I'd rather keep Maroon over Baertschi, especially at $3.5m/yr for Sven vs $1.9m/year for Maroon. We got 3G and 10A in 17 regular season games out of Maroon, and he was a proven net-front presence who was strong on the puck with us. Sven's production (even at his age) isn't really worth that extra $2m, if you're comparing him to Maroon.

Even if you go off the speed angle for him, we need that big body and presence that a player like Maroon brings. We were weak all season long and ended up getting pushed around most of the time because we had next to nobody big enough to stand up for his teammates. I also don't think Maroon would be getting overpayed too much at this point.

I do, however, think Bratt gets some AHL time if he doesn't return to form at training camp, leaving a winger slot open. I also think Speers will join him down there unless he pulls a Jesper Bratt this year and surprises everyone. On the defense, I think Santini stays down in the AHL unless we can move LJ or Greene. I just don't see us carrying eight defensemen.

Thanks for the feedback. I'm not a Devils expert, so the roster is definitely subject to change from what I have (Bratt, Santini, etc.). The thing with Maroon is that he's a 30 year old UFA that offers all of the things that you've mentioned. He'll be looking for a nice payday and I'll bet someone will give it to him. That could be the Devils, as they have the cap space currently to re-sign him and add Baertschi.

What do you think of the trade value itself?