Todd Cordell: On Vatanen's future and Schneider's play at the Worlds

Vatanen + Quenneville + a 2nd or 3rd Rd pick for Trouba?

Trading Vats makes sense if we can get another defender under contract back. I'd like to keep him and think he's worth a bump up in pay but the market could get crazy.

As for Cory, I think we can all be optimistic about the goaltending tandem with Blackwood. Still, I'd be happy to see Shero draft another goalie this year. The pipeline is pretty empty.

I'd be happy to see Shero draft another goalie this year. The pipeline is pretty empty-Queenie_5_hole

But does it always have to be a second or third round pick

Trading Vats makes sense if we can get another defender under contract back. I'd like to keep him and think he's worth a bump up in pay but the market could get crazy.

As for Cory, I think we can all be optimistic about the goaltending tandem with Blackwood. Still, I'd be happy to see Shero draft another goalie this year. The pipeline is pretty empty.
- Queenie_5_hole

If you look at the roster, all of the d-men are under contract and both Smith and Davies pushing for spots. Something's gotta give. I could see a RHD being moved, but I'm so fearful it will be Severson. Despite the contract, either Hynes or Shero, or both, seem down on him.

Winnipeg's biggest need is more for a 2nd line center and to make some cap space. I was adamant that the Devils should try to get Trouba, but I think the only viable trade chip the Devils have is cap space.

The trade that makes sense for Winnipeg is Trouba for Kadri. Jets get cost certainty with Kadri at a great price and they're still contending. The Leafs get a right-handed defenseman for at least a year while they try to "go for it."

Preds are definitely going to have problems once they give Josi his next contract, which is most likely $10 mil ($9.5 would be the cheapest). I think getting Subban's contract for 3 years will actually be good for the Devils. Hopefully, a right-handed defenseman will be ready after Subban's contract and Ty Smith will be "the man."

The Devils will have to give up either Zacha, Boqvist, or Bratt and then either offer up Vatanen (way cheaper right-handed defenseman) or Butcher (defenseman under control). Devils will push the Preds to take Zacha but I think Boqvist is probably the player they want. Devils may have to take Turris (but the Preds will pay half).

Winnipeg's biggest need is more for a 2nd line center and to make some cap space. I was adamant that the Devils should try to get Trouba, but I think the only viable trade chip the Devils have is cap space.

The trade that makes sense for Winnipeg is Trouba for Kadri. Jets get cost certainty with Kadri at a great price and they're still contending. The Leafs get a right-handed defenseman for at least a year while they try to "go for it."

Preds are definitely going to have problems once they give Josi his next contract, which is most likely $10 mil ($9.5 would be the cheapest). I think getting Subban's contract for 3 years will actually be good for the Devils. Hopefully, a right-handed defenseman will be ready after Subban's contract and Ty Smith will be "the man."

The Devils will have to give up either Zacha, Boqvist, or Bratt and then either offer up Vatanen (way cheaper right-handed defenseman) or Butcher (defenseman under control). Devils will push the Preds to take Zacha but I think Boqvist is probably the player they want. Devils may have to take Turris (but the Preds will pay half).
- CardiffGiant

I don't think you were totally implying this, but there is no chance the Devils give up Boqvist, or Bratt, for Subban. His contract + play doesn't warrant that heavy of a prospect return IMO.

If the Devils were actually competing for a Stanley Cup and the missing piece was Subban, I would give up Boqvist in a heartbeat. But no worries, they're nowhere near Stanley Cup contention. The needle is moving in the right direction, but they're not even close.

But one of Zacha, McLeod, Boqvist, Bratt, or Wood needs to go for a veteran under 30. It's too many C/LW where we're waiting for them to hit their full potential.

Vatanen to Edmonton for some prospect or picks Or some other similar team). No way trade Vatanen and other assets for Trouba. Don't want to give up much to then take up $8+ of cap space. trouba is real good, just not that good.

Wonder if a trade nylander for Vatanen would interest the leafs. Obviously there would be more to the trade than 1 for 1.

could you guys see Trouba for Sverson, 2md rounder and McLeod?

Bryan Little has a no move for one more year but I could also imagine him and Zajac flipping teams.

could you guys see Trouba for Sverson, 2md rounder and McLeod?

Bryan Little has a no move for one more year but I could also imagine him and Zajac flipping teams teams?
- Ross77

IMO, to give up a controllable asset, a high pick, and a prospect I'd need to have an extension in place with Trouba.

IMO, to give up a controllable asset, a high pick, and a prospect I'd need to have an extension in place with Trouba.
- jersey1414

I get that

But does it always have to be a second or third round pick
- cu45161

I don't mind spending a quality pick on a quality prospect even in goal; but outside of Blackwood, IDK WTF Shero is doing.

