Other then Skinner and Panarin there really aren't any slam dunk star wingers. Guys like Eberle and Nyquist are consolation prizes for franchises like New Jersey who can't attract the big names. Sad but true.

I'd bet though that Shero will improve the top 6 via trade. That's my bet with all the picks he can dangle this year. Plus it's a good year with all the top teams taken out in the first round. You know a few are going to want to make drastic moves that can work to our benefit.
- devilspep

Nyquist is more than consolation. I've wanted him for years

Is brunner still around?

+Anderson and Speers and you add a 3rd.
- Leniwm1

Honestly, more than that, and even then, I'd be very hesitant about saying yes.

He played 78 games & hit 37 points in a "contract" year where players usually over perform. He finally decided to play a little inspired in the first series. How many points did he get against Carolina? I have some real staunch Oiler buddies in my hockey pools & they were celebrating when Oilers traded him. You give that kid more than 5.0 mill per on probably a 5 or 6 year deal deal & watch him coast next year.

You also mention his almost 60 points in 2017-18 but the two years before were 47 & 51. I honestly dont see how you can say this guy at 29 is going to start hitting a point plateau he hasnt hit since the 2014-15 season. As a Flames fan I hope the Oilers resign him for a 5 year $30 mill deal & have to trade Nurse to fit him in. He may hit 60 points if you leave him on the McDavid line all year. But I think you guys already tried that didnt you?
- Kevin R

You could very well be right. He could coast his way through his new contract. But something tells me based on his efforts and attitude during these playoffs, he wants to win. And he got 3 points in 4 games in the series against Carolina. Not too shabby.

Also, I mentioned earlier that the big issue comes down to the price point. If Shero can work out a reasonable deal considering F/A standards, he should consider it.

If not and Ebs demands are too high (7m + range), then that's another story.

Is brunner still around?
- shvingter88

If we get him and Ruutu watch out!

So far we have 2 sweeps, half done in 5 games, and one 7-game series in the 1st round, with the higher seeded teams pooping on those that couldn't sign all the mega-talents. We'll see if we can manage a game 7 in the remaining 3 semi-final matchups. Top seed whoops the challenger in 5 in one of the 4 series.
Meeeeanwhile in the NHL, THREE of the first 8 series went 7 epic games, one decide in double OT. TWO of the 4 semi-final matchups went 7, one decided in double OT. There have been 3 total sweeps, and ONE 5 game series..compared to 4, ALL won by the underdog team. The remaining 8 series all went 6 or 7 games. Absolute wars.

.. heck we may have another overtime game 7 tonight!

So you're just gonna ignore his very recent contributions to this year's playoffs for NYI?
- EdmHockeyMan

I'm including it. It was 1 series. Congrats. We need to GET to the playoffs first. Him getting 45pts isn't going to help NJ get to the playoffs when they have a bunch of guys that will likely hit 45pts, and do it for a fraction of the cost of Eberle. The money spent on Eberle could be better spent elsewhere (IF we sign him, I'd of course LOVE to be wrong, obviously).

First series against the lost Penguins - 4gp, 4g, 2a, 15sog. Great 4 games! best 4 games of the whole season. Glad he came to play.
Next 4 games against.. the Hurricanes? 1g, 2a, 8sog, 5hits. Where'd he go? Carolina is really that good? Pittsburgh really that bad? Pass on Eberle. 4 playoff games out of what could/should be 16+ doesn't mean much to me.

He's averaging less than 50points/season in the last 4 seasons. He's past his prime. Why do you want him??

.. all because of a bad call. I wanted to root for Joe and SJ, but they shouldn't have been playing Colorado, and they shouldn't be playing the Blues. I don't want to root against Joe..

.. all because of a bad call. I wanted to root for Joe and SJ, but they shouldn't have been playing Colorado, and they shouldn't be playing the Blues. I don't want to root against Joe..
- MartysBetter88

F**k Joe, Go blues!

Is brunner still around?
- shvingter88

Brunner just turned 33. He's playing for Biel HC in the Swiss-A league. Put up 18 goals and 19 assists in 50 games.... Put up 5 goals and 4 assist in 12 playoff games. Pretty solid numbers and a good year for him.

