Todd Cordell: On the New Jersey Devils' potential interest in Nikita Zaitsev

I guess the question is, are his pros live-able with his cons? Or is it just not worth it?

I guess the question is, are his pros live-able with his cons? Or is it just not worth it?
- Leniwm1

I don't think he is worth it. I know the Devils have lots of money to spend, but he's not someone I'd want to use it on. Especially for five years.

Todd Cordell: On the New Jersey Devils' potential interest in Nikita Zaitsev
- Todd.Cordell

The Devils should make this move.

I don't think he is worth it. I know the Devils have lots of money to spend, but he's not someone I'd want to use it on. Especially for five years.
- Todd.Cordell

He's absolutely worth it, and the Devils should be willing to...hell, they should look forward to giving up good assets to get this done.

Zaitsev is the answer to problems you didn't even know you had.

Let's get this deal done.

Hard pass. I'd only be interested with a sweetener attached to it, but even then i'd be hesitant, and it seems like there are teams willing to take him without a sweetener anyway

He's absolutely worth it, and the Devils should be willing to...hell, they should look forward to giving up good assets to get this done.

Zaitsev is the answer to problems you didn't even know you had.

Let's get this deal done.
- Atomic Wedgie

No.

Why would any team want to take on this contract for 5 more years for a 5/6 d-man with horrible offensive skills?

He's absolutely worth it, and the Devils should be willing to...hell, they should look forward to giving up good assets to get this done.

Zaitsev is the answer to problems you didn't even know you had.

Let's get this deal done.
- Atomic Wedgie

Glad to take Zaitsev and his cap hit if the Laffs include Kapanen

Hard pass.
- vlongo4419

I'd only be interested with a sweetener attached to it,

but even then i'd be hesitant, and it seems like there are teams willing to take him without a sweetener anyway

See above

Zaitsev would clutter this already cluttered D right now.

Unless NJ shipped out a couple of guys back there, it wouldn't make sense. He's not the 1-2 guy they're looking for. Maybe Ray trades for him early July if he doesn't land anyone else (and if Zaitsev is still available)... otherwise, I don't see this happening.

Zaitsev would clutter this already cluttered D right now.

Unless NJ shipped out a couple of guys back there, it wouldn't make sense. He's not the 1-2 guy they're looking for. Maybe Ray trades for him early July if he doesn't land anyone else (and if Zaitsev is still available)... otherwise, I don't see this happening.
- archromat

We're gonna get broberg and kokkonen, with Ty no need for Zaits

Hard pass. I'd only be interested with a sweetener attached to it, but even then i'd be hesitant, and it seems like there are teams willing to take him without a sweetener anyway
- vlongo4419

Sadly, he can't really make those.

If the Leafs take Santini back then we are basically moving a fringe NHLer for a legit NHLer and taking the salary that comes with it. So then it's not terrible and insurance if Vats bolts on us. Conversely it could give you a tradable asset (either him or someone else) at the deadline.

I wouldn't give up anything of value to get this guy but not apposed to a cheap acquisition.

If the Leafs take Santini back then we are basically moving a fringe NHLer for a legit NHLer and taking the salary that comes with it. So then it's not terrible and insurance if Vats bolts on us. Conversely it could give you a tradable asset (either him or someone else) at the deadline.

I wouldn't give up anything of value to get this guy but not apposed to a cheap acquisition.
- Queenie_5_hole

Only if we get to call him the Great Santini.

Glad to take Zaitsev and his cap hit if the Laffs include Kapanen
- Crushers68

Yup

Only if we get to call him the Great Santini.
- Atomic Wedgie

I do and you can too!

Wish he lived up to that name. I like old school / stay at home defenseman but he's been the more the Meh Santini.

I do and you can too!

Wish he lived up to that name. I like old school / stay at home defenseman but he's been the more the Meh Santini.
- Queenie_5_hole

So kinda like if they had cast Richard Dreyfuss instead of Robert Duvall?

Honestly, Zaitsev is a decent dman with some offensive skill, who was asked to be a shutdown defender.

He will be fine elsewhere

Today's trade idea, how about the Devils make a play for Brandon Saad. He's pretty consistent 20-goal, 50-point producer (or at least close to it). He's 26 and the Devils can easily afford his contract and bring cap-relief to the Blackhawks. Devils can probably have Saad for one of their 2nd round picks and a prospect not named Boqvist or Smith. Maybe a 2nd and McLeod for Saad and throw in a late draft pick if that balances things out.

Hall-Hischier-Palmieri
Saad-Hughes-Bratt (or switch with Palmieri)
Boqvist-Zajac-Coleman
Wood-Zacha-Bastian (or Anderson)

The defense is still a mess but if Vatanen stays healthy maybe the patchwork D can hold up while Ty Smith is learning. Greene is way beyond his last legs as a top 4 defenseman.

If the Devils are going to grab a top-4 defenseman such as Trouba, the trade, unfortunately, starts with Boqvist. Subban would be a much-needed piece for the Devils, but I think a Kadri for Subban trade makes more sense for the Preds.

Just, no.

Today's trade idea, how about the Devils make a play for Brandon Saad. He's pretty consistent 20-goal, 50-point producer (or at least close to it). He's 26 and the Devils can easily afford his contract and bring cap-relief to the Blackhawks. Devils can probably have Saad for one of their 2nd round picks and a prospect not named Boqvist or Smith. Maybe a 2nd and McLeod for Saad and throw in a late draft pick if that balances things out.

Hall-Hischier-Palmieri
Saad-Hughes-Bratt (or switch with Palmieri)
Boqvist-Zajac-Coleman
Wood-Zacha-Bastian (or Anderson)

The defense is still a mess but if Vatanen stays healthy maybe the patchwork D can hold up while Ty Smith is learning. Greene is way beyond his last legs as a top 4 defenseman.

If the Devils are going to grab a top-4 defenseman such as Trouba, the trade, unfortunately, starts with Boqvist. Subban would be a much-needed piece for the Devils, but I think a Kadri for Subban trade makes more sense for the Preds.
- CardiffGiant

Just no to this as well. If they gave us Saad and threw in their first ok, no to sibban and trouba is not worth what it would take to get him and the pay him.

Today's trade idea, how about the Devils make a play for Brandon Saad. He's pretty consistent 20-goal, 50-point producer (or at least close to it). He's 26 and the Devils can easily afford his contract and bring cap-relief to the Blackhawks. Devils can probably have Saad for one of their 2nd round picks and a prospect not named Boqvist or Smith. Maybe a 2nd and McLeod for Saad and throw in a late draft pick if that balances things out.

Hall-Hischier-Palmieri
Saad-Hughes-Bratt (or switch with Palmieri)
Boqvist-Zajac-Coleman
Wood-Zacha-Bastian (or Anderson)

The defense is still a mess but if Vatanen stays healthy maybe the patchwork D can hold up while Ty Smith is learning. Greene is way beyond his last legs as a top 4 defenseman.

If the Devils are going to grab a top-4 defenseman such as Trouba, the trade, unfortunately, starts with Boqvist. Subban would be a much-needed piece for the Devils, but I think a Kadri for Subban trade makes more sense for the Preds.
- CardiffGiant

This makes me saad