Sam Woo: Raising Hell: Tom Fitzgerald Presser, Kate Madigan, Alex Debrincat?

How would trading for DeBrincat effect then filing other holes? You have cap space and he’s priced reasonably for next 2 seasons.

How would trading for DeBrincat effect then filing other holes? You have cap space and he’s priced reasonably for next 2 seasons.
- kfinl170

well you know getting good players that improve your roster might not improve your roster because then you don't know if that draft pick you traded would've improved your roster so instead of improving the roster it's better to do nothing.

Recap of the Fitz presser:

-Phones been ringing and hes been making phone calls.

-No clear cut guy at 2OA but talks about projecting these players and how they are when they're 25 years old.

-Has gotten a bunch of tire kicking on the pick, but nothing of substance.

-Talks about how Bratt is a great player that they admire and want to build with, been in talks and made an offer that shows the commitment to him. Havent heard back from his camp yet. Wants Bratt to be a Devil for a very long time.

-Wont comment on the numbers/parameters of the deal that the team offered to Bratt.

-Wont comment on the names that they're considering for the #2 pick, but says this draft is unique and theres a lot of very good players. Looking for the player with the highest upside and someone that we can build around down the road. Mentioned they believe theirs 5, 6, or 7 guys that all have the same ceiling.

-Talked to Minnesota about Fiala but at the end of the day Bill Guerin was locked in with LA and that was his priority.

-Jesper Bratt has never been on the trading block and he has never had any conversation about a Bratt trade with anybody. Doesnt even know where or how that stuff got out there.

-Nothing imminent in regards to assistant coaches. Interviewed a lot of people. Looking for someone with experience running defense and someone who is good with young players and can run an effective PK. Also looking for someone who knows how to run a PP.

-Lindy Ruff is the head coach.

-Not many teams actually have the asset(s) to acquire the #2 pick from us, a lot of meaningless conversations about it with other teams.

-Plans to qualify all of our RFAs.

-Super excited about where Luke is and his current progress. Hes going back to school to try to win a national championship and get stronger. He wont be at development camp because hes preparing and training to get ready for the World Junior Championships in August.

-Blackwood feels really good and is confident with where hes at. Anticipates him getting back to the goalie we saw him be prior to this year.

-Benier is progressing slower and theres no timeframe on if or when he'll be back.

-Trying to add to the goaltending position and wants to keep Daws/Schmid in Utica. Doesnt ever want to use 7 goaltenders in a season again and also doesnt want to put those young kids in the position they had to be in last season.

-Wood is progressing but hasnt been back on the ice yet. Confident he'll get back to 100%.

-Sharangovich stayed in New Jersey.

-Jack is fully healthy and probably couldve come back to play at the end of the season, but they didnt want to risk further injury.

-Development camp is Sunday through Friday.

-Prospect/Rookie tournament will happen again.

Epic recap. Thanks

nothing in fitz's presser about giving away all of our good players for nothing?

well you know getting good players that improve your roster might not improve your roster because then you don't know if that draft pick you traded would've improved your roster so instead of improving the roster it's better to do nothing.
- Pomegrant

This made more sense than the blog

Would Matt Tkachuk straight up for the #2 pick interest this page?

Would Matt Tkachuk straight up for the #2 pick interest this page?
- DEDDIE

Think it would take more but yes

They are saying we're in on Jack Campbell at 5x5 so hopefully just more media made up nonsense.

Would Matt Tkachuk straight up for the #2 pick interest this page?
- DEDDIE

The #2 pick from a mediocre draft for one of the top wingers in the league? Sounds reasonable

They are saying we're in on Jack Campbell at 5x5 so hopefully just more media made up nonsense.
- Pomegrant

Yeaaaah, screw that. I know we're definitely in on him but a contract at that length for him is a buyout waiting to happen. Let the Oilers give him that. Wouldnt want to give him anymore than 2 or 3 years max. Much rather just go after Husso, who will be cheaper, and is younger/better.

Think it would take more but yes
- dmarsden2988

Lots of speculation here that if JG goes the UFA route Chucky will be shopped unless he commits to signing a long term deal.

The #2 pick from a mediocre draft for one of the top wingers in the league? Sounds reasonable
- kfinl170

His current RFA status is relative to his trade value.

Epic recap. Thanks
- MartysBetter88

Yes, thank you good sir!

Would Matt Tkachuk straight up for the #2 pick interest this page?
- DEDDIE

I would. This team needs a scoring winger badly, but one with snarl and bite is needed even more. Too many smurfs that are pushovers on the roster. Maybe they need to add a pick with it, but a workable deal in my opinion.

