MN quickly declines

What you think add 2023 first? Different players/picks instead?

Wild don’t have a need for Boquist or Smith. We’ve got so many LHD prospects coming and have a solid bottom 6 already for cheap.

I just don’t think NJDs are a fit for Fiala. Unless it’s a package for 2OA (with more than just Fiala going to NJD). It feels like the Sens will offer a package around 7OA. So NJDs would have to beat that.

*this assumed Mercer and Holtz were untouchable as most NJDs fans indicate

I think most of us Wild fans are only really interested if the deal is something around 2OA, Holtz, or Mercer but I understand that Devils fans don't want to give any of those pieces up.

Smith, Boqvist, Zacha, Wood, etc. don't really do anything for us. We're stocked to the brim with depth forwards and LD prospects. What we really need is a forward, ideally a center, who has a lot of potential to be a core roster player in the future and Fiala should be used as our ticket to get just that.

I found this comment from Scott Wheeler of the Athletic today interesting… from his latest mock draft released today.

“2. New Jersey Devils: Juraj Slafkovsky, LW, TPS
My rank: No. 5

With centres Jack Hughes, Nico Hischier and Dawson Mercer all entering or approaching the prime of their careers, and after having drafted a star D prospect in Luke Hughes a year ago, the Devils are in a rare situation where they don’t have to worry about drafting for a premium position. Mix in the belief, held by many, that the Devils need to get bigger (which, I should note, doesn’t stack up with their average height or weight, both of which were in the league’s top 10 last year), and some questions about whether Alexander Holtz will land closer to a 25-goal guy than a 35-plus-goal guy, and the readymade quality of Slafkovsky’s game that won’t require years of waiting for, and he just makes a lot of practical and theoretical sense“

In your opinion what would you add to Fiala if 2OA was in play for him?

I’ve seen some R1 pick swaps, so 2OA for our 1st, then Fiala (with contract signed), and a D prospect (O’Rourke?/ Addison?). A package around that looks fairly even IMO.

Not who you asked, but I could see us giving up our 1st in addition to Fiala for 2 OA. I personally wouldn't be the happiest with that, but it wouldn't surprise me. We have needed a top line center for over 20 years as a franchise and while Cooley (or Wright if Montreal doesn't take him) are not perfect by any means, they project to be mid- to low-tier first line centers which is better than anything we've ever had so it could be worth it to overpay if we have to. Problem is we're really banking on that player to be who we think they can be, so if they end up as a bust I could see it costing Guerin his job.

Why wouldn’t you be happy with that deal?

It seems fair for sure. What do you think Fiala gets for contract?

I’d guess 7.5 mil over 6 or 7 years. Maybe he wants 8 years? With Johnny expected to get 11 mil per or so, Fiala at 7.5 mil is a bargain.

Fiala is fresh off an 85 point season where he spent the year with offensive blackhole Freddy Gaudreau as his center. Yes, he did eventually get Boldy as his linemate, but an 85 point season without competent offensive linemates for 35 games is super impressive. We also know what Fiala is: a young, electric forward that can take over games, excels at zone entry, drives offense, and works his tail off every night. We don't know what type of player the 2nd overall pick will be. Maybe Cooley/Slafkovsky end up as really good players, maybe they don't. If they don't, we just wasted one of the best players in franchise history AND a 1st round pick for a bust. It's just a huge risk. I like Cooley a lot, he's probably my favorite player in the draft this year and definitely who I would take assuming Wright goes 1st, but I think it's likely he tops out as a 70 point player and not an 80 point player.

Bottom line, if I'm Guerin and offered 2 OA for Fiala and 24 OA, I probably take it since we've needed a 1C forever. But it's a really, really risky move.

It’s definitely risky, but the prospect of a 1C with 70 points is better IMO than 80 point wingers.

If I was BG, I’d take that shot to finally get the 1C we’ve lacked forever. It’s a big risk though but 2OA has a pretty high hit rate. Definitely not a guarantee though.

Typically I would jump at an opportunity for 2OA, but I think Wright/Cooly/Slaf would go in the 5-8 range in most other draft years and that's the problem I have with making a move for it. Again, I probably do it since we've needed a center so badly.

Agreed, but it doesn’t feel like NJD fans are treating 2OA with the same respect. I wonder if Fitz thinks like you? I imagine he does, the top end talent of this draft just isn’t like other drafts. I wonder if BG sees 7OA and a prospect greater value than 2OA and going up a D prospects and pick swap? Is Cooley/Wright that much better than those secondary centers?

I’m excited to see what BG ends up doing and what the return ends up being!