I thought about adding another pretty good Calgary player but I figured the 5.7 mil cap space would be more valuable to NJ to bring in pretty much any rental they desire to top off the roster... Likely a goal scoring forward.

For that return Andersson might even be on the table instead of Hanifin though Andersson wouldn't come with retention.

I know it's a crazy deal that almost certainly won't happen but it would immediately make NJ a top contender and it'd be a great way to kickstart the Flames retool too. But NJ probably balks at moving Nemec at all and without him Calgary wouldn't do it.

New Jersey obviously declines. They aren’t moving Nemec for 2 rentals and a 34 year old goalie. Then considering you’re asking for Mercer and a 1st as well is crazy. Value wise

Nemec >> Hanifin
Mercer >> Tanev
1st + Vanecek = Markstrom (maybe slightly more for Markstrom if there’s retention)

That doesn't even get Nemec

Probably Holtz instead of Mercer. But also not sure NJ pays for that much retention given they're fairly flexible under the cap. If they don't that Mercer/Holtz asset is not necessary. NJ probably not interested in trading Nemec, maybe if Hanifin comes with an extension they'd consider it,

I wonder. I got roasted for Marky 50% retained and Andersson for the same package but with Schmid instead of Vanecek, and a 2025 1st instead of a 2024 1st. I had team controlled Andersson and a 50% retained goalie, you have goalie no retention and two UFA d-men each 50% retained ...

My deal was meant more for the next few years, yours is more for this year alone. It's hard to see the Devils trade Mercer and Nemec for the goalie and rentals. It becomes the goalie and an impossible run this year, for all that.

Well the assumption is NJ would extend Hanifin. And if it's Andersson he's worth more and comes with a couple more years of term. But yeah I don't expect most NJ fans (especially one guy in particular) to ever admit anything that isn't a slam dunk landside win for NJ might be possible. Particularly not if it includes Nemec or even just Mercer.

It's the old incredibly biased fan take "all my team's prospects are superstars in waiting. Each one is better / more valuable than all your teams best proven players combined. But hey a late pick and this tiny little player with a few points playing university hockey is something we'd trade for your top goalie... If you throw in a 1st pair defender and you retain 50% on both"

Nemec would not be given up for this entire package by himself

Mercer, Nemec, and a first...