Aaaaand....it's a Ranger fan...makes sense

NJ declines in a hurry that's a major overpay.

Rossi is nowhere close to being a number 1 center at this point.

Was about to say, Its about a 1 for 1 swap for Fiala and second overall, not a whole Mercer attached to that

Teams aren’t paying a premium knowing Minnesota has cap issues

I think Fiala straight up for Mercer or Holtz is the fairest deal.

I'd still decline if I am NJ.

We have to get something of major quality back. Guerin is going to be playing hardball, he still isn't forced to trade him. Make a team give up a premium asset or else take the situation into the middle of the summer and trade Dumba.

no way they give up on Mercer

In my view, a team must have all of the following to be in the bidding for Fiala

1) Cap room (obviously....around $7.5-8m....not going to argue a matter of $1m
1b) Players you can trade to get the cap room to another party since MINN needs minimal money back. People need to want those assets.

2) Assets to get the player

3) Desire to win now- Which I get many teams may want to win now, but if Fiala only gets you from a bottom feeder to middle of the pack and you don't already have young prospects in the system, you otherwise could get stuck in mediocracy which may be the worst scenario.


How many teams check all these boxes?


I understand the concept of NJD being interested in Fiala, Boeser, Garland...less so Miller (just that he's about to hit 30 and doesn't match the window)

Will OTT's new ownership (his kids) go to the cap? Who is LA willing to part with? Is DET there? Does PIT have anything left to trade? Will CAR have the room?


I'm not an expert on any of the teams I'm mentioning, but wanted an honest discussion of who is likely to be in the bidding and how that impacts the price.

Minny can't even afford to sign Fiala, they're not getting major quality in return for an RFA that's going to be due a huge contract that everyone knows Wild can't afford. They'll get a nice return but it isn't going to be Fiala's value. Also Fiala is not a good playoff performer and that's a big problem for contenders looking to acquire him.

I highly doubt the Devils give up Mercer + 2nd overall for anyone, but Fiala is probably a nice trade target for them.

I agree with your assessment. A team like the Canes can wait until UFA time and offer sheet him. Instead of burning assets. Minnesota then will be in a pickle to move assets. It isn’t likely that many teams will offer market value for these players knowing Minnesota has cap issues and can offer sheet if they don’t like the trade

Mercer or Holtz are not moving in any deal unless it’s for Matt Tkachuk or Pastranak

That is an interesting call, but could actually be why Minnesota is forced to deal him at the draft as if they match they can't trade him for a year, but on the other side if they only get a LATE 1st, 2nd, 3rd....it might actually be worse than some other offers that people have said are not very good.

Devils decline EASILY.

Holtz for Fiala straight up.

he should extend him and not entertain any offers at all lol

he will be forced to trade him if he can't fit in his arbitration contract because he clearly doesn't think he'll be able to fit him in on a long term extension. His only leverage is a bidding war and hoping somebody is dumb enough to pay close to full value.

yes we can afford him, I don't know why everyone thinks we can't, other moves can be made.

Minnesota needs a top line center or expect more 1st round exits. Signing Fiala is a bad idea all over as Rossi is nowhere close to a top center and Eriksson Ek is a pretty good 2C.

trading fiala for scraps isn't going to help either.

I don't mean scraps but he isn't returning Dawson Mercer or Alexander Holtz and certainly not with a 1st. You're looking at a B+ level prospect and a mid 1st and maybe another 3rd or something.

Canes pass. Dumba is nice, but Drury and Fast aren’t getting traded.

Ofc it’s a biased Rangers fan

Yup...sanest thing I've read in a Fiala-to-NJ thread.

(we just don't have the mid-1st to spend)