit is irrelevant.

2. Anaheim needs to get rid of a defender unless they want to lose one for nothing in the expansion draft. That drives the price down. You still have to give up something valuable and I'm not sure what it would cost. I'd be open to giving up something pretty big if he's a #1, which I don't watch the Ducks so I have no idea if he's capable of that role or not, but better him than Fowler.

Isn't callahan injured?
- blizzzard

Yeah it was just announced yesterday he had another hip surgery and is out for the year. Can you not trade for injured players?

1. The idea is to take on a bad contract. You're saying, "we'll do you a favor and make this go away, but you have to give us something great to make it worth our while. If the player is a shell of himself, that's not the point, in fact, you get more in return that way. Like, Point would probably cost a 1st rounder in a trade otherwise, but now you get him for a mid-round pick and a guy who you may get a couple decent seasons out of if you're lucky. For the Devils, the cap hit is irrelevant.

2. Anaheim needs to get rid of a defender unless they want to lose one for nothing in the expansion draft. That drives the price down. You still have to give up something valuable and I'm not sure what it would cost. I'd be open to giving up something pretty big if he's a #1, which I don't watch the Ducks so I have no idea if he's capable of that role or not, but better him than Fowler.
- CaptCrankypants

The cap hit is important. You don't want someone for 3 more years left on his deal. You still have to have a 23 man roster. Then why not just go trade for Clarkson, Brown or Moulson if it doesn't matter. Getting short term deals is important in building quicker then keeping a diminishing player and just putting him on the 4th line and keeping money open for bigger players/deals is important. Point would not fetch a 1st.

Vatanen is 3rd among Ducks dmen in ATOI, over 20 minutes. He has 53 games played, 2 goals, 18 points. Both goals are ppg, and 9 ppa. Not worth a top 10 pick. Also Vatanen is a RSD. The value just doesn't go down because they could lose one, there are teams that could give up more then us.

Yeah it was just announced yesterday he had another hip surgery and is out for the year. Can you not trade for injured players?
- CaptCrankypants

I think in the offseason with their permission.

Confirmed Zacha concussion

Confirmed Zacha concussion
- Senor_Elias

DOOMED