You load up the D when u draft Drysdale or Sanderson

OR why not just make 2 simple moves this offseason. Well they aren't exactly simple :P Trade for Eichel (which the Devils are in a great position to do) and then sign Pietroangelo.

The Devils are 3 years away from legitimately competing. AP's contract would be a burden by then.

I disagree with your timeframe, but more specifically, that timeline ramps up if you make those 2 incredibly simple moves I mentioned earlier :P

man Drysdale would be nice, a Smith-Drysdale pairing in the future could be unreal.

I don't think Pietrangelo would be the best fit but I would sell my soul if it meant NJ trading for Eichel

probably would be competitive right away if they picked up him and Eichel lol, but I agree he doesn't make sense for them

we get screwed on Nashville deal, Turris contract is horrendous and we don't even get a solid draft pick in return? in fact we have to give one up? no thanks

Where would you play Eichel if you had him? please dont pit Hughes on wing.

My theory is that any half-decent GM regardless of whether they had previous managerial experience or not (talking about Adams here), would need a really good young center back, and only so many teams have that. I think the Devils would be smart to keep Hughes, and use him as their 2C and trade Hirschier, who just signed a relatively decent extension with plenty of term. He'd be the starting piece heading back in the deal for Eichel. So Eichel would be the team's 1C and Hughes 2C then Zajac 3C and so forth.

I wouldn't do it. not one for one. eichel has baggage and cap hit and Hischier looks like he's here.

Preds pass. Mueller's not worth giving a qualifying offer to.

I meant that the deal starts with Hischier, but it would likely take significant additional pieces. I am not exactly sure what baggage you are referring to, but Eichel is a legitimate elite #1 center. The deal would have to blow the Sabres away. So the deal starts with Hischier, but it would likely take 3 additional pieces, including two 1st round draft picks in 2020.

buffalo should add NOT NJ. Coach killer , not in my room, Thanks.

Almost every FA contract ends up being a burden these days, but I have more faith in Petro playing meaningful minutes at 36 years old than run and gun D like PK or almost any forward in this league.

The other options are like Dillon, Brodie, and Borocop. They are all within about 12 months of each other when it comes to age, and they will probably garner about 4mm x 5 or 6 years. The difference is that those guys (maybe aside from brodie) arent even that talented right now, in their prime. I cant imagine how bad they will be at 36 years old.

I guess an alternative would be like giving big Buff 1 or 2 years @7 million and hoping he still has about 60-140 games left of hockey in him at 36 or 37.