Quote:
Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe
Devils have already wasted assets on a goalie recently.
Markstrom seems to be a good fit for them. When you listen to Woodely talk about the Flames, it makes you feel like Markstrom is also a perfect fit for the Devils. Saros is probably a great fit for the Kings. Brodeur seems to see it the same away with the list that he released.
I think Jersey is a team that can go on a heater given their depth. If I was them, I would trade for Markstrom AND Tanev, though that's would be a rich package. Tampa is playing medioCcre right now, and also lost one of their best defencemen. Philiadelphia is not far out and is also not a team that has been doing exceptional either for a while. Both of those teams can be caught.
There are only a few reasons that make sense to me as to why Fitzgerald would just give up on this season:
1) Conroy's ask for Markstrom was egregiously high (which I doubt)
2) The Devils will want to wait until the off-season and pay up for Ullmark (or someone else that I can't think of that would be better)
I know that if I am Sweeney, I am going to try and trade Ullmark to the west - maybe the Kings. Maybe I would rather trade Ullmark to the dysfunctional Blue Jackets who will probably need a goalie next season too. I would be less inclined to trade him to a team that I would look at as a potential powerhouse in the Devils and who may oust my own team in the playoffs unless I got a much more enticing package out of them.
Acquiring Markstrom right now gives them a chance to make the playoffs this season, plus it gives them an opportunity to figure out their long-term plans (which may still be Daws or Schmid, who are both young and who Woodely both still likes FWIW, or to bring in another young goalie). it also allows the Devils to come out of the gates hard next season even if they don't make it this season. Wins at the start of the season are just as valuable as wins at the end of the season, and having Markstrom comfortable in New Jersey after having finished off the season there and acclimating to his teammates helps them start off on the right foot.
It is a good match both ways. I bet the deal gets done.
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Brent Krahn was on the Fan960 this week and he's not a big fan of Ullmark's because his style is to be a "blocker" goalie. That style works on a team like the Bruins but would it work on a team like the Devils that give up a lot of high-danger opportunities?