Am I right in thinking the Devils are now without a forward who has ever won a playoff round?

That’s good. No one to tell the kids what they’re missing (just make sure no one talks to Old Man Subban).

Much worse players than Palms have gotten 1st + before, we'll have to see how the market shakes out in the end but would have at least like to squeeze some better conditions on the Zajac pick if we're basically giving him to them and we're taking money on both.
- rmdevil313

Sure but its also a flat cap world and a heavy buyers market, on top of Palms is having a down season by his standards and is a pending UFA. Would i have preferred a prospect who is pro ready? Sure, but he is also just a rental so getting a 1st is fine. Lou was probably the only GM who was offering a 1st.

Todd had a nice write up on it if you want to check it out, and why this is a good return considering all the circumstances. Worth the read if you're not happy with the return

Sure but its also a flat cap world and a heavy buyers market, on top of Palms is having a down season by his standards and is a pending UFA. Would i have preferred a prospect who is pro ready? Sure, but he is also just a rental so getting a 1st is fine. Lou was probably the only GM who was offering a 1st.

Todd had a nice write up on it if you want to check it out, and why this is a good return considering all the circumstances. Worth the read if you're not happy with the return
- vlongo4419

The way this trade market looks I think it’s a good trade for both teams. Definitely a buyers market.

The way this trade market looks I think it’s a good trade for both teams. Definitely a buyers market.
- Cptmjl

Agreed. I think people just had their expectations on a return way too high. Seems like everybody writing about it likes it for both sides. Also, Scott Wheeler and Dom from the Athletic gave the Devils a B+ and the Isles an A- for the trade in their recap.

I'm happy with the return and I'm glad they both went to the Isles (where I believe Zajac would only waive his NTC for). Islanders had to do this trade and they did very well by getting two quality veteran players who are quality people also. As for the Devils, they got their first they wanted (when everybody in hockey was saying nobody is trading first round picks this year because of the flat cap and expansion draft). Palms and Zajac are both pure rentals at this point so what do you really expect in return plus they were not coming back to NJ next year. This trade also opens up two spots for younger players to get playing time this year. It will help for next year if these kids get some playing time now. I also see probably 1 if not 2 of either Murray, Vatanen and Kulikov being moved out so some of our younger defenseman get some playing time also. We are in a rebuild so 30+ UFA's won't do us any good pass the trade deadline. Good trade for both sides

I see the devils being a good team in a year or two. They have a good young core and with all this cap space for next season they could go after whoever they want.

Any chance Goose can get the Devils a 3rd round pick? I'll even take a 4th.

Sure but its also a flat cap world and a heavy buyers market, on top of Palms is having a down season by his standards and is a pending UFA. Would i have preferred a prospect who is pro ready? Sure, but he is also just a rental so getting a 1st is fine. Lou was probably the only GM who was offering a 1st.

Todd had a nice write up on it if you want to check it out, and why this is a good return considering all the circumstances. Worth the read if you're not happy with the return
- vlongo4419

Its too early to say that no other team would offer a first. I also disagree that his down season hurt his value a lot, he's still the second best forward available (unless I am missing someone?) and teams are always looking for more scoring at the deadline. My issue with this trade is that we seemed to bend over backwards to help the isles make this trade, we gave them Zajac, we retained salary on both, we took back contracts 49 and 50, and we only got a SCF condition? I could understand if other players started to move and Fitz didn't want to hold on too long, but I definitely feel like he left something on the table when throwing Zajac in on top of it.

Its too early to say that no other team would offer a first. I also disagree that his down season hurt his value a lot, he's still the second best forward available (unless I am missing someone?) and teams are always looking for more scoring at the deadline. My issue with this trade is that we seemed to bend over backwards to help the isles make this trade, we gave them Zajac, we retained salary on both, we took back contracts 49 and 50, and we only got a SCF condition? I could understand if other players started to move and Fitz didn't want to hold on too long, but I definitely feel like he left something on the table when throwing Zajac in on top of it.
- rmdevil313

I mean if you look into all the reports, i'd say its pretty likely. Its been widely reported that nobody is willing to give up a 1st for Hall, which if we consider Hall the better rental(he is), that would mean Palms wouldnt get one either. Kypreos reported earlier that the Devils were only getting offers of a 2nd and 3rd or 4th or a 2nd and another piece/prospect for Palms and that Fitz was holding out to get a 1st. It was also reported today before this trade by multiple sources, including Dreger, that the Leafs and Bruins werent willing to pay the asking price for Palmieri, which seemed to have been a 1st.

