Wonder if that trade will make other teams be more active
- dmarsden2988

You'd figure there would be some kind of domino effect, but it was the Isles lol, so maybe not. They probably still miss the playoffs lol. If it was the Canes or Bruins or another top team i could've seen that starting the arms race.

luckily Islanders trade for Horvat so we didn't have to get him by mistake.
- Pomegrant

Driving up Meier’s price

Julie Robenhymer on the Bratt contract talks this past summer. Tweet one: "To clarify, Bratt’s agent was unwilling to negotiate. It was either a long term deal at the high price he wanted (more than Hughes) or a one year deal at a more reasonable number. Fitz wasn’t prepared to sign him to a big contact without a longer track record of production.

Tweet 2: "I’m not speculating. He asked for more than Jack. Fitzgerald said no and offered slightly less than Jack’s deal and he said no and ended negotiations. There was no discussion. It was a long term hefty contract or a one-year deal to prove himself and show he was worth the $$$$."

Wonder how much Fitz will put up with his agent come this summer, if at all. It was mentioned in the LeBrun article that Fitz still wants Bratt inbetween Nico and Jack, so still seems like they're far apart if his agent still wants him being the highest paid player on the team.
- vlongo4419

Pay Bratt what he’s worth. Doesn’t matter to me if Bratt makes more $$$$ than Jack. He’s 3 years older and he deserves his money. Jack can do a better job negotiating a higher AAV on his next contract. Just feels like Fitzy is putting an arbitrary stake in the ground that will likely mean Bratt is donning a different sweater next year. No point in rebuilding if you don’t pay your best players to stay

luckily Islanders trade for Horvat so we didn't have to get him by mistake.
- Pomegrant

Ditto. I never thought we’d make that move but nice to know it’s off the table.

A Sharks writer wrote an article today saying that NHL execs expect the Timo Meier return to be very similar to what Horvat just got. Which is a 1st round pick, a Grade-B prospect, and a good-ish, young-ish NHL player.

So that falls in line with the multiple reports over the past few weeks that Meier could likely return *less* than what the Blackhawks got for Debrincat.

A Sharks writer wrote an article today saying that NHL execs expect the Timo Meier return to be very similar to what Horvat just got. Which is a 1st round pick, a Grade-B prospect, and a good-ish, young-ish NHL player.

So that falls in line with the multiple reports over the past few weeks that Meier could likely return *less* than what the Blackhawks got for Debrincat.
- vlongo4419

Meier for Walsh bahl a 1st +

A Sharks writer wrote an article today saying that NHL execs expect the Timo Meier return to be very similar to what Horvat just got. Which is a 1st round pick, a Grade-B prospect, and a good-ish, young-ish NHL player.

So that falls in line with the multiple reports over the past few weeks that Meier could likely return *less* than what the Blackhawks got for Debrincat.
- vlongo4419

That’s easy. Grade B.. maybe that gives Holtz a pass? Wouldn’t that be something. Baal, Walsh, Clarke, Foote, Casey, Russian.
Good-ish young-ish.. I’d want Mercer if I was SJ.. hopefully we can get by with giving Sharangovich or one of the BMW line.

That’s easy. Grade B.. maybe that gives Holtz a pass? Wouldn’t that be something. Baal, Walsh, Clarke, Foote, Casey, Russian.
Good-ish young-ish.. I’d want Mercer if I was SJ.. hopefully we can get by with giving Sharangovich or one of the BMW line.
- MartysBetter88

Mercer stays put, he's gonna be our new Parise. I'd rather move Holtz.

I think Holtz, Casey and 2nd would suffice. Or swap Holtz for someone else and change to a first rounder.

Hamilton, Hughes, Nemec, Siegs Marino is an amazing group. Giving up potential in Shakir or Casey is fine with me.

