This is what I would like to see NJ do this off season. Some things everyone will agree with, there will be some disagreements. Let me know what you guys think.
1) When the season ends, ( even now ) look for a new head coach and let him pick his coaching staff. Travis Green is not the guy and it's shown. There's some veteran coachs available like a Craig Berube, Jay Woodcroft, Todd McLellan, Dean Evason. Or you can go with someone new, as long as there's a new coach come next season.
2) Depending on what happens with the draft lottery, make the pick or trade it. In my opinion if its in the top 10 and we could get some like Sam Dickinson, Berkley Catton or Cayden Lindstrom, I say keep the pick and draft one of those guys. If we fall out of the top 10, I feel that pick should be used for a goaltender. I really would like to draft Dickinson but if the defense is healthy next season, we need a #1 goaltender and that pick should get us one.
3)Qualify the RFA's. I think the only player on the roster this season that will get a big contract will be Dawson Mercer. Yes Schmid and Daws need new contracts as well, but they won't get anything big. With Mercer having a down year, I say try and sign him to a contract like a Jack Hughes. Not so much the same amount of money, but take advantage of the down year and do a long term deal.
4) Sign some Free Agents. For our UFA's, I wouldn't mind bringing back DeSimone, Tierney, WIllman and even MacDermid. The rest I would let walk. I like Brendan Smith but he plays to much and should be a #7 defenseman for us. Not a top 4 like Ruff and Green have him playing as.
5) For Free Agents or even through a trade, find a winger for Jack. I'll make the lines I'd like to see NJ possibly have next season, but it looks like Meier-Hischier-Bratt are our top line and they've been amazing together.
Once again, these are some things I'd like to see NJ do this off season. I was gonna sign Casey but I have a feeling he's gonna go back to Michigan for 1 more season. Let me know what you guys think.
What's the difference between the pick being 10th or 11th? None of those 3 prospects will be available by the time the Devils pick unless they win the lottery
Markstrom will be available at the draft without a shadow of a doubt.
If ever Jersey drops into the top ten, I would still be very interested in a deal involving Mercer.
If retention is required, both teams could also look into ironing this out. Markstrom makes a lot of sense of Jersey and a lot of Jersey's players make sense for the flames.
Calgary accepts this offer for Markstrom. You won't be getting Lindstrom or Dickinson with a 10th/11th OA pick. Both are likely gone in the top 5. Catton you might get there but someone will probably take him before 10th OA too.
With 2 picks in the 8-12 range Calgary would draft Tij Iginla and another pretty good player (Carter Yakemchuk would be a great choice if he's still there), maybe even trade one of those picks + Vancouver's late 1st to move up a few spots.
Markstrom will be available at the draft without a shadow of a doubt.
If ever Jersey drops into the top ten, I would still be very interested in a deal involving Mercer.
If retention is required, both teams could also look into ironing this out. Markstrom makes a lot of sense of Jersey and a lot of Jersey's players make sense for the flames.
Neither Mercer or the 2024 1st will be available for markstrom.
Both had already been taken of the table (mercer never was on the table), and that was before markstrom started his 0.875 disaster run since valentines day