So everything considered and looking at all the reports, its pretty likely that the Isles are the only team willing to give up a 1st, and I think we only got the 1st out of them because of Zajac being thrown in. Its logical to think that we dont get a 1st if its just Palms alone, and as i said earlier i prefer getting a 1st over a 2nd or 3rd and Bellows which was widely rumored

We'll see what happens the rest of the deadline, but it shouldnt shock me if this is the only 1st round pick moved. Maybe Hall gets one now because of this deal? We'll see

In case anybody was wondering, Todd wrote about the return and he approves of it. He said Fitz did fairly well everything considered
- vlongo4419

+1 on Todd’s write up. Definitely sums everything up without throwing in emotional attachment to players.

I dont understand why people get upset about a "late first round pick". Do people expect the Senators or red wings to trade their top 5 picks for some rental?

Zajac had a no move clause, he's 35, ufa and unlikely to fetch a large return based on all of that.

1st for Palmieri seems reasonable. Sucks that this is the new player market but thats how it goes.

You are entitled to your opinion, but to call me delusional is offensive and wrong. State you opinion, which i disagree with, and keep the petty name calling to yourself.
- redmonsters

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, yours just happens to be wrong and stupid lolololol

I dont understand why people get upset about a "late first round pick". Do people expect the Senators or red wings to trade their top 5 picks for some rental?

Zajac had a no move clause, he's 35, ufa and unlikely to fetch a large return based on all of that.

1st for Palmieri seems reasonable. Sucks that this is the new player market but thats how it goes.
- Aaron_85

Bingo. A first for 2 pure rentals. Who knows the islanders could flop first round and NJ could pick mid round.

I don’t think people remember the prospect pipeline when the rebuild started. I believe the best prospect at the start was John Quinnville.

Bingo. A first for 2 pure rentals. Who knows the islanders could flop first round and NJ could pick mid round.

I don’t think people remember the prospect pipeline when the rebuild started. I believe the best prospect at the start was John Quinnville.
- K-dizzle

The reality is Shero and Fitzy have been doing really well in the trade department and we are now a bit conditioned to expect very generous returns.

We didn’t even give up a first to get Palms...and we flipped him for that as a rental. Not saying we should be blown away by that because he’s a more established player. Just saying it for perspective.

I do wish we had worked out to get a legit prospect instead of the 4th rounder and two pretty useless guys we got. Even if we had to give the Islanders something back (like Merkley or a mid round pick). But Lou has been trading away assets and probably was not willing to go any further unless we took Kamorov or something we didn’t want. Bottom line is we Know Fritzy is smart and if this is what he could get you have to trust that this was likely the best the market was offering. AND it’s not a bad return. Just not as good as we might unrealistically expect.

Now our owners can happily have the lowest payroll in the league and try selling us fans some magic beans and ‘hope’ for the future. At least we do have a nice prospect pipeline and players who are developing along with a extra draft picks.

If you guys haven’t figured it out, this trade was more about fitz trying to get those two (and Greene) a cup than getting the best return for NJ

If you believe Kyle was getting tons of interest, surely there was a better deal without eating salary. And zajac has been with NJ forever, fitz respects that so much. He wasn’t going to ask to move him just to eat his salary and ask for a late pick.

If you guys haven’t figured it out, this trade was more about fitz trying to get those two (and Greene) a cup than getting the best return for NJ

If you believe Kyle was getting tons of interest, surely there was a better deal without eating salary. And zajac has been with NJ forever, fitz respects that so much. He wasn’t going to ask to move him just to eat his salary and ask for a late pick.
- Leniwm1

Yeah I'm sure if someone offered a mid round 1st and a decent prospect Fitz would have declined it to send the boys to a contender. Lol

If you guys haven’t figured it out, this trade was more about fitz trying to get those two (and Greene) a cup than getting the best return for NJ

If you believe Kyle was getting tons of interest, surely there was a better deal without eating salary. And zajac has been with NJ forever, fitz respects that so much. He wasn’t going to ask to move him just to eat his salary and ask for a late pick.
- Leniwm1

I didnt think of that. Makes some sense.

