Roger Mussa: New Jersey Devils Draft Day - Christmas in July?

Hopefully the Devils pass on Hughes at #4 so Detroit has a chance to nab him at #6!

More excited for possible trades than the draft itself. I don't see any way we don't take hughes.

Happy draft day! Hughes or Eklund please!

Unless we can either move up the 29th pick with a later pick I think we stand pat especially if prospects start to fall, there is always a few. Or unless we trade it for some impact player

I expect we select Hughes unless bernier falls in our lap.
If it's not Hughes I would be shocked, unless they feel eklund would be best, Guenther would be good if we had the D set up but we need D

It’s pretty clear Francis was operating with one thing in mind: flexibility. He was able to amass a respectable D core and leave himself $28M in cap space to sign and/or trade for impact forwards. 7 of the guys they picked won’t be on the team anyway, and probably more than 7. To me the plan was clear.

I can see Fitz making a deal for Fluery. One year left on his deal. Not sure what it'll cost, but he can still play and would be perfect as a backup, 20-38 ish games

I can see Fitz making a deal for Fluery. One year left on his deal. Not sure what it'll cost, but he can still play and would be perfect as a backup, 20-38 ish games
- Leniwm1

I wouldn't take Fleury for one year. Wont do anything for this team.
Id rather spend that on someone who could be here a year from now.

Oh god no Ristolainen please. Can’t do anything. Horrible just horrible.

I wouldn't take Fleury for one year. Wont do anything for this team.
Id rather spend that on someone who could be here a year from now.
- Devils Advocate

He'd help Blackwood and mentor him.
Fluery's teammates ALL love the dude.
He is a champion and can help teach professionalism to the youngsters.

I think these are fantastic qualities and perks to getting someone even if it is for one year.

He'd help Blackwood and mentor him.
Fluery's teammates ALL love the dude.
He is a champion and can help teach professionalism to the youngsters.

I think these are fantastic qualities and perks to getting someone even if it is for one year.
- Leniwm1

Agreed, i wouldnt mind Fleury at all.

I hope we package the 29th pick for a top 6 forward, preferably one of Garland/Meier/Reinhart. Im not sure if we do it but there has certainly been talks surrounding it.

Agreed, i wouldnt mind Fleury at all.

I hope we package the 29th pick for a top 6 forward, preferably one of Garland/Meier/Reinhart. Im not sure if we do it but there has certainly been talks surrounding it.
- vlongo4419

Really hope we package the Isles pick for Meier. If we keep it I’m hoping one of Raty, Chayka or Lambos is still there on the board.

Unless we can either move up the 29th pick with a later pick I think we stand pat especially if prospects start to fall, there is always a few. Or unless we trade it for some impact player

I expect we select Hughes unless bernier falls in our lap.
If it's not Hughes I would be shocked, unless they feel eklund would be best, Guenther would be good if we had the D set up but we need D
- dmarsden2988

This is definitely a year that I could see a lot of GMs picking in the 10-20 range being a lot more willing to trade back with rankings being all over the place outside of the top 10ish. If for some reason a guy like Clarke or Kent Johnson starts to slide maybe put up the Isles pick, next years 2nd and a lower end prospect and see if a GM would bite. The price to move up in this draft might not be as high as in previous years.

Really hope we package the Isles pick for Meier. If we keep it I’m hoping one of Raty, Chayka or Lambos is still there on the board.
- smellmyfinger

I like Timo Meier too. Him and Nico have some chemistry playing on Swiss teams. Red flag is that qualifying offer, although I suppose you can re-sign contracts without it.

What is the potential downside to Guenther? If he’s a goal scorer one would think he’d be at the top.. so why isn’t he? And how bad are Clarke’s knees?

Who do we take? I have no idea. Meier has a 6mil hit but for just 2 more years and then he’s an RFA, if I’m understanding this correctly. So.. that’s not terrible. He’ll be 25 in October and has some size at 6 foot, 210lbs. He’s a RW.. and we have that already with Bratt and next year Holtz .. unless one of them goes to the 3rd line or Bratt moves to the left, where we know he can play. Kuokkanen and Shara in the mix too.
So don’t add a winger? I suppose that’s not the solution.
Meier or Tarasenko?.. I’d say Meier looks more attractive and worth the trade from a health, youth and rfa standpoint.

