Tatar had like zero success in Vegas so don't think they would want him back.

Nichuskin makes a lot of sense, and he’s only l the only guy on this list I’d attach the term “skill” to. I get why you want to add it but not sure there’s enough “skill” with most of these guys to qualify.

Most of these guys would be 3rd liners...or 3rd piece for top-line.
But all of these guys have skill (Gurianov's skating, Puljujarvi puck protection, Comtois shot, etc)

The attributes we need, more narrowly defined:

1. Net-front play...tipping, deflecting, screening, cleaning up rebounds.
2. Puck retrieval in corners...physical forechecker to put pressure dmen

Its what a Vegas user had said to me...so I'll take it.

(I would be more concerned about style of hockey in Vegas is less suitable for Tatar. Colorado would be much better fit).

Puljujarvi and Marchment both have incredible underlyings.

I find is absolutely bizarre how the only “heavy skill” names we’ve been linked to over the past year are Meier (not happening anymore), Crouse (bad analytics so likely won’t get approval- allegedly 3 groups sign off on all decisions), Anderson (same as Crouse but maybe Tom overrules), and Mikhayev (best/most likely option of the 4)

Personally I would try and grab Marchment, Pool, or Val, out of that group

I have seen some Meier, but I think that is residual speculation from the 2021 draft exchange.
And Anderson has been mostly recent speculation (will probably continue now that they acquired Dadonov.

I have seen linked to NJ
- Puljujarvi (popped up a bit at deadline)
- Kunin (a couple of years ago)

I have never seen linked to NJD
- Comtois
- Gurianov
- Crouse
- Mikhayev (your addition)

Some of the names I considered, but didn't make list
- Niederrater (has been linked at times to NJ)
- Kostin
- Kempe
- Hornqvist
- Kakko
- Kubalik

Some names that I am surprised have NOT been linked to NJ:
- Alex Tuch (I know the price will be high)
- Charlie Coyle
- James Greenway
- Blake Coleman (2.0)

I worry Marchment gets a much bigger contract than I'd be comfortable giving...but 3 x $2.75 give or take, I'm there.

His underlyings at the NHL level make me a lot more comfortable giving him what he wants to come here. He’s not the star of the free agent crop, but he would have a solid impact on the team if we miss out on a guy like Val

I have seen some ACGMs with him at $6m.
Anything $4m or below, 3 years or less

Eklund and Pagnotta linked us to Crouse

Bucci linked is with Ilya

Who linked us to Puljujarvi?

In order of preference, top being most preferred:

Nichushkin
Marchment
Puljujärvi
Roy

POWER GAP

Comtois
Gurianov

POWER GAP

Barbashev
Crouse
Kunin
Andersson

Eklund (yikes) and Pagnotta aren't great sources.

Hadn't seen Ilya link.

The Atheltic had talked in a couple of spots about Zacha/Puljujarvi exchange.

Eklund is bad but he weirdly broke a bunch of stuff at the TDL and Pagnotta is fine

And right. I remember now.

For me, all depends on price.

There are bound to be some cheap wingers available (always are)...just hope we get one.

Pagnotta is good for most teams. And I read him for league-wide stuff.

But he always seems off a bit on Devils stuff.

A few months ago another devils fan listed some of the NJD swings and misses of his.

That makes a bunch of sense. “Heavy skill” isn’t really descriptive IMO and I don’t think the attributes you described are what I would call heavy, competitive sure. But not heavy. Not sure I’d agree on whether or not the players really achieve that, but not worth arguing over that.

Right, but I’m not sold on what “skill” is. I think both are great play drivers but I don’t think you necessarily need skill to do that. This is the first time I saw the term heavy skill and I thought of guys like Buch, Landeskog, and Tkachuck.

Devils are a very young team, especially at forward.

We have a lot of perimeter/transition ability to gain possession, enter zone, create scoring chance.

We want to extend those possessions into multiple chances (either via greasy goals near crease or my winning the puck back in corners).

"Heavy Skill" is a term our GM uses to describe the elements needed to prolong offensive pressure or capitalize on scoring chances.

We have often been near bottom of league in tips, deflections, scoring on rebounds. Think, Chris Kreider. Or maybe JvR in his prime, or Patric Hornqvist on Pens.

We also have one line (Wood/Vesey -- McLeod -- Bastian) that forechecks well and cycles in o-zone.

Our best puck retrievers in top-9 (Hischier, Bratt, Mercer) are guys we want making/finishing plays. So we need a couple of guys to dig pucks out of corners.

Hope that helps.

Oh, 100%. I think I just get confused by the quick terminology because it’s so vague. Your descriptions were spot on.

Tatar had success in Vegas lmao. 6 points in 20 games and a playoff scratch for more than half the games. I guess we have very different definitions of success.