2023/2024 Trade Rumors and Speculation Thread

[TheScorpion]

Holtz is a very boom-bust player to me. I think he's gotten a raw deal under Ruff in NJ. But it feels like even if he pans out, he tracks to be similar to Sharangovich — good, but not great.

I'd much prefer Mercer, if possible.

[Paulie Walnuts]

I would be ok with a 1st and Holtz for Markstrom as well. For retention Seamoss sounds like an intriguing prospect.

Just Lundell isn’t enough for Hanifin has to have a pick as well rental or not. That’s Floridas problem when they get him to get him signed.

I think Tanev gets us a 1st.

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

Mercer and Lundell (maybe a pipe dream but let's dream for the sake of it) could then allow you to deal Kadri while his stock is high too. Do him a solid if he wants to be on a competitive team and get more assets in return.

[howard_the_duck]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

A couple of you keep saying this. There are two GMs involved in the negotiations, and they both strongly disagree with you.

Strongly? What is out there that suggests this?

[howard_the_duck]

Originally Posted by TrentCrimmIndependent

Mercer and Lundell (maybe a pipe dream but let's dream for the sake of it) could then allow you to deal Kadri while his stock is high too. Do him a solid if he wants to be on a competitive team and get more assets in return.

Seems to me Mercer happens in a bigger deal that includes Hanifin, unless some major movement on the package from NJ side.

So it would appear Lundell OR Mercer. I think getting one, let alone both, is a stretch.

[D as in David]

Originally Posted by TrentCrimmIndependent

Too much blind faith/trust in their regular guests.

The problem with frank is he always has something to say, when with trade talks there are stalls on negotiations or quiet days or weeks with nothing to report. But he always comes up with something, which is what leads me to believe he's full of crap more than half of the time.

The guys here like sec have their days with nothing to report. Then they'll chime in with something every so often at an unexpected time. The trickling in of that information seems more realistic to me than Frank getting memos with juicy tidbits from several team in time for his morning spot every single day. IRL it doesn't work that way.

The overconfidence in his delivery is also lame. If he's not in the room where these things are happening he should not be that sure of himself. Even Friedman is a lot better at leaving room for doubt and not reporting things prematurely.

Not to mention, Seravalli's gif/meme is anywhere from weak to non-existent.

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

Originally Posted by Paulie Walnuts

I would be ok with a 1st and Holtz for Markstrom as well. For retention Seamoss sounds like an intriguing prospect.

Just Lundell isn’t enough for Hanifin has to have a pick as well rental or not. That’s Floridas problem when they get him to get him signed.

I think Tanev gets us a 1st.

I'll pass on the seamoss. The rest sounds good though.

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

Originally Posted by howard_the_duck

Seems to me Mercer happens in a bigger deal that includes Hanifin.

So it would appear Lundell OR Mercer. I think getting one, let alone both, is a stretch.

I wouldn't count out one of them.

Lundell feels like a higher probability than Mercer if what Dissentowner says is true.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by howard_the_duck

Strongly? What is out there that suggests this?

This comment is based on Dissentowner's post. If, as he claims, the deal broke down because of Mercer and not retention, then Conroy wouldn't accept Holtz as a replacement, and Fitz wouldn't give up Mercer in Holtz' stead.

For the deal to have gotten as far as it did, and then fail on this point (instead of bridging the gap somehow), then both GMs consider the difference to be significant

[topfiverecords]

Originally Posted by albertGQ

If Lundell is off the table, what can we get from the Panthers for a signed Hanifin? 2026 first rounder for sure, but what else can they add? Any intriguing prospects? I assume they'll have to send a roster player back as well to make the cap work, even if we retain 50% of Hanifin?

Tkachuk

[DoubleK]

I'm not surprised that the Devils haven't made a deal for a goaltender if both Nashville and Calgary insist on Mercer.

Dangle Holtz +1st and see who bites first. Mercer without a 1st is too high a price to pay IMO.

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

Holtz is a very boom-bust player to me. I think he's gotten a raw deal under Ruff in NJ. But it feels like even if he pans out, he tracks to be similar to Sharangovich — good, but not great.

I'd much prefer Mercer, if possible.

Wouldn't boom-bust imply that he becomes a great player or fizzles out entirely?

[TheScorpion]

The Devils have a huge opportunity here to make a trade for a goalie and go on a run, especially with Detroit showing warning signs of potential regression. I'm actually amazed that they've let this much of the season go to waste without doing anything. Reminds me of a couple Flames seasons during the Gaudreau era. NJ has one of the stronger forward cores in the East and they're doing nothing with it.

[TheScorpion]

Originally Posted by TrentCrimmIndependent

Wouldn't boom-bust imply that he becomes a great player or fizzles out entirely?

Yes, I should've been more precise. I think he is a boom-bust player but the "boom" side of that equation offers a relatively low ceiling compared to other players of that archetype. Sorta like Baertschi.

He's fine but I think Mercer is a way better bet. Idk.

[Moneyhands23]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

Yes, I should've been more precise. I think he is a boom-bust player but the "boom" side of that equation offers a relatively low ceiling compared to other players of that archetype. Sorta like Baertschi.

He's fine but I think Mercer is a way better bet. Idk.

Crazy that he was a top 10 draft pick, plays in the NHL and you think he is boom or bust. I'd say the bust part is already out of the way.

[kyuss275]

Originally Posted by Bonded

Don’t love if it’s Florida or bust for Hanifin because I don’t think they give up Lundell. I’d take Holtz and a 1st for Markstrom as well.

It’s not Florida or bust for hanifin. He can still be traded to many teams as a rental

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

Yes, I should've been more precise. I think he is a boom-bust player but the "boom" side of that equation offers a relatively low ceiling compared to other players of that archetype. Sorta like Baertschi.

He's fine but I think Mercer is a way better bet. Idk.

That's fair to say since Mercer has shown a lot more in his first 3 seasons and can play a more valuable position if needed. Holtz wasn't too far off of Holloway territory until he recently started popping in some goals. But he's still tracking for modest totals while coming up on 100 games played.

Not sure the Flames need to trade markstrom just to add more wingers with question marks. I'd be willing to accept Holtz + 1st for the two darts to throw at the board but I think Conroy should let NJ force his hand with an offer that addresses their needs more.

[Bingo]

I prefer Mercer to Holtz, but I'd take either with a first to get the deal done and avoid Markstrom lifting Calgary to a middle third finish next year.

If Conroy believes the summer market will be stronger (could have heard as much from other GMs) then fine.

But the risk of the return getting weaker and the impact on that Montreal 1st rounder has me wanting it done now.

[TheScorpion]

Originally Posted by Moneyhands23

Crazy that he was a top 10 draft pick, plays in the NHL and you think he is boom or bust. I'd say the bust part is already out of the way.

Yes and no. Playing in the NHL at age 22 is a good sign and he's scored a few goals but there's a world where he pans out more like Filip Zadina, who is a very similar player with similar strengths and pedigree. That said, I'm not inherently opposed to taking a flier on Holtz and I think he could turn out pretty well, too, but I think Mercer is a much better bet.

[SuperMatt18]

It's so tough to say...both guys were top 20 picks just 3.5 seasons ago.

Mercer has profiled better than Holtz post draft but I would argue both guys probably have similar ceilings offensively, with Mercer being more of a sure thing to hit that potential at this point.

Tough part is Mercer is already contributing to the team, where Holtz is bit more expendable off the current roster but I think that matters less for the Flames who aren't contending this year.

If Markstrom with retention got you Holtz + 1st + Casey (maybe with Vanecek) then I'd still make that move in a second. I don't see a team beating that package, Mercer included or not.