It's almost always the case that you're going to spend extra cash and deal with a guy getting a bit old as a UFA signing. It's the tradeoff for not giving up assets. At some point the Devils will need to get some high level talent in here to turn around the D. If I'm picking between Carlson and Calvin de Hann, I'll take my chances with Carlson.

Also, it's not like you have to keep these guys forever. Rangers moved Rick Nash with an ugly contract. Roberto Luongo got moved with his big contract. These things get dealt with....
- Queenie_5_hole

Yeah, exactly. You have to overpay to extract top-end talent and that's ok, as long as it's an exception and not the rule you live by EVERY summer.

In terms of Niskanen, they aren't paying attention. Since day 1, I've said he was a better defender than Carlson. His contract is kind of a steal. He's been the shutdown leader against CBJ, PIT, and TBL top lines all playoffs.

Orpik's contract in many ways did prevent the Caps from making any meaningful moves this season. He has performed pretty decently on the bottom pair though. He had a really rough game 1 though.
- Blackstrom2

I wouldn't argue for a minute that he's overpaid, but it's not nearly as bad as most thought when he signed there. And he's only got 1 year left. That turned out to be pretty good.

Free agency for "top" players is usually a bad idea. Eriksson, Lucic, Ladd, Okposo, Shattenkirk, have all hurt their respective teams. Though as an Isles fan I hope the Devils sign him for 8.5x7
- bgainesDM

There's a certain "top" player from the Islanders I wouldn't mind seeing the Devils overpay for.

Agreed. NJD should trade for a top D man like Danny DeKeyser.
- Feds91Stammer

Keep him, we will send over Lovejoy to help.

There's a certain "top" player from the Islanders I wouldn't mind seeing the Devils overpay for.
- smellmyfinger

but wouldn't you rather trade for Toews?

but wouldn't you rather trade for Toews?
- Pomegrant

I forgot we were already investing 10.5 million in a center this offseason.

It's almost always the case that you're going to spend extra cash and deal with a guy getting a bit old as a UFA signing. It's the tradeoff for not giving up assets. At some point the Devils will need to get some high level talent in here to turn around the D. If I'm picking between Carlson and Calvin de Hann, I'll take my chances with Carlson.

Also, it's not like you have to keep these guys forever. Rangers moved Rick Nash with an ugly contract. Roberto Luongo got moved with his big contract. These things get dealt with....
- Queenie_5_hole

This is the problem. When do you spend some of your available cap for free agents, or when do you continue the rebuild through the draft. While I love the fact that the Devs have been rebuilding, if we are honest with ourselves nothing in the minors looks like our savior. And picking 17,even if we get lucky, that help is 3-4 years down the road. NHL players someday in the system I hope, but don't see any potential all-stars. None. So then you have to think about free agency. That is typically a minefield, as much so as the draft. However, this year's class is different at the top. Taveras and Carlson are damn good players. Even in the later years of their contracts I think they would be playing better than some of our current players, and the cap will continue to grow, especially if Seattle gets in. I doubt Taveras leaves Long Island, and if he does I doubt he picks NJ as his destination. That leaves Carlson. Yes he is right handed. But that only means Lovejoy becomes #7D, not a bad option. There is also the trade market, but then you are probably trading assets to get a similar priced player anyway. But Shero is smarter than me, so I will let him decide...

This is the problem. When do you spend some of your available cap for free agents, or when do you continue the rebuild through the draft. While I love the fact that the Devs have been rebuilding, if we are honest with ourselves nothing in the minors looks like our savior. And picking 17,even if we get lucky, that help is 3-4 years down the road. NHL players someday in the system I hope, but don't see any potential all-stars. None. So then you have to think about free agency. That is typically a minefield, as much so as the draft. However, this year's class is different at the top. Taveras and Carlson are damn good players. Even in the later years of their contracts I think they would be playing better than some of our current players, and the cap will continue to grow, especially if Seattle gets in. I doubt Taveras leaves Long Island, and if he does I doubt he picks NJ as his destination. That leaves Carlson. Yes he is right handed. But that only means Lovejoy becomes #7D, not a bad option. There is also the trade market, but then you are probably trading assets to get a similar priced player anyway. But Shero is smarter than me, so I will let him decide...
- redmonsters

Agreed and I have faith in Shero to make good decisions. At the same time we clearly got lucky winning the pick for Nico (Thanks Hall!) and having Will Butcher pick us. Because without those two gifts from the hockey gods it would have been another bleak season.