Would Matt Tkachuk straight up for the #2 pick interest this page?
- DEDDIE

Obviously depends a ton on if he's willing to sign long term here, but straight up for the 2OA I think we'd atleast consider it. He's exactly what this team needs. But I don't think it'd be a straight up trade. Even with his RFA status, I think it'd require atleast one more major asset such as Holtz or Mercer and without certainty that he'd re-sign I don't think that trade happens.

Fitz has talked a ton about the only way he moves the 2nd overall pick is for a young player with a lot of team control. A guy who can just take his QO and walk to UFA after 1 year is not that, and its the same reason he wont trade the pick for DeBrincat(he can just walk after 2 years instead of 1 in this instance).The Devils are ultimately going to keep the pick and make the selection.

Obviously depends a ton on if he's willing to sign long term here, but straight up for the 2OA I think we'd atleast consider it. He's exactly what this team needs. But I don't think it'd be a straight up trade. Even with his RFA status, I think it'd require atleast one more major asset such as Holtz or Mercer and without certainty that he'd re-sign I don't think that trade happens.

Fitz has talked a ton about the only way he moves the 2nd overall pick is for a young player with a lot of team control. A guy who can just take his QO and walk to UFA after 1 year is not that, and its the same reason he wont trade the pick for DeBrincat(he can just walk after 2 years instead of 1 in this instance).The Devils are ultimately going to keep the pick and make the selection.
- vlongo4419

The reality is if a Chucky trade were to happen it wont be before the draft tomorrow unless he has privately told the Flames he's not interested in signing with them long term.

The reality is if a Chucky trade were to happen it wont be before the draft tomorrow unless he has privately told the Flames he's not interested in signing with them long term.
- DEDDIE

Yeah i dont see it happening. It seems like the Devils plan is to keep the pick and then open up the check book for Gaudreau in free agency.

Yeah i dont see it happening. It seems like the Devils plan is to keep the pick and then open up the check book for Gaudreau in free agency.
- vlongo4419

Starting to sound like a possibility.... committing 7 or 8 years to JG is very risky business IMO so wont be heart broke if JG leaves.

Starting to sound like a possibility.... committing 7 or 8 years to JG is very risky business IMO so wont be heart broke if JG leaves.
- DEDDIE

I agree with you, especially if that number is in the 10.5M range, which it certainly could be. The last 3 or 4 years of that deal could be a bit of a burden but hopefully the cap starts to go up like its rumored to be doing in a few years... should help mitigate it a bit i guess. He'd be a heck of a lot of fun to watch with Jack Hughes though thats for sure lol.

I agree with you, especially if that number is in the 10.5M range, which it certainly could be. The last 3 or 4 years of that deal could be a bit of a burden but hopefully the cap starts to go up like its rumored to be doing in a few years... should help mitigate it a bit i guess. He'd be a heck of a lot of fun to watch with Jack Hughes though thats for sure lol.
- vlongo4419

Should be a fun week to be a fan

For a team that has been stuck in mediocrity/bottom of the league, how are you so concerned with trading lottery tickets for proven stars (Tkachuck, DeBrincat) or signing superstars to a deal that may look bad in 2028 (Gaudreau). How the hell do you expect to get competitive?

For a team that has been stuck in mediocrity/bottom of the league, how are you so concerned with trading lottery tickets for proven stars (Tkachuck, DeBrincat) or signing superstars to a deal that may look bad in 2028 (Gaudreau). How the hell do you expect to get competitive?
- kfinl170

Its pretty easy to understand why a team that isn't one elite forward away from winning a championship wouldn't risk trading away a high tier asset or two for a player that could just walk away in one or two years, then you're left with absolutely nothing out of it. It'd be a completely different story if they were on the verge of contending for a cup, then it'd be a risk worth taking and "going for it."

They're well on their way to being competitive just sticking to the current plan and not mortgaging the future to attempt to make the playoffs just to lose in round 1. They're most likely competitive bubble playoff team with the current roster as is without any additions if they have if they fix the goaltending.

Its pretty easy to understand why a team that isn't one elite forward away from winning a championship wouldn't risk trading away a high tier asset or two for a player that could just walk away in one or two years, then you're left with absolutely nothing out of it. It'd be a completely different story if they were on the verge of contending for a cup, then it'd be a risk worth taking and "going for it."

They're well on their way to being competitive just sticking to the current plan and not mortgaging the future to attempt to make the playoffs just to lose in round 1. They're most likely competitive bubble playoff team with the current roster as is without any additions if they have if they fix the goaltending.
- vlongo4419

or we can just gift all of our good players to more deserving Canadian teams.