2023/2024 Trade Rumors and Speculation Thread

[btimbit]

Everything about Fitz's actions lately have just seemed really bush league

[Paulie Walnuts]

Originally Posted by InternationalVillager

I think he's a bad GM and should have been fired alongside Ruff.

He just signed an extension a month ago, and got promoted to President of Hockey Ops.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by ForeverFlameFan

Sure sounds like he wants to move on from Holtz.

Maybe, but as he stated, its not just Holtz, its a bunch of guys on that team.

They really are sloppy with the puck overall and REALLY leave a lot to be desired with their play away from it.

Not unusual for a youngish team like theirs to have these struggles though.

The goaltending just amplifies the poor play in front of them.

[InternationalVillager]

Devils don't want to sacrifice the future per their GM.

How are you going to keep all of these players on the team AND give them the appropriate roles to grow to their max potential as players?

Hughes
Hischier
Bratt
Meier
Toffoli
Mercer
Holtz
Palat

Hamilton
Hughes
Nemec
Haula

There is no way you can pay and retain all of them yet the Devils seem unwilling to trade their top young players even though they have OTHER top young players signed long term. It's a cluster####.

How are you going to give PP1 time to Hughes, Hamilton or Nemec. Each guy has the potential to be an Elite PP1 QB and you think the 2 that aren't going to be given that role are just going to accept it and it's not going to impact team chemistry?

Devils are going to be a victim of their own success until they move out some of these young pieces to acquire veteran players who are already established in the NHL and will have no problem playing their roles.

[memphusk]

Originally Posted by Paulie Walnuts

He just signed an extension a month ago, and got promoted to President of Hockey Ops.

Probationary period is over. Now New Jersey sees what they really have in Tom.

[genetic_phreek]

Bring on Holtz.

[Flames Fan, Ph.D.]

Originally Posted by ForeverFlameFan

https://twitter.com/user/status/1765038807009607865

Sure sounds like he wants to move on from Holtz.

Sounds like indirect confirmation that Conroy is not interested in Holtz.

[TOfan]

Originally Posted by Jiggy_12

This is not how you publicly talk about a player you are actively trying to build value for to trade to other teams.

This is the first time I have seen this GM speak and I’m shocked he would be this blunt right before the deadline.

That’s not a sharp decision

Not too sure I would agree.

Other teams have scouts, coaches, hockey executives. They see it too. There’s no secret here in fact it would probably look worse if Fitzgerald were to just blow smoke and talk about how happy the team is with Holtz.

Probably also explains why a deal hasn’t been completed yet. If I’m Conroy, Mercer has to be the target. If it ends up being Holtz, there had better be an unprotected 2024 1st + coming with him. Especially if there’s retention.

[The Fonz]

Does definitely give the vibe of anger towards Holtz - Fitz can't get the asset he covets because Holtz' hasn't played well enough this season.

[Incogneto]

Originally Posted by Flames Fan, Ph.D.

Sounds like indirect confirmation that Conroy is not interested in Holtz.

His description sounds like Kuzmenko V.2.

[transplant99]

Nemec a healthy scratch tonight....based on his play.

[activeStick]

Fitzgerald, in this Marek interview, says that Nemec is being scratched tonight, using it as an example of Green holding the players accountable for their play. Don't think it has anything to do with being traded.

He also says that he believes his team can get on a hot streak still to make a push for a playoff spot.

[Jiggy_12]

Originally Posted by TOfan

Not too sure I would agree.

Other teams have scouts, coaches, hockey executives. They see it too. There’s no secret here in fact it would probably look worse if Fitzgerald were to just blow smoke and talk about how happy the team is with Holtz.

Probably also explains why a deal hasn’t been completed yet. If I’m Conroy, Mercer has to be the target. If it ends up being Holtz, there had better be an unprotected 2024 1st + coming with him. Especially if there’s retention.

Probably.

But best case scenario these comments have neutral effect on Holtz’s value.

There is no benefit from saying these things about your player to the media 3 days before the TDL. It’s sloppy

[Igottago]

Originally Posted by btimbit

Everything about Fitz's actions lately have just seemed really bush league

Seems like he graduated from the Edmonton school of general management.

[btimbit]

I get the idea of wanting Holtz to round out his game more, but it's still impressive playing with guys like Nosek, Tierney and now MacDermid, and still be producing

[TheIronMaiden]

The GM trashing their own player in the media is a bad look.

[Sofa GM]

Originally Posted by Flames Fan, Ph.D.

Sounds like indirect confirmation that Conroy is not interested in Holtz.

Mercer makes too much sense here, that's the hangup. He is stuck behind Hughes and Hischer and that isn't going to change.

To CGY
Mercer

To NJ
Markstrom

or

To CGY
Mercer
2025 1st

To NJ
Markstrom (15% retained)

or

To CGY
Mercer
2024 1st or Seamus Casey

To NJ
Markstrom (20% retained)

[Sec214]

Originally Posted by Electricprez

I like the entertainment value of it, but it's all very Q-anon

Q-Anon. This is a new one. Consuming to much media I see.

[Calgary4LIfe]

Burke (rightfully) criticized Baertschi way more blunt and harsher than this.


Fitzgerald was still complimentary of Holtz. I don't watch New Jersey enough, but it seems that Holtz is just struggling being on the right side of the puck enough. That's all. Probably trying to make plays that worked great in junior, but are causing unnecessary turnovers. It just sounds like your average young player going through the growing pains of adjusting to the NHL. "Scoring 13 goals in.. 8 mins of ice" - that's a direct compliment and speaks to Holtz's talent.

[SuperMatt18]

We need Nemec's agent to get mad about his scratch and ask for a trade.

Then Fitz to get pissed off and deal Nemec for Markstrom.