Quoting: CheechYou
I've consistently seen Devils fans mention they don't need Hamilton on this site. Here's an example just from a roster I made a while back: https://www.capfriendly.com/armchair-gm/team/2444180.
It projects because Devils fans (IMO, and the Hamilton turn of events supports this) tend to undervalue what guys like Hamilton/Meier can bring to their team and NJ management's recognition of this. The fact that I've seen deals centered for Meier around Butcher (who you had to pay to get rid of...) Foote and a 2nd speaks to this too.
I don't speak for all Devils fans obviously...but we clearly needed another top-4 d-man, if not two, out of this off-season.
I think now we have the following for next few years:
Smith -- Severson
Graves -- Hamilton
With Bahl, Siegenthlaer, Mukhamalidullin, Edwards and Luke Hughes eventually working into picture (both Hughes and Smith play RD too).
If a Meier deal were to happen, it would be either a young forward or a young forward and a pick.
We can debate who that young forward would be, but I do not think any of those top-4 above would be part of trade (nor Jack Hughes, Hischier, Bratt, Sharangovich or Holtz).
Pretty much anyone else is probably fair game.