Todd Cordell: The New Jersey Devils should sell high on Sami Vatanen

At some point we have to keep some veteran talent but yes if the right deal comes a long you should take it. I don't think it should be forced though especially if Vatanan is willing to resign at an acceptable price.

Totally agree, the smart move would be to move Sami. This season is lost, recoup some draft capital or a decent prospect and start planning/making space to add this off-season.

I don't think you can use from the beginning of last season to now to evaluate Vats. He was a mess last year due to injury and wasn't the same player. He seemed significantly better the year before and this year.

That said, if there is a pretty good return available then take it.

This makes me sad

Hello Todd, thanks, could not agree more. Hopefully a better prospect (looking at oilcans) then a pick. That would also meet owners demand of improve faster....

I agree.

Its interesting in the 31 thoughts column Elliotte mentions we could do quite well on Palms or Coleman should we choose to but I am more against this.

Keep those guys and if we want move them at next deadline or resign them but as far as this season goes trade what UFAs we can and hope its the last time we are forced to sell at a deadline for a long time.

Vatanen to Pittsburgh for Galchenyuk +

Pass on Galchenuk, unless it's a first coming back.

Todd, the problem with this is that if we do trade Vatanen do we actually believe any of the top-tier defensive free-agents are coming here. With all things equal, most free-agents don't put the Devils on the top of their list unless we totally overpay them. So Muzzin (or whoever) might cost us a lot more then just trying to re-sign Vatanen if they even want to come here when we over-pay.

Todd, the problem with this is that if we do trade Vatanen do we actually believe any of the top-tier defensive free-agents are coming here. With all things equal, most free-agents don't put the Devils on the top of their list unless we totally overpay them. So Muzzin (or whoever) might cost us a lot more then just trying to re-sign Vatanen if they even want to come here when we over-pay.
- Gambi99

I think its a little funny because what happens if we resign him ? Im curious whats the next step then ? You said no one is signing here and he has been here the whole time so wouldnt hold true that resigning him wont change that. So how do you imorove the D in the next 3 good years he will have give or take ?

If it is solely a voice in a room we are keeping then you can get that in any vet p.k will praise Hal Gill Josh Georges lots of great d where mentored and brought a long by guus you wouldnt necessarily think.

None of the D prospects are in bing yet so its to early to pencil them in right away so im struggling to understand where the resign Vatanan group is improving the D anyways? At least by trading him you are likely getting a first or a top prospect to help us draft a stud for the future as I doubt you are trading for one that isnt washed up or without completely cleaning out the so so pool we have built up.

DISAGREE


You cant keeo seling off all defensmen we have ....
Is Vats better than some yes .Id=s he worse than others yes...

Is he the second best D mn we have --YES>....

Sign him to 5M 5 yr....
hell be 34 when deal runs out......

Good second paid D man who excels on PP ...


Smith -PK
Severson -Vats
Butcher - Bahl

Vatanen to Pittsburgh for Galchenyuk + Pierre-Olivier Joseph
- Barnaby36

Wood on the top line could they be showcasing him for a team ?

I think its a little funny because what happens if we resign him ? Im curious whats the next step then ? You said no one is signing here and he has been here the whole time so wouldnt hold true that resigning him wont change that. So how do you imorove the D in the next 3 good years he will have give or take ?

If it is solely a voice in a room we are keeping then you can get that in any vet p.k will praise Hal Gill Josh Georges lots of great d where mentored and brought a long by guus you wouldnt necessarily think.

None of the D prospects are in bing yet so its to early to pencil them in right away so im struggling to understand where the resign Vatanan group is improving the D anyways? At least by trading him you are likely getting a first or a top prospect to help us draft a stud for the future as I doubt you are trading for one that isnt washed up or without completely cleaning out the so so pool we have built up.
- Devilish4

Our next step will be developing our own "prospects" and hopefully some can make the jump (Ty Smith?) and/or sign the "second-tier" defensive free-agents like Joel Edmundson? I'm not keeping him for a "Veteran" voice but he's probably better then most we have on the team right now (sorry Butcher but I would trade you in a second). I also do not believe he's going to return "a stud or top prospect" in a trade, The pick would be in the bottom half of the draft if we even got a 1st round pick but if we only can get a 2nd? Do you still do it? ....If we can re-sign him at a fair contract then do it, but if he doesn't want to re-sign then you have to trade him just like Hall.

Our next step will be developing our own "prospects" and hopefully some can make the jump (Ty Smith?) and/or sign the "second-tier" defensive free-agents like Joel Edmundson? I'm not keeping him for a "Veteran" voice but he's probably better then most we have on the team right now (sorry Butcher but I would trade you in a second). I also do not believe he's going to return "a stud or top prospect" in a trade, The pick would be in the bottom half of the draft if we even got a 1st round pick but if we only can get a 2nd? Do you still do it? ....If we can re-sign him at a fair contract then do it, but if he doesn't want to re-sign then you have to trade him just like Hall.
- Gambi99

No i wouldnt trade him for a second but ill gladly admitt im wrong if or when he gets moved for a second. He is one of the better dman available and at a good dollar while we still can eat cap on it we will get a very good deal for Sami V and its already be reported we have gotten 1 SOLID offer already for him.

Im for looking to add guys like Edmundson so the D isnt bare but thay doesnt have much to do with moving Vats.

Im curious though if it matters that much then how many pts better in the standing will we be in keeping him over the course of his next deal ? Not very many over the course of a season I would imagine and that is assuming he doesnt decline at all over those years.

DISAGREE


You cant keeo seling off all defensmen we have ....
Is Vats better than some yes .Id=s he worse than others yes...

Is he the second best D mn we have --YES>

Sign him to 5M 5 yr....
hell be 34 when deal runs out...

Good second paid D man who excels on PP


Smith -PK
Severson -Vats
Butcher - Bahl
- thechezman

THIS ^

Dylan Demelo would be a nice add to.

I have read a few Sens blogs and it sounds like he makes everyone he plays with better and is young enough.

Not sure if they would consider moving him ? And if so perhaps at the draft to not disrupt this years positioning to much.

Trading Vats and forcing a top 6 that would include 2 of 3 Carrick, Mueller and Tennyson makes me shudder.

I'm not in love with any defenseman we have but there are probably 5 other D men more deserving to get the boot. Our D is atrocious.

Trading Vats and forcing a top 6 that would include 2 of 3 Carrick, Mueller and Tennyson makes me shudder.

I'm not in love with any defenseman we have but there are probably 5 other D men more deserving to get the boot. Our D is atrocious.
- devilspep

He isnt getting traded because he sucks. He is will get traded if the team sees that his Value will never be higher then this deadline as he is likely to be overpaid on his next deal.

Todd Cordell: The New Jersey Devils should sell high on Sami Vatanen
- Todd.Cordell

God the d will look so bad without him

God the d will look so bad without him
- shvingter88

So trade him if the value is high, and try to resign him in free agency. IF not spend the money on someone else. The important thing like with Hall is not to lose him for nothing.

And that thought trumps all, do not lose him for nothing.

And that thought trumps all, do not lose him for nothing.
- redmonsters

That is the bottom line and it sure would help the tank this year.

To some degree what Sami is willing to do could affect this. If he loves NJ and wants to sign a reasonable deal the team has to evaluate that choice. But it looks like he's leaving anyway there really is no choice but to make the best trade possible.

I'd be ok with 5mil for 4 yrs for him. even 5.5. Meh meh meh.