Pass on saros at that price

If Saros had three years…maybe two 1st rounders could be justified. But as a rental, he probably gets one late 1st.

Assume you would rather have a Brady Skjei in terms of stable defender that complements your current team and I’m curious what Mercer’s 8 year contract looks like?



At that price, I think Nashville keeps him and develops their first rounder as their backup. Having a vet 1A and and young 1B is an ideal situation

I think after this year anywhere between 5 mill-6.5 mill. I would hope we could get him closer to 5 which would be an absolute BARGAIN.

I think younger players are going to consider the cap spike and I believe most young players will ask for a premium rather than forego free agency when the cap is up. I don’t see Mercer agreeing to a below 6.5m deal because of it. I’m very curious to see how LA handles Quentin Byfield? They should absolutely want to sign him and I see that contract setting the market.

I do think Hughes and Nemec are people you have to earmark extensions for, which is why I do somewhat wonder how Mercer fits in your long term cap considerations

Could be a possibility but I’m hoping this down year reduces the cost. The one I’m most curious about is Swayman. His contract will tell a LOT about how the goalie market is looked at. Then a shesterkin extension as well. Wonder if he hits 10 mill. Because if he doesn’t, that is NOT a good sign for the value of goalies.

Byfield is gonna get a BAG. I assume somewhere in the 8s

I think he’s going to land at $7 million for 8 years with substantial no trade protection in the first years.

Byfield and Necas are probably the two players who will secure the most bag.

Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't Swayman ineligible for trade protections for a year or 2 because he'd still be an RFA? I'd assume a guarantee of no trade would be in place and it would be a horrible look for an organization to ship a player out right before his NTC activates. But I think you're pretty spot on

NTC as soon as he’s eligible. I think you are right in year 1 based on the PLD contract

On a side note, my assumption is the top 10 pick this year is more valuable to NJD than Dawson Mercer? Am I wrong there?

Also, any chance you try to resign Toffoli in the offseason?

I'm starting to wonder if Saaros is just a product of a system in Nashville.

Mercer>>>24 1st round pick>=Holtz>Casey>2025 1st>Gritysuk>Bahl=2025 2nd>Daws>=Schmid>=Vilen>=Stillman=3rd>=foote>+hatakka

Approximate values in my eyes

I think toffoli and us were way off when it came to term. Maybe if he has a Tatar like free agency where he can't find the term he likes he'll come back, but I think some team will give him 30+ mill total, whatever that looks like in terms of years and AAV. Additionally I'd like us to keep timo at RW, and if we bring back Toff that's Meier, Holtz, Bratt, Toff, and maybe mercer as guys on RW, and we're back to sticking timo out of place on the left.

That’s clear. I’m curious if the Mercer and 2024 pick are swapped because of long term contract commitments. I think Nemec and Hughes are going to be break bank extensions

I imagine if need be Mercer could be moved quite easily down the line. We won't have to deal with trade protections for the next 4 years. Palat may be dumped or LTIR'd at some point down the line, maybe dougie or marino moved.

We should be able to fit them both in at 16-17 mill combined hopefully on their next deals. Luke is eligible for an extension this offseason and I'd lock him in ASAP before he explodes.