Maybe a little strategy here...

Would it make sense to forget JT and instead make a trade with a team that needs space for JT, take a bad contract BUT with that teams top prospect?

So getting a useful player and top prospect?

Agreed and I have faith in Shero to make good decisions. At the same time we clearly got lucky winning the pick for Nico (Thanks Hall!) and having Will Butcher pick us. Because without those two gifts from the hockey gods it would have been another bleak season.
- Queenie_5_hole

Indeed. Also our other lottery win turned into to Hall. If we didn't win those lotteries I believe this team would still be a train wreck. Shero is doing a great job but even he has only so much to work with.

Maybe a little strategy here...

Would it make sense to forget JT and instead make a trade with a team that needs space for JT, take a bad contract BUT with that teams top prospect?

So getting a useful player and top prospect?
- Leniwm1

Taking on bad contracts to get picks for cash strapped teams is certainly something this squad should try to do, however the cap increasing to much this offseason doesn't allow for that to happen.

Anyone think we have a chance of prying Dougie Hamilton from Flames? I have seen that Calgary would consider trading him to clear up space...maybe Severson and Quenneville starts the talks?...thoughts?

Anyone think we have a chance of prying Dougie Hamilton from Flames? I have seen that Calgary would consider trading him to clear up space...maybe Severson and Quenneville starts the talks?...thoughts?
- RussH1964

YES!

Anyone think we have a chance of prying Dougie Hamilton from Flames? I have seen that Calgary would consider trading him to clear up space...maybe Severson and Quenneville starts the talks?...thoughts?
- RussH1964

Hamilton is not available. Stupid rumour. And Severson and Quennville I doubt turns them on.

for some reason everybody thinks Severson sucks but he's part of package deals to get good players as if he is an attractive target.

for some reason everybody thinks Severson sucks but he's part of package deals to get good players as if he is an attractive target.
- Pomegrant

I’m also noticing a trend of us trading for good players without parting with picks or roster players.

Orpik signing probably cost the team Schmitt and forced the Johansson trade so I don't think his contract has been a boon for the Caps.
- Pomegrant

Had nothing to do with Schmidt, but certainly the main factor in losing Mojo for nothing.

Had nothing to do with Schmidt, but certainly the main factor in losing Mojo for nothing.
- Blackstrom2

NMC making you unable to protect enough players. I don't know the entire rundown to be honest though.

NMC making you unable to protect enough players. I don't know the entire rundown to be honest though.
- Pomegrant

orpik doesn't have a NMC/NTC and wasn't protected.

Shero should trade Severson + Prospect + 4th Rd pick to Calgary for Dougie Hamilton

I think Carlson would be a fairly big upgrade over Severson so for that reason I'd be interested. Shouldn't go stupid but we aren't in a cap crunch and will have Greene and Zajac coming off the books in a couple years.
- rmdevil313

do we always agree, or has it just been awhile? this this this, then trade Severson. presto.

Anyone think we have a chance of prying Dougie Hamilton from Flames? I have seen that Calgary would consider trading him to clear up space...maybe Severson and Quenneville starts the talks?...thoughts?
- RussH1964

What a day that would be if we could pull that off. It would be a little ironic considering some thought Hamilton was the better pick over Larsson in that draft, and we've since seen them mature into very different but effective players.

if we fire severson into the sun, god will send us a better player back.

if we fire severson into the sun, god will send us a better player back.
- Pomegrant

Seems cruel, but sacrifices must be made for the good of the team.

Also the sun seems like a lot of work. Perhaps the volcano in Hawaii would work just as well. We should check by dropping in Grabner....

if we fire severson into the sun, god will send us a better player back.
- Pomegrant

No worries, we are going to trade Q, Speers and a 5th round pick to someone for a top 4 defenseman.