Todd Cordell: On a potential draft target at 17 and Keith Kinkaid

In some updated mock drafts I've seen lately, it seems like there's several defenseman in the 15-22 selection range projected to go off the board. If Shero decides he isn't locked in on any one defenseman at #17, do you think he trades down a few spots and see what happens?

Todd Cordell: On a potential draft target at 17 and Keith Kinkaid
- Todd.Cordell

Spot on re: KK, Todd. People forget the track records of those other goalies were much better.

I know last summer you dove into potential trade targets (and kept insisting on Vatanen!). Was that just because of the expansion draft fiasco? Or will you do it again? If the Devils can't land Carlson via UFA, do you think they'd approach Vancouver about Tanev? Fits a need, in his prime, and two years left--seems like Shero's type of trade. Would those teams match up at all?

Sandin is also near the top of my list, although I wonder if it's not a little high for him (just based on what I've read from other people).

As for the Kinkaid situation. Man, I hate seeing all the trade Kinkaid stuff on twitter. Just because I know he's active on there and you have all these fans saying we should trade him even though the Devils wouldn't have even made the playoffs without him. It's not the worst idea in the world, but I don't see it happening and I won't be upset if it doesn't.

I do think goaltending is an issue going forward, but I just don't see the fix right now unless you're doing something like a Kinkaid for Grubauer swap. That sounds like a very dumb idea for Washington, but Kinkaid is locked up for another year at a reasonable cost and is a capable backup. He certainly played well enough down the stretch to have caught some attention, and even in the playoffs he didn't play poorly. Grubauer is going be pricey to re-sign and chances are he's getting moved because Washington is still going to be right up against the cap. I don't know if they have another guy in the system ready for NHL time, maybe they do and will just move Grubauer for futures, but if they want someone with more experience that comes cheap, Kinkaid wouldn't be a bad option for them. To be clear, this would be a one-sided trade from a value perspective favoring the Devils, but when you're up against the cap, sometimes you end up taking a hit that way (see Johansson, Marcus).

Spot on re: KK, Todd. People forget the track records of those other goalies were much better.

I know last summer you dove into potential trade targets (and kept insisting on Vatanen!). Was that just because of the expansion draft fiasco? Or will you do it again? If the Devils can't land Carlson via UFA, do you think they'd approach Vancouver about Tanev? Fits a need, in his prime, and two years left--seems like Shero's type of trade. Would those teams match up at all?
- jersey1414

I hope they don't land Carlson, that'd be a contract they'd regret in short order. With Tanev I'd be worried about his injury history and if I'm trading for a guy, the preference should be the left side. Severson and Vatanen are both capable top-4 guys. The left side is the issue.

Would much rather have macissac over sandin, devils need a bigger defenseman, plus a better coach, different story for a different time, in my perfect world bode wilde falls to them at 17, but i don't see that happening.

Whoever they draft I hope it’s a Swede

Nailed it on Kinkaid, plus keeping him gives our prospects more time to be evaluated. As to the draft, I want to see what falls to us and then make a decision. Every year there seems to be a decent player who stock drops him into the teens (most recently Barzal Chychrun, Liljengren). I like Sandin, but I would really like a trade down get a second and take a risk on someone like Ryan Merkley.

Whoever they draft I hope it’s a Swede
- shvingter88

i doubt that will happen, plus with lou out in toronto, the swedish flag is flying at half staff.

i doubt that will happen, plus with lou out in toronto, the swedish flag is flying at half staff.
- devfan30

Like I said I hope it’s a Swede

I hope they don't land Carlson, that'd be a contract they'd regret in short order. With Tanev I'd be worried about his injury history and if I'm trading for a guy, the preference should be the left side. Severson and Vatanen are both capable top-4 guys. The left side is the issue.
- CaptCrankypants

Re: Tanev, it's the risk you take. Vatanen was coming off of surgery last year and that panned out. And while I agree that Severson could be a top-4 guy, you can't possibly tell me you think the organization sees him that way right now.

As far as the contract, I want him within reason. They have the money and I don't think we're talking about 8 mil a year here.

Would much rather have macissac over sandin, devils need a bigger defenseman, plus a better coach, different story for a different time, in my perfect world bode wilde falls to them at 17, but i don't see that happening.
- devfan30

Course you would.

Can't wait for buffalo to rush up on stage to take dahlin. Welcome to Adam Larsson 2.0!!!

Re: Tanev, it's the risk you take. Vatanen was coming off of surgery last year and that panned out. And while I agree that Severson could be a top-4 guy, you can't possibly tell me you think the organization sees him that way right now.

As far as the contract, I want him within reason. They have the money and I don't think we're talking about 8 mil a year here.
- jersey1414

He is a top-4 guy and has been since his rookie year. And Shero views him like a top-4 guy based on what he's paying him.

Tanev has only once played as many as 70 games in his career and is 28 going on 29. That's too old and too injury prone.

Can't wait for buffalo to rush up on stage to take dahlin. Welcome to Adam Larsson 2.0!!!
- devfan30

I now hope every player the Devils draft is Swedish.

fan of Sandin and trust your opinion but I'm a little hesitant bc SSM is so stacked this year

I think his production is ballooned a little bit by how good SSM is. Sandin is obviously a part of that, but I just don't think you can look at his production vs others and use it as a measure of how good he will be offensively at the NHL level. I do like him though and think it would be a good pick for the Devils at 17

He is a top-4 guy and has been since his rookie year. And Shero views him like a top-4 guy based on what he's paying him.

Tanev has only once played as many as 70 games in his career and is 28 going on 29. That's too old and too injury prone.
- CaptCrankypants

Pretty sure Severson saw the press box more than the ice the last month or so. Top-4 guys usually dress...just sayin.

Can't wait for buffalo to rush up on stage to take dahlin. Welcome to Adam Larsson 2.0!!!
- devfan30

I know we all have had fun about my so called dislike of swedish players, but now that he just finished his 7th NHL season, do you think we can admit that Adam Larsson was over hyped and had no business being the 4th pick in the draft? One thing we can all agree on is shero's european scouts are a whole lot better than lou's!!!

I know we all have had fun about my so called dislike of swedish players, but now that he just finished his 7th NHL season, do you think we can admit that Adam Larsson was over hyped and had no business being the 4th pick in the draft? One thing we can all agree on is shero's european scouts are a whole lot better than lou's!!!
- devfan30

Let's see Shero's staff find an Elias, Sykora, and Rafalski. Then I'll give him the edge.

Can't wait for buffalo to rush up on stage to take dahlin. Welcome to Adam Larsson 2.0!!!
- devfan30

Jesus

Pretty sure Severson saw the press box more than the ice the last month or so. Top-4 guys usually dress...just sayin.
- jersey1414

He's still objectively better then most of the other defenders on the team. At worst he's 3rd behind Butcher and Vatanen.

Todd Cordell: On a potential draft target at 17 and Keith Kinkaid
- Todd.Cordell

What about Jesperi Kotkaniemi?

What about Jesperi Kotkaniemi?
- shvingter88

Devils pick will be jet woo!!!