New Jersey Devils: Alexander Holtz and Seamus Casey Perfect for Timo Meier Deal
With the Devils looking to acquire Timo Meier at the deadline, how could Alexander Holtz and Seamus Casey be a part of a package deal?
Currently, the Devils are in the middle of a great season. However, despite the fact they have won many games, they certainly need a lot of help if they want to keep staying at the top of the playoff race. With the trade deadline ending in a few days, Timo Meier is one name that is consistently popping up everywhere for the Devils.
Meier has had a stellar season with the Sharks, with 52 points so far. Meier would be the perfect addition to the Devils, who need significant help in scoring. However, Sharks GM Mike Grier is personally picky on which player is worth giving up Meier. While he wants someone like Dawson Mercer, there should be no way that Tom Fitzgerald should give him up in any deal. Instead, here are two great players that the Devils should give up instead of Mercer.
Alexander Holtz Needs a Change
The 2020 7th overall pick has had a down season. He’s only played 28 NHL games since coming over from Sweden three years ago. A large part of why he hasn’t stayed in the NHL was a lack of speed.
Holtz’s development has been a big issue so far. Because of his poor showcase, he hasn’t been getting much ice time even when he gets into games. When the Devils brought him back down to Utica in February, it was a clear sign that maybe he wasn’t good enough for the Devils’ system. However, a trade to San Jose may be the best change for him.
If the Devils trade Holtz to get Meier, the Sharks can better use Holtz’s playmaker abilities. The Sharks could perfect his skills. Holtz could get called up to play with guys like Tomas Hertl, Logan Couture, and Erik Karlsson, who is having his best year as a defenseman. The trade can be a win-win for both teams. The Devils acquire Meier, who could be a young scorer cornerstone, while the Sharks get a young playmaker who could be a franchise player.
Seamus Casey is a Solid All-Around Player
The Devils spent heavy NHL Draft capital on defensemen over the past few years. That has given them a plethora of defensive prospects to play with. Seamus Casey is undoubtedly one of the players who can get Meier in a deal.
Last year’s second-rounder has grown as a solid defensive piece for any team. Casey is playing with the University of Michigan where he has 19 points this year, which is the 2nd most points by a defenseman at Michigan behind Luke Hughes. What makes Casey such an elusive player is his skating ability. Whenever he is in the offensive zone or the opponent’s zone, he is always ready to make a great play with his skating and impact the game. So, with such a strong resume, why would the Devils ever trade him for Meier?
Next. Tomas Tatar & Dawson Mercer Will Be X-Factors. dark
The biggest reason for this is the Devils’ depth of defensemen. The two most notable players that come to mind of this are Hughes and Simon Nemec. Both players are considered key defensemen of the Devils’ future, and because both have so much talent that has been shown recently, the Devils would feel their more reliable pieces to keep around. Now Casey does have talent, and he could use it in San Jose to boost their defensive core. While he is a solid player, the Devils must trade away good prospects to get guys like Meier. It may be risky, but not too risky enough, where one side wins the deal.