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Originally Posted by CliffFletcher
No evidence, no. And since we rarely get details of trades that were never completed, we’ll likely never known.
It stands to reason that Markstrom had more value to the Devils when he could push them into the playoffs than after the 2023-24 season was written off (3 playoffs > 2 playoffs). And by the offseason, with more goalies on the market, Conroy had to worry about the Devils going with a plan B option. The fact the Devils demanded and got salary retention in the summer, when it wasn’t a deal-breaker earlier, suggests the valuation and leverage shifted.
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I think the leverage shifted for sure, but I don't know if it changed the outcome. As you say, we will never know.
I don't believe that NJ ever put the 2024 1st on the table. I suspect the basics of the deal were largely the same - 2025 1st with some protection and a young player. I suspect NJD would have been more than happy to give up Holtz.
The element of retention is perhaps where Calgary had to give a little in the summer.
But I just don't see a scenario where NJD was offering something much better at the deadline because if they had - I think the deal would have been done.