"if you can come to them with a good package, and it'd better be a good package, they won't say no"

Nowhere does he mention Kevin Fiala in that segment.

This would be a Guerin W for sure.

Got that info from:

https://www.nhltraderumor.com/new-jersey-devils-looking-to-trade-2nd-overall-draft-pick-for-impact-player/

Well, I’m praying contract talks with pastrnak go poorly so the devils shift their sites there.

I don't think Fiala and 26 OA for 2 OA is a bad offer but having Cooley or Slafkovsky on an ELC is just so damn valuable that I don't think the Devils make that trade.

Very possible, but Fiala is an instant upgrade. Any rookie will likely go through growing pains. Is the GM willing to wait it out? Or does he even believe that highly in those guys? Just some variables to think about. I don’t think anything is guaranteed at this point. I think NJ gets better with this deal and still ends up with a first rounder. MN takes a step back initially, if prospect hits then May win the deal but if Cooley ends up as Yakupov, then it’s a steal for NJD.

I just don't see why Fitzgerald would give up on #2 ova for an upgrade in forward when there's so many intriguing FAs that can achieve the same thing.
Nichushkin, Burakovsky, Forsberg, Marchment, Palat, Copp etc
Either of them + Slafkovsky would be much better for the Devils than Fiala + Wild 2022 1st rd pick.
If he doesn't end up staying one more year in Minnesota, I think best fit for Fiala would be Ottawa

And Burakovsky just got scratched! Seems like he'll be on the market. His underlyings are similar (though a step down) from Fiala. He shouldn't cost as much (but is more likely to decline faster) and we get to have Slaf/Cooley on an ELC. Makes no sense to move 2OA for Fiala (or arguably anyone)

That’s entirely possible he feels that way. But FA is a crap shoot and you never know if you can get the guy you want. Unless you overpay severely. And we keep assuming the 2OA is a sure fire hit and immediately, but that’s no guarantee either. Fiala put up 85 points without a legit C.

And apart from Forsberg, none of those guys will get as big a contract as whatever Fiala will get either this offseason or next.
The opportunity cost of acquiring Fiala for anything resembling fair value is just to great price to pay for a team like Devils.
If you can't use this current situation to fleece Guerin to the tune of smthn like Zacha + Stillman + #37, I don't see the point in going for Fiala.



I don't assume whomever Devils pick at #2 makes the lineup right away.
I wouldn't really want that guy in the NHL straight after the draft anyway.
And sure, there's always risk in FA but it's not like trading for Fiala is risk-free either.
I wouldn't want the Devils to give anything close to fair value for Fiala this summer, if he goes somewhere else that's totally fine with me.

I guess we’ll find out. I think it makes sense for both teams. There’s risk for both teams and a chance both teams are better in the end. Fiala with a legit C would be amazing IMO. Very dangerous L1. If McDavid was available with 2OA, then yeah, obvious no brainer but by most accounts the draft is down this year.