Alrighty I stand corrected. I did think he played well during their playoff run though. Maybe the numbers say otherwise idk.

Laine has his warts, but he is a goal scorer. Personally I like the player. Problem is his deal is up at the end of the year and he has a 7.5 million dollar qualifying offer (so that's the floor of the negotiations). That is more than the captain Nico gets and probably puts a floor on Hughes' next deal. Not worth the assets to acquire and then the salary implications after.
- redmonsters

The problem is Laine's production is worth $7.5M How many other players have scored 44 goals in a season and what are they getting paid? Everyone can freak out, but paying Nico $ 7.5M is ridiculous. So I sure wouldn't pass on paying a great point producer a lot of money because we are overpaying someone else.

The price of acquisition is certainly a real issue.... But for a team dying for elite talent and a top line winger it would be a great add.

Laine has his warts, but he is a goal scorer. Personally I like the player. Problem is his deal is up at the end of the year and he has a 7.5 million dollar qualifying offer (so that's the floor of the negotiations). That is more than the captain Nico gets and probably puts a floor on Hughes' next deal. Not worth the assets to acquire and then the salary implications after.
- redmonsters

Dagnabit- yeah I was hopeful of 2-3 years at 6ish/per to walk him to ufa would be a fair middle ground to let him earn a bigger payout in his UFA day, but still be fairly compensated. If he's still asking for that kind of money after the year he had, no thanks. Add that ask to the compete level it shows me what his motivation may really be.

The problem is Laine's production is worth $7.5M How many other players have scored 44 goals in a season and what are they getting paid? Everyone can freak out, but paying Nico $ 7.5M is ridiculous. So I sure wouldn't pass on paying a great point producer a lot of money because we are overpaying someone else.

The price of acquisition is certainly a real issue.... But for a team dying for elite talent and a top line winger it would be a great add.
- Queenie_5_hole

I agree 100% Nico's contract is ridiculous.

The problem is Laine's production is worth $7.5M How many other players have scored 44 goals in a season and what are they getting paid? Everyone can freak out, but paying Nico $ 7.5M is ridiculous. So I sure wouldn't pass on paying a great point producer a lot of money because we are overpaying someone else.

The price of acquisition is certainly a real issue.... But for a team dying for elite talent and a top line winger it would be a great add.
- Queenie_5_hole

Laine scored 44 goals back in 17/18. His goals per game has declined every year since. $7.5 is a starting point, if you want to sign him long term you are looking at $8.5-9. And which player are you going to get, the 17/18 version or the more recent history. Not worth the risk (IMO) for the assets to give up and the salary commitment. If his goals per game increased every year and he recently scored 44 I could see otherwise, but they don't.

Laine scored 44 goals back in 17/18. His goals per game has declined every year since. $7.5 is a starting point, if you want to sign him long term you are looking at $8.5-9. And which player are you going to get, the 17/18 version or the more recent history. Not worth the risk (IMO) for the assets to give up and the salary commitment. If his goals per game increased every year and he recently scored 44 I could see otherwise, but they don't.
- redmonsters

Nico's put up 57 goals in 4 season and has been trending the wrong way also. No player is going to be perfect. You have to pick where you want to place your bets. Which is not to say you are wrong. Just saying.

What I am concerned about is that for a team that frankly stinks, we seem to be awfully particular about every potential addition.

Nico's put up 57 goals in 4 season and has been trending the wrong way also. No player is going to be perfect. You have to pick where you want to place your bets. Which is not to say you are wrong. Just saying.

What I am concerned about is that for a team that frankly stinks, we seem to be awfully particular about every potential addition.
- Queenie_5_hole

I hear you. I am as frustrated as every fan on this site. And yes I would also like to see ownership spend some money (they still charge us full price). It is just about asset and cap management. Fitz and crew are smarter than me. I don't have the answers, but share my views. And always appreciate hearing other views.

