add in tonights 2nd rounder and we'll send Stanley and retain 3m on Bucky

Helle going to highest bidder after this year. That's an all or nothing move for one year. Why not wait?

Better off going after someone like Carter hart who is both rfa and has 2 years left on contract. You most likely won't be able to afford re-signing mercer, hellebuyck and Schmidt as well as toffoli if he wants to stay

I just assumed that's what NJ was going or when they acquired Toffoli. In the near future they will need to extend Mercer and Hughes which will at upa bunch of their cap. While they have the cap space, I say they should at least make a run for it. They could be the best team in the Metro if not the entire eastern conference next year if they acquired a star goalie.

This would be an all in move, assuming that Schmid could take the reigns and they let Hellybuyk walk. Also, I think Tofolli is a 1 year add with how stacked their right side is. Mercer is playing on the 3rd line here lol.

Because they're otherwise extremely well positioned to be cup contenders next year. This is the kind of move you might make at the deadline for any other position, but goalie needs to be pretty much settled in the offseason.

If Hellebuyck is going to the highest bidder, the price for a one year acquisition should be well in NJs grasp without really hampering any of their future.

I understand the reasoning but they have plenty of space to resign Holtz, Mercer and Hughes next couple of years. Long term window will be open ... Just seems a bit much to me for a guy like Fitz, who (I believe) balances the Long term with short term.

Barring a career changing injury to part of their core, they are well positioned for several years. I suspect Holtz is ultimately who replaces Toffoli & is still seen as part of the core. I can't see him going for a rental ... If he busts at 3RW this year, playing alongside Palat & Haula, then sure, he's probably going the Sharangovich route.

Agree Toffoli is this years equivalent of Tatar, Severson & Graves ... He walks.

I think Bratt goes back to his natural left side now, opening a top 6 spot for Mercer ... Maybe
Meier - Hughes - Mercer
Bratt - Hischier - Toffoli
Palat - Haula - Holtz
Boqvist/Foote - McLeod - Bastian/Lazar

McLeod will take important faceoffs for Hughes line & skate off for Meier after possession established, unless Mercer or Hughes develop better skills at the dot, but that may take a couple of years.

Frankly I'm not convinced that trading for Hellebuyck (especially sans extension) would cost the Devils Holtz.

Also not married to the idea of them getting Hellebuyck specifically but they should still try to upgrade in goal, quite a few goalies that are better than Vanecek out there that would probably be available. Maybe they've got the kind of team defense that can make lesser goalies look good (like Vegas and Hill) but I look at their roster and I look at their coach and I don't think they're quite at that level of play in their own end. A bonafide starter makes them pretty bulletproof.

100%. By far biggest weakness. They need a good one.