Friedman and Marek again pumping the NJ/Timo Meier possibility again. When talking about where Meier would end up, and what teams would be agressive now that Horvat is off the table. Friedman says "Well you know me, I've been thinking NJ for Meier. I dont necessarily mean that they're gonna get him. But I do think they're a team that A)can do it, and B)would like to do it." Didn't mention any other teams, and went on to talking about other players for other teams.

Meier was seen on vacation with Nico, siegenthaler, and haula in Mexico

He's a devil

Meier was seen on vacation with Nico, siegenthaler, and haula in Mexico

He's a devil
- dmarsden2988

Make it so Fitz~!

Meier was seen on vacation with Nico, siegenthaler, and haula in Mexico

He's a devil
- dmarsden2988

Hope they just swap Haula and Meier return flight tickets.

Hope they just swap Haula and Meier return flight tickets.
- RubberBiscuitz

That would be awesome

Friedman in his newest 32 Thoughts article:

"11. I wouldn’t say New Jersey is the team to beat on Timo Meier, but it’s clear teams know the Devils are very much in it. The biggest balancing act for them might be their salary structure. It sounds like they prefer to have no forwards above Jack Hughes’ $8M AAV — or at least not blowing that out of the water. That’s not only a consideration for Meier, but also Jesper Bratt. "

Meier was seen on vacation with Nico, siegenthaler, and haula in Mexico

He's a devil
- dmarsden2988

He’s a ranger

Friedman in his newest 32 Thoughts article:

"11. I wouldn’t say New Jersey is the team to beat on Timo Meier, but it’s clear teams know the Devils are very much in it. The biggest balancing act for them might be their salary structure. It sounds like they prefer to have no forwards above Jack Hughes’ $8M AAV — or at least not blowing that out of the water. That’s not only a consideration for Meier, but also Jesper Bratt. "
- vlongo4419

Just pay them both $8x8

Just pay them both $8x8
- RubberBiscuitz

8.5 if we have to. Would it kill us to give them both 9? If we're talking about having 2 top line wingers vs none.. over a matter of a million each.. write the damn check. Pretty sure Hughes would rather see Meier and Bratt on the ice at 9mil each than see neither of them.

Friedman in his newest 32 Thoughts article:

"11. I wouldn’t say New Jersey is the team to beat on Timo Meier, but it’s clear teams know the Devils are very much in it. The biggest balancing act for them might be their salary structure. It sounds like they prefer to have no forwards above Jack Hughes’ $8M AAV — or at least not blowing that out of the water. That’s not only a consideration for Meier, but also Jesper Bratt. "
- vlongo4419

It's fantastic that we got Hughes for that, but every year players sign for more and more so I can't see meier who is close to FA agreeing to 8 but if they go 8.5 or something that could work

Also depends what we have to move

Wonder of bratt and his agent think he's worth more than hughes

Wonder of bratt and his agent think he's worth more than hughes
- dmarsden2988

I dont even think it’s this necessarily. It’s really about them wanting fair value. Which is his right. He could blow out a knee, never be the same player and see his earning potential plummet. The fact they got Hughes at a deal (and as he continues to shut the doubters up be will prove to be an absolute deal) works for and against them. So, in this instance, i think it’s shortsighted to think of them as unreasonable or villains. We could also expect Hughes to ask for more in a couple years, would he be a villain then too?

Ideally NJ keeps Bratt

8.5 if we have to. Would it kill us to give them both 9? If we're talking about having 2 top line wingers vs none.. over a matter of a million each.. write the damn check. Pretty sure Hughes would rather see Meier and Bratt on the ice at 9mil each than see neither of them.
- MartysBetter88

Agreed. Just make the trade and pay them. The thing that doesn't make sense to me in what Friedman is saying, is that it's been confirmed that Fitz offered Gaudreau 9-10M, closer to the 10M side just this past summer. I know UFA/RFA is different, but still.

Losing Bratt over just a 500k-1M difference would definitely be a setback for this team, and one that would be hard to recover from. There's not many elite playdriving wingers in the league, and Bratt is arguably the best one.