I hear you. I am as frustrated as every fan on this site. And yes I would also like to see ownership spend some money (they still charge us full price). It is just about asset and cap management. Fitz and crew are smarter than me. I don't have the answers, but share my views. And always appreciate hearing other views.
- redmonsters

I think we are actually pretty like minded on this and I appreciate your perspective. We both realize the situation we are in. It's just a matter of how do we fight our way out of this rebuild without taking shortcuts that might make things worse in the long term.

I don't know how smart Tommy F and Company are, but he certainly deserves a reasonable timeframe to build what he can.

So who do we choose with the 28th pick
- dmarsden2988

Good chance the #1 ranked goalie Sebastian Cossa could slide to 28th (currently ranked 22nd according to TSN). Goalies tend to slide quite often. Otherwise it looks like the 3rd highest ranked LW will still be available (Zachary L'Heureux), and C Dylan Duke will be in the mix.

Laine scored 44 goals back in 17/18. His goals per game has declined every year since. $7.5 is a starting point, if you want to sign him long term you are looking at $8.5-9. And which player are you going to get, the 17/18 version or the more recent history. Not worth the risk (IMO) for the assets to give up and the salary commitment. If his goals per game increased every year and he recently scored 44 I could see otherwise, but they don't.
- redmonsters

Laine is the worst player in the league when he is not scoring goals. He can't create space, his skating is weak, and his puck posession is atrocioius. While the Devs are in desperate need of a proven sniper, Laine is not the answer. This kid will be making 7M+ per season. His analytics are horrible and so is the basic eye test when you watch this kid without the puck. Just look at how he plays when not surrounded by Scheifele, and Wheeler feeding him on the PP. I think if the Devs do attempt to address their shooting deficiency, Hoffman comes to mind. I am not a huge fan of Hoffman, but his shooting % doesn't lie, and fits the Devs needs while likely going for a reasonable cap hit on minimal term.

Otherwise, hope that sniping prospects Foote and Mercer can make the jump, and Sharangovich (aka, Jeff Carter) is no slouch in the slot either. Palms return or Blues looking to move Tarasenko supposedly......

Since we all know ownership isn't spending money on a player like laine, with the fourth pick take dylan Guenther, he is the best pure scorer available, with the current state of the devils defense the only way the devils are going to win games is 6-5. Need a goal scorer to do this. With the 28th pick defenseman like scott morrow or sean behrens should be available.

Quick question: has Bastian been inked?

Quick question: has Bastian been inked?
- smellmyfinger

Better wait for the Woo confirmation on that.

No arguments here. I believe Fitz is smart. But Friedman is usually pretty good with his rumors. We shall see what gives way.
- redmonsters

Just because I am bored, don't shoot me. If Fitz is talking with Buffalo( and multiple sources have confirmed), and Friedman has heard correctly, could Fitz be targeting Dahlin? Buffalo gets a #4 OA plus a prospect, Devs get their #1 Dman (if he becomes what he is supposed to). Just putting pieces together. But would Devs be better off with Dahlin or with who they get at #4.

Just because I am bored, don't shoot me. If Fitz is talking with Buffalo( and multiple sources have confirmed), and Friedman has heard correctly, could Fitz be targeting Dahlin? Buffalo gets a #4 OA plus a prospect, Devs get their #1 Dman (if he becomes what he is supposed to). Just putting pieces together. But would Devs be better off with Dahlin or with who they get at #4.
- redmonsters

Zero chance Buffalo moves Dahlin, and if they were going to it would take more than just #4 to get him. But they won't. Once Eichel and Reinhart are gone, theyre clearly going to retool and rebuild from the defense out centered around Dahlin, eventually adding Samuelsson and Johnson to the mix as well as Power after this draft.

Zero chance Buffalo moves Dahlin, and if they were going to it would take more than just #4 to get him. But they won't. Once Eichel and Reinhart are gone, theyre clearly going to retool and rebuild from the defense out centered around Dahlin, eventually adding Samuelsson and Johnson to the mix as well as Power after this draft.
- vlongo4419

Yeah, no argument here. It was a thought after my second beer....

Better wait for the Woo confirmation on that.
- redmonsters

Wooooooooooooooooooooo

I don't want to alarm anyone, but rumor is Bastian has been inked.