Todd Cordell: New Jersey Devils Q&A: On trade bait, Hall, pressure to add & more

I've been hoping for Santini to break thru at some point but it hasn't happened. Even his physical play has been limited to the point Connor Carrick might be a better option.

We need Jujhar Khaira from Edm.

Im just waiting to hear what Oil90 has to say. He always has good insight

They've got to clear out at least one (two in a perfect world) of Santini, Carrick or Mueller, with Santini far and away the odd man out. Mueller is probably the one to keep in a third pairing role, and while the idea of a Mueller/Smith pairing carries a bit of risk, it could be interesting against weaker competition.

Hopefully Ray can get someone to bite on Santini as a throw away in a trade for some real help.

They've got to clear out at least one (two in a perfect world) of Santini, Carrick or Mueller, with Santini far and away the odd man out. Mueller is probably the one to keep in a third pairing role, and while the idea of a Mueller/Smith pairing carries a bit of risk, it could be interesting against weaker competition.

Hopefully Ray can get someone to bite on Santini as a throw away in a trade for some real help.
- Cmor11794

We've got 4 defenders under contract (Greene, Severson, Vats and Santini) and three RFAs looking for contacts (Butcher, Mueller and Carrick). So that's 7 guys and we are hoping Ty Smith pushes for a spot. So I can see Ray Ray keeping everyone and sending two guys (probably Santini and Carrick) down the Binghamton until someone gets hurt.

The alternative is to bring in a more established defender from free agency and letting Carrick go. But planning ahead, after this year Greene is out of contract and 37 years old. Vats is out of contract and will be a FA. So we don't really have many NHL quality defenders.

We've got 4 defenders under contract (Greene, Severson, Vats and Santini) and three RFAs looking for contacts (Butcher, Mueller and Carrick). So that's 7 guys and we are hoping Ty Smith pushes for a spot. So I can see Ray Ray keeping everyone and sending two guys (probably Santini and Carrick) down the Binghamton until someone gets hurt.

The alternative is to bring in a more established defender from free agency and letting Carrick go. But planning ahead, after this year Greene is out of contract and 37 years old. Vats is out of contract and will be a FA. So we don't really have many NHL quality defenders.
- Queenie_5_hole

Fair point, but I just think that the bottom half of the group needs to see some kind of turnover outside of Smith pushing for a spot. They'll also have Davies getting some run in Binghampton, and gave Jacobs a game with the big club last year (and it would be pretty hard for him to give anything less than what they get from Santini). Some fresh blood and new competition could be a very helpful thing to get them going.

I've been hoping for Santini to break thru at some point but it hasn't happened. Even his physical play has been limited to the point Connor Carrick might be a better option.
- Queenie_5_hole

He's been such a letdown so far. I had at minimum mid-pair hopes for him.

Wonder if the devils would be interested in Jeff Carter...kings don’t necessarily need to get rid of contract but I’d rather see some kids in the veteran spots. Maybe 1-1.5 retained. Don’t know what a trade would look like. I doubt he’d want to go to NJ. Maybe Arizona

Phaneuf obviously is their buyout candidate to shed some salary, although year 2 or 3 is the killer.

Wonder if the devils would be interested in Jeff Carter...kings don’t necessarily need to get rid of contract but I’d rather see some kids in the veteran spots. Maybe 1-1.5 retained. Don’t know what a trade would look like. I doubt he’d want to go to NJ. Maybe Arizona

Phaneuf obviously is their buyout candidate to shed some salary, although year 2 or 3 is the killer.
- KINGS67

Carter can go (frank) himself.

Wonder if the devils would be interested in Jeff Carter...kings don’t necessarily need to get rid of contract but I’d rather see some kids in the veteran spots. Maybe 1-1.5 retained. Don’t know what a trade would look like. I doubt he’d want to go to NJ. Maybe Arizona

Phaneuf obviously is their buyout candidate to shed some salary, although year 2 or 3 is the killer.
- KINGS67

id much rather take phaneuf, he can still play D.put him on the 3rd pairing and he'll be our only tough Dman (that we sorely miss)

id much rather take phaneuf, he can still play D.put him on the 3rd pairing and he'll be our only tough Dman (that we sorely miss)
- Leniwm1

Phaneuf is dogpoop. He is a possession anchor that has no place in the league anymore.