F**k Joe, Go blues!
- FAZOOL

I sort of feel that way, but I'd rather see either west coast team win the cup over Carolina or Boston. Just since neither of them ever have. Also, despite the horrific playoff losses we've had to Carolina I'm hoping they get past Boston.

I sort of feel that way, but I'd rather see either west coast team win the cup over Carolina or Boston. Just since neither of them ever have. Also, despite the horrific playoff losses we've had to Carolina I'm hoping they get past Boston.
- Queenie_5_hole

I think rooting for a would be first time winner is the way to go.

.. all because of a bad call. I wanted to root for Joe and SJ, but they shouldn't have been playing Colorado, and they shouldn't be playing the Blues. I don't want to root against Joe..
- MartysBetter88

Anyone but the bruins or old Whalers. That series is my worst nightmare.

1. People are saying Hall is not worth more than $9 million a year. He's definitely worth over $9 mil and he's at least worth $10.5 mil. If $11 mil is what it takes to have Hall stay, pay it. He drives play and is the team's prime offense. He's also a Hart winner with the Devils. He knows he's the best player and that he knows the Devils need him more than he needs them. Anything more than $11 mil and yeah, trade him before the season starts.

2. I don't get the demands to trade Severson. Does he have defensive goofs like pinching in at the wrong time to keep a puck in the offensive zone? Yeah, but it happens. He's improved each year and management made the right choice of trading Larsson than Severson (not that Edmonton was asking for Severson). At Severson's age and contract, he should not be traded unless it's a true #1 defenseman.

3. If Zacha's ceiling is 3rd line center, the Devils need to trade either him, McLeod, or Boqvist. Let's face it, the top 2 spots are set with Hischier and Hughes. The Devils are drafting Hughes. The Devils need help on D and RW.

4. If the Devils were to trade a defenseman (who's actually desirable amongst our D core), I would go with Vatanen (especially if he isn't going to sign an extension). The Devils can sign Stralman or Myers as a temporary stop-gap. Obviously, the best stop-gap is Erik Karlsson, but I doubt he'll sign in NJ.

5. If the Devils make a trade I'd like them to make a play for Saad, Trouba, Subban, and Kessel. I don't know what it would take to get one of those players (or by some miracle 1 forward and 1 defenseman from the said names). Feel free to speculate.

1. People are saying Hall is not worth more than $9 million a year. He's definitely worth over $9 mil and he's at least worth $10.5 mil. If $11 mil is what it takes to have Hall stay, pay it. He drives play and is the team's prime offense. He's also a Hart winner with the Devils. He knows he's the best player and that he knows the Devils need him more than he needs them. Anything more than $11 mil and yeah, trade him before the season starts.

2. I don't get the demands to trade Severson. Does he have defensive goofs like pinching in at the wrong time to keep a puck in the offensive zone? Yeah, but it happens. He's improved each year and management made the right choice of trading Larsson than Severson (not that Edmonton was asking for Severson). At Severson's age and contract, he should not be traded unless it's a true #1 defenseman.

3. If Zacha's ceiling is 3rd line center, the Devils need to trade either him, McLeod, or Boqvist. Let's face it, the top 2 spots are set with Hischier and Hughes. The Devils are drafting Hughes. The Devils need help on D and RW.

4. If the Devils were to trade a defenseman (who's actually desirable amongst our D core), I would go with Vatanen (especially if he isn't going to sign an extension). The Devils can sign Stralman or Myers as a temporary stop-gap. Obviously, the best stop-gap is Erik Karlsson, but I doubt he'll sign in NJ.

5. If the Devils make a trade I'd like them to make a play for Saad, Trouba, Subban, and Kessel. I don't know what it would take to get one of those players (or by some miracle 1 forward and 1 defenseman from the said names). Feel free to speculate.
- CardiffGiant

I disagree with a lot of this man. Zacha may never be more than a 3rd liner, but to say that's his ceiling is silly.

You don't trade Boqvist. He's the best forward prospect we have at this point. Even McLeod, although disappointing, should not be thrown out after, what, 10 games?

