That fowler trade is a joke

Just wanted to take a look at what this team would look like if these were the only moves made.
1. Anaheim is losing a defenseman one way or another, so it makes sense to get a protected asset for it. (Quenneville may not be the right piece, but something along those lines, perhaps gets the job done)
2. Kovalchuk is likely doing a sign and trade, but here it looks like if he decides to call NJ home again.
3. Camm and DSP are the likely odd men out, but I have no idea if there is anywhere to move them to. If there is a trade involved, we will likely be getting no return for DSP, and eating money for Camm. If that's the case, add Bennett into the 23 man roster, and possibly an UFA.
4. This defense is a major upgrade, but having Lovejoy AND Merrill both on the roster isn't something that inspires a lot of hope.

@StammerTime, I was typing up the explanation. Fowler would likely demand more of a return, I was just using it as a piece. You'd probably have to add a pick into the mix, at a minimum

I would like to hear anyone else's thought of an accurate return, given the circumstances, too

First off Fowler isn't the one that's going to get traded? It will be Vatanen and Quenneville doesn't get it done, I seriously doubt that New Jersey has the pieces to get Cam Fowler without at least Pavel Zacha being part of the deal.

Zacha doesn't get you close to Fowler. McCleod is probably the best starting piece.


I love the consensus that ANA is definitely losing a defenseman. What makes more sense to you if you are ANA? Giving Vegas three 1st rounders to not take a defensman like Fowler/Vatanen or forward like Slifverberg OR taking a bunch of trash from another team? I'd rather give up unknown assets/futures to keep a win now team together than I would trade away a significant piece for trash like everyone posts on here

I don't disagree that Quenneville doesn't get it done straight up (probably not with a 2nd included, either). Anaheim, Minnesota and Nashville are examples of a handful of teams that are all in the same defensive abundance scenario, and about an equal amount of teams that are potential trade partners in return, unless more trades are lined up immediately following.

I more or less used that trade as a (pie in the sky) placeholder. A defensive upgrade for an asset that is too good for the minors, yet runs into a numbers issue in NJ.

The issue isn't so much that you'd have to give up all of that to keep him. The issue (for me, at least) is you have to give that up within your division. It's hard to say how much Vegas would demand to keep those players off the list, but do you really want to see your first rounders going to a team in your own division? And all of that, while you're somewhat hampered by the salary cap (unless a somewhat significant jump takes place this season). Some teams may take that chance, but I wouldn't be one to hand my #1's to a soon-to-be rival. I'd get the most return for my player in the opposite conference, if at all possible.

and again ... Kovy is not going to play for Devils ... !!! IF !!! he came back, Devils will trade him

I mentioned that in my comment, because I was too delayed to add the team explanation at the top. But yes, the almost certainty is a sign and trade