I know there was retained money but without it there is no deal. Most teams who want a rental aren't going to have the space to take on full salary so then you sit on your UFAs and you get nothing.

I give credit to GMs who make deals. Its tough to do. A lot of moving parts.

Yeah I'm sure if someone offered a mid round 1st and a decent prospect Fitz would have declined it to send the boys to a contender. Lol
- Thunder_daddy

"I hope the pick we get is the 32nd pick," said Fitzgerald. "I hope both of these gentlemen win the Cup."

Doesn’t sound like a GM that is too worried about the return he got.

Brodeur stopped 47 of 50 shots last night

"I hope the pick we get is the 32nd pick," said Fitzgerald. "I hope both of these gentlemen win the Cup."

Doesn’t sound like a GM that is too worried about the return he got.
- Leniwm1

If there was a better offer and he didn't take it he should be fired. But that obviously didn't happen.

If there was a better offer and he didn't take it he should be fired. But that obviously didn't happen.
- Thunder_daddy

Lou gave us a 2nd rounder for Andy.
Now Fitz repaid the favor.

Im perfectly happy with this, we got a 1st rounder for two guys that will be FA in a few months AND our boys have a legit shot at finally winning the cup together. Cory, Andy, and these two. If you are a Devil and not excited for those 4 then I do not know what to say.

I think this trade will make most Devil fans root for Isles this year - and thats pretty cool in my book.

I like the deal for the devils!
- Aaron_85

Me too. People seem quite critical of the Devs management for this deal, and I think they are a little short sighted.

Palms had a MNMC and was only getting traded to an approved team. He was not traded against his will, nor was Zajac. I think both Veterans appreciate this oppurtunity and Dev's fans may have to cheer for a rival as, along with Greene, we have our best Vets or recent history poised for a solid playoff run.

The 1st rd pick and some non-NHL players in return was not a bad return. People think we should have gotten more, similar to Coleman/Hall returns from last deadline. It just isn't the case this year, and I feel the remaining deadline deals will show a reduced trade value for Hall/Savard/Hoffman as well. How could this be considered a bad trade for the Devs? Keeping these 2 vets for 18 games to close out the year is more valuable than a 1st? No chance.

Zajac squashed that trade last year, as he wanted to get his 1000 games solely as a Dev. I respect that. Palms owes us absolutely nothing, tho I do hope to see him back in some red threads next season.

All the best to two of my favorite Devs. Isles will be a massive threat in the east with Trotz at the helm, and some solid additions.

If there was a better offer and he didn't take it he should be fired. But that obviously didn't happen.
- Thunder_daddy

With Zajac becoming a 3/4C, and Palms having one of his worst seasons in almost a decade with 0.5ppg, I think a 1st was more than fair. And absolutely Fitz conferred with them about their trade options. Both have modified/non-movement clauses, and having a GM that respects his players speaks volumes to potential UFA's looking for a new home down the road. Nobody wants a trigger happy GM who treats respected veterans like cattle at auction.

Fitz did great on this deal in my opinion. Just wait until we can compare our return with the other returns about to happen in this league. I think everyone will see that the trade market is very weak.

With Zajac becoming a 3/4C, and Palms having one of his worst seasons in almost a decade with 0.5ppg, I think a 1st was more than fair. And absolutely Fitz conferred with them about their trade options. Both have modified/non-movement clauses, and having a GM that respects his players speaks volumes to potential UFA's looking for a new home down the road. Nobody wants a trigger happy GM who treats respected veterans like cattle at auction.

Fitz did great on this deal in my opinion. Just wait until we can compare our return with the other returns about to happen in this league. I think everyone will see that the trade market is very weak.
- bikeguy99

What 4C produces at a 45 point pace?

I wonder what tonight's line up will be

Sharo zacha bratt
Kouk hughes gusev
Thompson McLeod wood
Merkley maltsev johnsson