I think in general this scenario speaks to our confidence (as well as good fortune) in betting on Nico and Jack without using bridge deals. Had either of them taken a 2 year bridge, Nico would be worth above 8M and Jack would be 10M+ at this point.

Jack signed his extension in Nov 2021. If he took a two year bridge, we'd be watching in delight (and horror from a cap perspective) knowing he's going to get like 11M on his long-term extension.

I understand the idea of capping your team's highest AAV to a certain player's contract, but it's a tough sell when you happen to have hit on 2 deals straight out of rookie deals. You're asking guys heading into their 3rd contracts to take pay cuts and it's not exactly like Jack and Nico are Tom Brady sitting on 7 rings and can tell people to sacrifice themselves for no sure thing.

Agreed. Just make the trade and pay them. The thing that doesn't make sense to me in what Friedman is saying, is that it's been confirmed that Fitz offered Gaudreau 9-10M, closer to the 10M side just this past summer. I know UFA/RFA is different, but still.

Losing Bratt over just a 500k-1M difference would definitely be a setback for this team, and one that would be hard to recover from. There's not many elite playdriving wingers in the league, and Bratt is arguably the best one.
- vlongo4419

But at the same time you have to think, should a winger make more than a center who is arguably the best player on the team and has the chance to be the best forward all time for the devil's so far?

But at the same time you have to think, should a winger make more than a center who is arguably the best player on the team and has the chance to be the best forward all time for the devil's so far?
- dmarsden2988

When that center is underpaid? Yes. It shouldn't matter what Jack is making, especially considering the context at which Jack signed the contract. Jack had 55 points in 119 games at the time and coming off multiple injuries, the team was betting on the breakout happening. Bratt has already broken out, with 253 points in 356 games and 100 points in his last 100 games.

Look at the comparables for Bratt in terms of just production that were signed in the last year alone. Fiala 7.875M, Thomas 8.1M, Kyrou 8.1M, Norris 7.95M, Hintz 8.45M, Laine 8.7M, Barzal 9.1M, Robertson 7.75M. Bratt is absolutely in this range and you could argue should make more than most of the players in that list.

But at the same time you have to think, should a winger make more than a center who is arguably the best player on the team and has the chance to be the best forward all time for the devil's so far?
- dmarsden2988

Trade him for meier straight up

When that center is underpaid? Yes. It shouldn't matter what Jack is making, especially considering the context at which Jack signed the contract. Jack had 55 points in 119 games at the time and coming off multiple injuries, the team was betting on the breakout happening. Bratt has already broken out, with 253 points in 356 games and 100 points in his last 100 games.

Look at the comparables for Bratt in terms of just production that were signed in the last year alone. Fiala 7.875M, Thomas 8.1M, Kyrou 8.1M, Norris 7.95M, Hintz 8.45M, Laine 8.7M, Barzal 9.1M, Robertson 7.75M. Bratt is absolutely in this range and you could argue should make more than most of the players in that list.
- vlongo4419

Obviously we don't know anything, who knows what real conversations are happening. But I do support Fitz and him have a line to not cross, if all this is true.

If you want to be a part of an exciting, young team and play with Jack, then you'll need to leave some $ on the table. This strategy will attract players that WANT to be a Devil.

Also, having a good cap responsibility will allow the flexibility for trades or UFAs when they pop up.

I think the last thing we want is to be a top heavy Maple leaf team with no depth and cant win when it matters.

If Bratt wants to leave the team over 1-2 million, so be it. Jack didn't and he is wearing the A. Nico didn't and he's wearing the C. And both are flourishing.

Timo and Bratt aren't the only good players around. There will always be great players that are lingering around because teams are already cash strapped. We have the assets to pull the trigger whenever Fitz is ready.

I just saw Larkin in trade rumors. He would also be a fantastic fit with his speed.

I trust Fitz 110%.