New Jersey Devils: 3 Trade Proposals For Matthew Tkachuk
The New Jersey Devils could use help on offense. They have some really good pieces, but it’s clear their offense is missing something on the wings. The Devils called up Alex Holtz to try and fix the power play, but for whatever reason, they don’t trust him enough to be on the top six. Holtz and Yegor Sharangovich had the least amount of minutes at 5v5 against the San Jose Sharks. Ironically, the Devils expected Holtz and Sharangovich to be the long-term solution as Jack Hughes wingers, but now that role is completely open.
The Devils could really use someone who could play on the wings right now. Andreas Johnsson and Jesper Bratt are playing much better, and they are playing with Nico Hischier right now. They are usually the best line on the ice on a nightly basis. Then there’s Dawson Mercer, who is trying to make plays all by himself. The Devils desperately need a wing, and it’s likely not coming from someone inside the organization unless Sharangovich magically figures out his problems.
This is where Matthew Tkachuk comes in. Yeah, this is going to cost a ton. The Calgary Flames are partially at fault for seeing Tkachuk’s name out there, because they likely offered him in a trade or at least floated his name to the Buffalo Sabres. Of course, that was to get Jack Eichel, who is a superstar center with four years left on his contract.
The Devils theoretically don’t have Jack Eichel available. They do, however, have a lot of amazing young talent that could help the Flames now and in the future. Is there a trade worth making? We talked about the five trade candidates available right now, so let’s take a look at what each actually costs. Let’s start with Tkachuk.
My goodness, this is a steep price, but the Calgary Flames don’t need to trade Matthew Tkachuk. He’s a restricted free agent at the end of the season, and despite his contract situation being extremely complicated, the Flames can trade him whenever. For the Devils to get him now, they have to blow the doors away on the Flames.
Alexander Holtz has everything to make himself a superstar winger, but he’s obviously not there yet. Matthew Tkachuk is already a superstar, and he brings something to the table that is special. There are a lot of goal scorers in this league. There aren’t a lot of people who play like Tkachuk. He plays like a young Brad Marchand without being utterly hateable.
Tkachuk has been close to a point-per-game player over the last four seasons. On top of that, he brings a toughness to the Flames that gives them an advantage every time his team is on the ice.
The contract is a problem, so that might be the one reason why the Flames would be willing to make this trade. Tkachuk is making a $9 million salary this year, but his cap hit is $7 million. That means the team has to give him a $9 million qualifying offer and any future contract starts with that. Holtz would be a hard loss, but would the Devils be willing to lose Holtz AND start a contract negotiation at $9 million per season?
It would be extremely hard for the Devils to get the Flames to budge on a trade for Matthew Tkachuk without adding a high-quality center in the trade. Is Michael McLeod a high-quality center? He sure isn’t having the best start to the season, but it’s the truth that he’s clearly an NHL center that would work in the right situation.
Does any situation sound better for Michael McLeod than Darryl Sutter’s system? He has the speed and tenacity to just go out there and play, but he also can stop the puck when needed. Lindy Ruff has used him on the penalty kill before. Sutter loves himself a skilled player who can kill penalties.
Miles Wood is another player that has been desirable around the league. Wood can skate as fast as anyone, and he showed last year he can score, too. Of course, he’s injured right now, but the Flames have banked enough points to look towards the playoffs.
Even with the 1st-round pick, this is a clear win for the Devils and only happens if Tkachuk makes it public he wants a trade. It’s just a way for the Flames to get a future asset while also making the NHL team younger.
This one hurts everyone involved. Well, the fanbases we mean. This one might actually be really good for both sides. The Flames would get the young, possibly superstar center they desire. The Devils would get a desired winger who can be dominant over the next decade. The Flames get a 20-year-old center who is dominant at playmaking already.
This would be a lot for the Devils to give up. Mercer just made the NHL, he’s going to make basically the minimum for three years, and he’s one of the few playmakers on the team right now.
This one might get both teams too puckered up to actually happen. The Devils don’t need to get a winger right now. The Flames don’t need to trade Tkachuk right now. If Tkachuk makes a stink about hearing his name in rumors in the Jack Eichel deal, things might change. However, right now the two teams aren’t in the right place to make this deal.
Next. Metropolitan Riveters Season Preview. dark
The reality is this is what it costs to get Tkachuk. An NHL ready superstar center who will be dominant for a decade. That is the only reason that Tkachuk’s name came up. It’s because he was on the table for Jack Eichel. They aren’t getting Tkachuk for two A- prospects and a draft pick. It costs Dawson Mercer, and honestly, that’s the wrong move for the Devils. Losing Mercer before he shows that superstar status is too big a price.