I like Timo Meier too. Him and Nico have some chemistry playing on Swiss teams. Red flag is that qualifying offer, although I suppose you can re-sign contracts without it.
- Pomegrant

Yeah, I would think if he was here and planned on staying the QO wouldn’t be a big deal as I’d expect he would be open to a long term contract over a one year pay day.

What is the potential downside to Guenther? If he’s a goal scorer one would think he’d be at the top.. so why isn’t he? And how bad are Clarke’s knees?

Who do we take? I have no idea. Meier has a 6mil hit but for just 2 more years and then he’s an RFA, if I’m understanding this correctly. So.. that’s not terrible. He’ll be 25 in October and has some size at 6 foot, 210lbs. He’s a RW.. and we have that already with Bratt and next year Holtz .. unless one of them goes to the 3rd line or Bratt moves to the left, where we know he can play. Kuokkanen and Shara in the mix too.
So don’t add a winger? I suppose that’s not the solution.
Meier or Tarasenko?.. I’d say Meier looks more attractive and worth the trade from a health, youth and rfa standpoint.
- MartysBetter88

The only downside to Guenther is that we would be passing on a potential top pair defender. You could make an argument that at least 5 or so players are the best player available at 4, no real knock on Guenthers game and I wouldn’t be disappointed with him. He looks like he has all the tools to be a big time goal scorer, but it’s difficult to pass on Hughes there.

Tarasenko was injured two years ago, since then he hasn’t scored at nearly the same rate as before the injury, there’s big red flags there. If it boils down to being able to acquire one of Meier or Tarasenko the obvious choice should be Meier, but it may take more to land him.

What is the potential downside to Guenther? If he’s a goal scorer one would think he’d be at the top.. so why isn’t he? And how bad are Clarke’s knees?

Who do we take? I have no idea. Meier has a 6mil hit but for just 2 more years and then he’s an RFA, if I’m understanding this correctly. So.. that’s not terrible. He’ll be 25 in October and has some size at 6 foot, 210lbs. He’s a RW.. and we have that already with Bratt and next year Holtz .. unless one of them goes to the 3rd line or Bratt moves to the left, where we know he can play. Kuokkanen and Shara in the mix too.
So don’t add a winger? I suppose that’s not the solution.
Meier or Tarasenko?.. I’d say Meier looks more attractive and worth the trade from a health, youth and rfa standpoint.
- MartysBetter88

Agree that the other options are more attractive than Tarasenko. Hes definitely a risk, and thats why he's the last guy i want. Give me Garland or Meier all day, every day over him. Even if it costs more to acquire those guys

Honestly, it sounds like Tarasenko hasn't moved yet because Armstrong is trying to juice a lot of value out of him for some reason. Sharks are super cap strapped with an aging mediocre roster. They can't full rebuild and have to make moves to retool. This might be one of those scenarios where they need to make any move they can to shed cap.

@FriedgeHNIC
Hearing PHI is one team pursuing Rasmus Ristolainen from BUF. Let's see where it goes.

oh please let this happen.

oh please let this happen.
- Pomegrant

Its a done deal apparently, per Kevin Weekes. Hagg and 2 draft picks going back to the Sabres

Its a done deal apparently, per Kevin Weekes. Hagg and 2 draft picks going back to the Sabres
- vlongo4419

Classic Flyers. Pay a premium to move Gostisbehere, pay a premium to get Ristolainen.

Classic Flyers. Pay a premium to move Gostisbehere, pay a premium to get Ristolainen.
- Pomegrant

Hagg, 13th overall, and a future 2nd for Risto LMFAO

Hagg, 13th overall, and a future 2nd for Risto LMFAO
- vlongo4419

Buffalo made out like bandits. I cant understand this move at all from the Flyer point of view.

Hagg, 13th overall, and a future 2nd for Risto LMFAO
- vlongo4419

This is instantly an all time bad trade. it's so beautiful. it's almost as if they took everything they were going to trade for Jones then just removed the prospect.

Flyers and Rangers both making bonehead offseason moves is exactly what I needed.