HEY, WHAT ABOUT NEW JERSEY?
By Lowetide
8 years agoMost Oilers fans (and surely all the bloggers) are casting about for solutions to Peter Chiarelli’s problems. It’s a tough gig, because solutions are not plentiful—but the New Jersey Devils may offer Edmonton an opportunity for one stop shopping.
WHY WOULD NJD TRADE VETERANS?
Scott Cullen of TSN is a frequent guest on the Lowdown and offers a strong reason for rebuilding via recent article about the Devils:
- Cullen:Part of the reason to take a long-term approach with this team is
that there simply isn’t reason to believe that one or two moves in the
offseason could push them into the playoffs. It’s time to re-stock the
cupboards and, to be more specific in New Jersey’s case, that means
adding skilled forwards because they don’t have many on the roster with
few, if any, in the pipeline. Source
The Devils are a wonky group for sure. Cory Schneider is a world class goalie, signed to $6M a year through 2022. They have a plethora of young, talented blue like Adam Larsson, Eric Gelinas, Damon Severson and Jon Merrill. Up front? The talent is old and plentiful:
- Patrik Elias is 39
- Dainius Zubrus is 36
- Michael Ryder is 35 (and UFA)
- Scott Gomez is 35 (and UFA)
- Martin Havlat is 34 (and UFA)
- Mike Cammalleri is 32 (and UFA)
- Ryan Clowe is 32
- Tuomo Ruutu is 32
- Jordin Tootoo is 32
That’s 9 forwards, three lines, all getting up there. Travis Zajac is 29 and Adam Henrique—The Kid!—is 24 years old. A team like Edmonton should be able to help New Jersey by sending youthful forwards to the Devils.
NEW JERSEY’S ASSETS
There are a few players who might fit with Edmonton’s attempt to turn north, and Schneider would be the top option. His .925 SP was good for No. 5 overall this season, and that’s the kind of spike Peter Chiarelli is no doubt looking for when upgrading the goaltending this summer.
Andy Greene is Mark Fayne’s former partner and they were very effective together as Devils, perhaps they could do it as Oilers. The Devils have a large group of kids coming up, and may require a veteran, but since they’re likely in a rebuilding phase perhaps Greene will come available. He’s signed for $5M through 2020.
WHAT WOULD THEY WANT?
IF the Devils decide to trade Schneider and or Greene—and that’s far from certain—a team like the Oilers would have to give up young NHL players, prospects and picks.Nail Yakupov? The pick at No. 16? Leon Draisaitl? It could be any number of picks and prospects required to acquire both men.
What would be a fair price for Schneider and Greene?
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