Kobayashi Maru

Well there is the reason for the Pens to do it, but doesn't make a lot of sense for NJ without their cascading move. I'm guessing this is why a Miller trade has taken some time as there are many moving parts. Also curious if this is why Klingberg isn't signed. There are a lot of things potentially lining up after these moves. Or not, who knows at this point.....

I would do that deal in a heartbeat.

Marchand is close to a PPG average for his career, so that doesn't quite fit. Take a look at when Naslund and Bertuzzi hit or were near 100 points, what their next several years looked like. An 8.5M contract becomes an anchor if they follow their trajectory. Sedins are as unique as they come. Not comparing to them.

Why didn't he do that in the last few years of his prime. He had every opportunity to do that as well. He had a career year which is statistically above his average at 29. Sustaining that into his 30's is extremely unlikely. Do we know any other players who started becoming 100 point players at 30 when they weren't near that before?

I think Severson and Sharangovic would meet both of those needs and likely for the next 6-8 years. That allows us to also have better balance at the draft without any glaring needs for a while. Lekkerimaki and Klimovich are also likely ready in a couple years so Miller's new contract creates a logjam as well. Now, if we think he is a C, then we likely need to move Bo, but I don't think that is the right move either.

Miller is a career average of 58 points in 82 games. He is definitely taken the next level but that would bring him up to around 70-75 points tops. That is nothing to sneeze at, and if we didn't have a ton of young emerging wingers I would say keep him at all costs. Miller is a great part of the team but as soon as it's 8.5M x 7 we will all change our tune in 1-2 years which is not what this franchise needs. We need to capitalize on his value now to fill two vital organizational needs (RD for Hughes) and a young all around C. If we keep trotting out Schenn and Hamonic types for Hughes, he may start to get a bit agitated. There are so many factors why this type of deal needs to happen, and I think Management is telling us that to the level they can.

The only reason Severson wasn't talked about more is we likely all assumed he wasn't available. He likely wouldn't have been if they didn't just make a trade for Marino which changes things on their side. If we make that swap and get another young player (Hopefully a player like Sharangovic who can play C) it moves the needle on our team and we likely don't have to sign Severson to a 9M deal. We may be able to secure him for 6M x 5 after his contract is up. This would be huge as we have literally nothing on the right side in our system for years.

Miller did that once, so I wouldn't call him that. Even so, our direct adds of Mikheyev (50 points), Kuzmenko (40 points) and Severson (40 points), Sharangovich (40 points) in this case make up for the loss without even talking about Podkolkin, Petey, Hoglander improvements.

That takes him to only 31. He would likely have another 4 years beyond that of being very productive given the fact that he is a strong skater and very durable. I think it would likely give us 6 years of his current performance and another 2 of a slight drop. That is plenty of time for what we need. He is the perfect fit especially if we gain additional assets. I would be much more in favour of Severson than Marino who would also be a good pickup.

He's a first pairing guy on PK1, and just happens to be able to put up points on PP2 as well. Strong skating, some physicality and has a solid defensive game. He's exactly the right shot D we need, and not just any RD in my mind.

Severson secures that for 5 years so ample time to find the next RD. I think we still get a young player along with Severson as well.

Only needs to be one response in that thread and the answer is either just yes, or no, because we need Damon Severson.

Maybe our discussions have always revolved around Severson and NJ kept saying no as it would deplete their right side. This could just be a move to fill that need to turn back to us. To be honest, it makes too much sense for both sides.

I bet this is exactly it. I would get the sense that they know Severson will test the market, so they may as well make a move with a higher hope that Miller would sign with them.

Could you imagine if we trade Miller for Severson + (still thinking Sharangovic) and then move Myers, Pearson for cap relief to sign Klingberg? Hughes Severson OEL Klingberg Rathbone Schenn That would be D core that could potentially compete with the best out there.

Miller for Severson or Marino and Sharangovic. Gives us our right D and a 3C and potential mentor for Danila in a year or two.

We can get this one to 900 in no time! Let's go!

Did the Devils tweet some cute thing about John being a core piece for the future? If not, maybe this is just the starting point of our move taking shape.

They're right side to too deep now and if Nemec is ready they don't even have room for him. This is shaping up nicely as they actually have prospects as well. This feels like it will happen now.

Well, they would each only have to learn half of it so maybe they can accelerate

Dobson is a non-starter unless Hughes is part of the deal which is another non-starter. From the Islanders I still think this could make sense: Wahlstrom, Wilde and a 2nd for Miller Wilde could be a similar situation to Hamonic, but that would be for JR/PA to figure out.

Maybe we can give Motte the Lazar contract of 3 years x 1M. Only really room if Pearson, Dickinson and other forwards are moving out.

I ran my own list of relative value to the forward group and was pretty similar. Either way we have a very very solid forward group, that I think we can pull from to secure some RD needs if possible: Pettersson Miller Horvat Boeser Mikheyev Garland Podkolzin Kuzmenko Pearson Hoglander Lockwood Lazar Karlsson Dickinson Joshua Dowling Bolded will be the opening 13, with Joshua being the first call up so Karlsson doesn't get the back and forth from the AHL treatment. Similar with giving Rathbone dedicated time in the AHL before making a dedicated jump

Wow Petey 1.0 is now 6'6 230. Talk about a Franchise C. Really looking forward to this next season.

I agree, I think he just had a sophomore slump. For me he is part of the 3rd line with the ability to move up based on injuries or performance. He is valuable due to be a higher energy guy with some offence. Gives us different looks if we need against other teams. If I include Miller in the opening day lineup (Which I think he won't be there), and Pearson traded I see it as the following: Kuzmenko Pettersson Boeser Podkolzin Miller Garland Hoglander Horvat Mikheyev Dickinson Lazar Lockwood or if Garland is moved instead of Pearson: Kuzmenko Pettersson Boeser Podkolzin Miller Mikheyev Pearson Horvat Hoglander Dickinson Lazar Lockwood Either setup gives you a 2nd line that can play 1st line mins if needed, a 3rd line that can play 2nd line mins if needed, but not really a 4th line that should be playing 3rd line mins quite yet. Good depth regardless and Hogz is part of it regardless.