While I agree Vatanen could be used as a chip, but I don't see why. We need quality defense as bad as anything and getting Myers would be a direct regression.

We don't need Trouba or Subban for what they'd cost.

I do agree with the first two takes though.

I disagree with a lot of this man. Zacha may never be more than a 3rd liner, but to say that's his ceiling is silly.

You don't trade Boqvist. He's the best forward prospect we have at this point. Even McLeod, although disappointing, should not be thrown out after, what, 10 games?

While I agree Vatanen could be used as a chip, but I don't see why. We need quality defense as bad as anything and getting Myers would be a direct regression.

We don't need Trouba or Subban for what they'd cost.

I do agree with the first two takes though.
- willschulme

I agree.. I dont think we have a Dman that plays his heart out like Vats does. You don't throw that away. Trouba is too concerned with his $$, just look back at his contract negotiations from past. And subban has prob a couple good yrs left.

Our team is def. getting better and is on right track. No need to trade our kiddos for immediate (short lived) help.

I agree.. I dont think we have a Dman that plays his heart out like Vats does. You don't throw that away. Trouba is too concerned with his $$, just look back at his contract negotiations from past. And subban has prob a couple good yrs left.

Our team is def. getting better and is on right track. No need to trade our kiddos for immediate (short lived) help.
- Leniwm1

yea I don't get the infatuation with Trouba, or Subban for that matter, and trading Severson. I like Vats. I like Severson. It would be fun to trade for Hughes, but Vancouver will want a ton for that 7th overall pick, and probably a little extra since we'll have his brother, and I'm not sure it's worth the assets. We already have a stud undersized puck-moving dman in Ty Smith. meh.

yea I don't get the infatuation with Trouba, or Subban for that matter, and trading Severson. I like Vats. I like Severson. It would be fun to trade for Hughes, but Vancouver will want a ton for that 7th overall pick, and probably a little extra since we'll have his brother, and I'm not sure it's worth the assets. We already have a stud undersized puck-moving dman in Ty Smith. meh.
- MartysBetter88

Well, maybe Butcher a 2nd and mid level prospect for hughes? It would be crazy fun to watch because both are silky smooth with the puck.

Well, maybe Butcher a 2nd and mid level prospect for hughes? It would be crazy fun to watch because both are silky smooth with the puck.
- Leniwm1

You're probably looking at Butcher, a 1st and maybe another sweetener like a 2nd/3rd or a prospect. I know I'd want to get a 1st round pick back.

You're probably looking at Butcher, a 1st and maybe another sweetener like a 2nd/3rd or a prospect. I know I'd want to get a 1st round pick back.
- Queenie_5_hole

I dont know how good brother hughes is/could be... is he worth what you think is needed?

I dont know how good brother hughes is/could be... is he worth what you think is needed?
- Leniwm1

Yeah he's really damn good. World of skill, I think he fell a little because of his size(imagine that) and because other teams went forward.

Craig Button's prospect rankings have Caufield at 5, Cozens down to 6 and Podkolzin and Krebs out of the top 8. Interesting stuff.

Craig Button's prospect rankings have Caufield at 5, Cozens down to 6 and Podkolzin and Krebs out of the top 8. Interesting stuff.
- willschulme

Do you have a link ? I trust you, I jsut wanna look up other names.

Thanks!

Craig Button's prospect rankings have Caufield at 5, Cozens down to 6 and Podkolzin and Krebs out of the top 8. Interesting stuff.
- willschulme

Podkolzin did play better when everything was on the line.

For the other guy asking: https://www.tsn.ca/podkol...-mock-draft-3-0-1.1296254

Edit: I also can't see the Avs taking Dach with all the other juicies there. Dach is like an "average pick" at 4, if that. He doesn't have the ceiling many of the rest of the top 15 does.

Just compare his stats with Raphael Lavoie, who he picked to go 15. They're the same size, but Lavoie is absolutely CRUSHING the Q playoffs where Dach couldn't even muster a point a game in his playoffs... Lavoie has more GOALS per game than Dach had points.

Using some of those extra 2nds might be worth it to trade back into the 1st and grab Podkolzin if he keeps falling.