Todd Cordell: New Jersey Devils Q&A: On trade bait, Hall, pressure to add & more
- Todd.Cordell

God I want a RW badly!!!!

Vegas should have either March/Touch available, and Toronto likely can't afford Kapanen.

I feel Toronto makes the best trade partner, as their only right shooting D is Zaitsev, who has been horrible, and wants out of the city, plus Gardiner is likely walking into free agency. I want nothing to Zaitsev, but having zero RH Defense is a big issue. We could certainly help them in that department.

Vegas on the other hand, is lacking down the middle. We certainly will not be trading Nico or Hughes anytime soon, so that leaves Zajac (at 50% retained), and Zacha as viable options. Either Marchy or Touch would be great, as their contracts are both absolute steals given what 20 goal scorers are getting paid today.

Doonskoi would still be a perfect 3RW, and would love to have him signed here.

They've got to clear out at least one (two in a perfect world) of Santini, Carrick or Mueller, with Santini far and away the odd man out. Mueller is probably the one to keep in a third pairing role, and while the idea of a Mueller/Smith pairing carries a bit of risk, it could be interesting against weaker competition.

Hopefully Ray can get someone to bite on Santini as a throw away in a trade for some real help.
- Cmor11794

It's good timing. The older players can be used as rentals if need be, and lets not forget about Smith/Davies/Walsh all looking like A+ prospects. I am happy to have Greene and Vats in their final season under contract. It is a good position for Ray to be in.

Phaneuf is dogpoop. He is a possession anchor that has no place in the league anymore.
- Pomegrant

I was thinking if he just focused on D and clearing crease... but maybe, I havent watched him play in a while.

I was thinking if he just focused on D and clearing crease... but maybe, I havent watched him play in a while.
- Leniwm1

He's just Lovejoy with a 5 mil cap and under contract for another year. We'd be doing them a big favor.

He's just Lovejoy with a 5 mil cap and under contract for another year. We'd be doing them a big favor.
- Pomegrant

What if it included a top prospect (depends on how desperate LA is to drop him)? We can afford his contract and it'll be gone with Greene and Zajac. I think he'd provide a useful game for us.

I'd rather have him in the 6th spot vs mueller, sant or carrick

Todd Cordell: New Jersey Devils Q&A: On trade bait, Hall, pressure to add & more
- Todd.Cordell

Trading butcher just seems dirty to me. He actually wanted to sign here, and he’s pretty good.

Wonder if the devils would be interested in Jeff Carter...kings don’t necessarily need to get rid of contract but I’d rather see some kids in the veteran spots. Maybe 1-1.5 retained. Don’t know what a trade would look like. I doubt he’d want to go to NJ. Maybe Arizona

Phaneuf obviously is their buyout candidate to shed some salary, although year 2 or 3 is the killer.
- KINGS67

5 years ago I would have loved carter in a devils sweater

id much rather take phaneuf, he can still play D.put him on the 3rd pairing and he'll be our only tough Dman (that we sorely miss)
- Leniwm1

Yikes

Fair point, but I just think that the bottom half of the group needs to see some kind of turnover outside of Smith pushing for a spot. They'll also have Davies getting some run in Binghampton, and gave Jacobs a game with the big club last year (and it would be pretty hard for him to give anything less than what they get from Santini). Some fresh blood and new competition could be a very helpful thing to get them going.
- Cmor11794

Totally agree. We have too many mediocre/bottom pairing defenders and a lack of high end talent.

That's why I'd gamble on Subban if the Preds are looking for cap relief more then asset return.

Agreed, it would be slimy to trade Butcher. Plus he is only going to get better.

God I want a RW badly!!!!

Vegas should have either March/Touch available, and Toronto likely can't afford Kapanen.

Kapanen + Holl + 2019 4th (STL) + 2020 4th for Zacha + Bratt +2019 2nd (ANA) + 2019 3rd (NJ)

God I want a RW badly!!!!

Vegas should have either March/Touch available, and Toronto likely can't afford Kapanen.

Kapanen + Holl + 2019 4th (STL) + 2020 4th for Zacha + Bratt +2019 2nd (ANA) + 2019 3rd (NJ)
- paulozz

This may not be that far off actually.

This may not be that far off actually.
- willschulme

Kapanen is going to be a good one, but I can say the same for Bratt. I'm not sure this is the best of trades.