Vatanen + Quenneville + a 2nd or 3rd Rd pick for Trouba?
- robvl22

I would be ok with that deal. But here is my Trouba rant:

I am 2 hours outside Winnipeg, and get every jets feed on TSN3. I honestly watch more Jets hockey than Devs. The Jets are one exciting team to watch, but Trouba could not be more overrated. Yes I would love him to be a Dev on a 6 year deal with a 6M AAV, but the guys is going for 8+M. After his first 5 seasons in the league, he his best season was just 33 points. Yes he just hit a very respectable 50 points this year, but did so as a -24 on a stacked team, put up 58 PIMs, and was less than decent in his own zone. He is a better version of Moore. Athletic, and never seems to tire, but his overall hockey IQ and defensive zone are areas I do not see him improving.

He certainly is a top 4 D, but be weary on how much cap you commit to this guy.

As for our goalies, we look to be in good shape. Schneids looks solid, and we can always do a two year bridge deal on Blackwood to keep the tandem until scheids is off the books.

Vatanen is not going to fetch that great a price as per he's a roster player at this point.

He's basically a couple of picks or a roster player, or you're moving him to accommodate salary in a trade.

edit: If I was Winnipeg, I'd ask for Ty Smith, Quenneville, and a 2nd for Trouba.

Todd Cordell: On Vatanen's future and Schneider's play at the Worlds
- Todd.Cordell

Wondering what the asking price is for Kessel. His 6.8M for the next 3 years is easily affordable for the Devs, not to mention our massive need for a RW. Pitts needs young cheap contracts. I mean could a deal like Kessel for Coleman, Bos 2nd, and Q fit their needs?

Hall Nico Palms
Mojo Hughes Kessel
Zacha Zajac Donskoi
Wood Mcleod Noesen

Its fun to dream, but we could really use a guy who hasn't missed a game in the past two seasons while notching 174 points!!!!

I don't get the fascination with Trouba. Vats > Trouba imo. We saw how bad our D was without Vatanen logging big minutes on both ends of the ice. Why not just keep him? More value in a trade than what his value is to our team?? idk. It's ok to have more than one seasoned dman on the team.

Wondering what the asking price is for Kessel. His 6.8M for the next 3 years is easily affordable for the Devs, not to mention our massive need for a RW. Pitts needs young cheap contracts. I mean could a deal like Kessel for Coleman, Bos 2nd, and Q fit their needs?

Hall Nico Palms
Mojo Hughes Kessel
Zacha Zajac Donskoi
Wood Mcleod Noesen

Its fun to dream, but we could really use a guy who hasn't missed a game in the past two seasons while notching 174 points!!!!
- bikeguy99

That seems like such a cheap price for him. I mean we dont really give anything up. I'd be more than okay with that trade.

could you guys see Trouba for Sverson, 2md rounder and McLeod?

Bryan Little has a no move for one more year but I could also imagine him and Zajac flipping teams.
- Ross77

I wouldn't include Severson in any trade for another defenseman. We need to add quality D not swap one for another

I don't get the fascination with Trouba. Vats > Trouba imo. We saw how bad our D was without Vatanen logging big minutes on both ends of the ice. Why not just keep him? More value in a trade than what his value is to our team?? idk. It's ok to have more than one seasoned dman on the team.
- MartysBetter88

Well... he had 50 points/8 goals last season, so there's that. He also plays with a bit of physicality, which means he brings a little attrition to the table, which this team desperately needs.

I wouldn't include Severson in any trade for another defenseman. We need to add quality D not swap one for another
- Crushers68

Especially since Severson has such a team friendly contract. Maybe it's just me but I really like Severson. I think he is a good top 4 dman and the 4.1M he is making is really good.

Especially since Severson has such a team friendly contract. Maybe it's just me but I really like Severson. I think he is a good top 4 dman and the 4.1M he is making is really good.
- Devils4ever

This is the one reason I'm reluctant on trading Severson. Even if he's so-so defensively at best, an 11 goal defenseman and still a rising stock for 4M/y is a bargain.

Well... he had 50 points/8 goals last season, so there's that. He also plays with a bit of physicality, which means he brings a little attrition to the table, which this team desperately needs.
- archromat

but can he defend? gap control? etc etc? foot speed?

Especially since Severson has such a team friendly contract. Maybe it's just me but I really like Severson. I think he is a good top 4 dman and the 4.1M he is making is really good.
- Devils4ever

These are the two teams I have watched most, and can honestly say that Severson appears to be the better player. Maybe we could get a discount if we offered a cap absorbing option, such as Vats + Zajac both at 50% salary retention for Trouba and Kulikov. Jets would shed 11-12M and take on just 5.3M. I am sure we would have to add a pick or prospect but the Jets are desperate for some cap relief, and Zajac is a winnipeg boy......