I don't fully understand why Veilleux was included in this deal? Was it to free up a contract for us to potentially add someone else before the deadline without us having to a send someone else back, i'm not entirely aware of our contract situation but we just shipped out three players and acquired one.
Veilleux's value is negligible (Not even a 7th), i just don't see his purpose in this trade at ALL.
Also, for all the whining about the extra year on the contract, I think it's a bonus. Yes, he'll be 36 next season, but Merrill isn't gonna be ready or on the big team anyway and guys like Urbom and Gelinas don't fit the PMD role really. So he serves as a bridge in a sense too, making sure the team has a certain kind of skillset and capability on defense.
I think once people get to see Zidlicky in action and what he can do to help this team, they will be a little bit calmer.
Larsson - Salvador
Greene - Zidlicky
Volchenkov - Tallinder
Fayne?
Edit: Even if Tallinder manages to come back-which I think he will-he won't be at 100%. He played terrible this year so I wouldn't be surprised to see him sit.
Perhaps, just seems a little arbitrary? I don't get what motivation Minnesota would have to take another contract back; especially when it's only a player of Veilleux's calibre. I just fail to believe they'd be demanding him back in this trade he has no value and it seems like it would be more in our interest to throw him in than for them to take him.
Side thought: trade maybe shows how highly the organization thinks of Taormina. He's probably lower than Foster on our depth chart, and certainly poses more value to Minny being young and not UFA. I feel like this trade gets done with Taormina and Palmieri by themselves, but we ponied up the 2nd to keep Tao and lose Foster.
Or... maybe how highly some other organization thinks of Taormina...
Side thought: trade maybe shows how highly the organization thinks of Taormina. He's probably lower than Foster on our depth chart, and certainly poses more value to Minny being young and not UFA. I feel like this trade gets done with Taormina and Palmieri by themselves, but we ponied up the 2nd to keep Tao and lose Foster.
Or... maybe how highly some other organization thinks of Taormina...
Well we have a hefty log jam on D, if the right deal for a forward comes along I could see Tao going.
It seems we gave a lot to get him, but probably had to, as I'm sure other teams were getting interested.
And maybe Lou had to throw in the extra bit to get Minny to take Foster off our hands.
We gave up a fair amount but we didnt give up anyone that important. I'm fine with this deal. Adding Zidlicky and getting Larsson and Zajac back is huge.
Side thought: trade maybe shows how highly the organization thinks of Taormina. He's probably lower than Foster on our depth chart, and certainly poses more value to Minny being young and not UFA. I feel like this trade gets done with Taormina and Palmieri by themselves, but we ponied up the 2nd to keep Tao and lose Foster.
Or... maybe how highly some other organization thinks of Taormina...
Quote:
Originally Posted by Scottyk9
Well we have a hefty log jam on D, if the right deal for a forward comes along I could see Tao going.
Both good points. He still could be a chip for a 3rd-4th line FWD/FO specialist type.
Honestly, I have not seen Zidlicky play a lot. Essentially, deal is Palmieri and a 2nd. Considering his situation and the way that Wild fans see him, that seems like a lot. With that said, I hope a change of scenery helps his play and proves that he is worth what we gave up.
Honestly, I have not seen Zidlicky play a lot. Essentially, deal is Palmieri and a 2nd. Considering his situation and the way that Wild fans see him, that seems like a lot. With that said, I hope a change of scenery helps his play and proves that he is worth what we gave up.
Leafs fans were pumped to get rid of Poni. Now look at him for us.
Change of scenery is sometimes all it takes for a player. Marek will be playing with two of his best friends. He is going to be good for us.
It's really just a 2nd. Palmieri doesn't have NHL speed or sense. He's terrible with puck possession and I'd say his acceleration is in the bottom 5% of players in the league. Doesn't have the ire to be an effective bottom-6 F, and doesn't have the tools to be a top-6 F.
We got better at even-strength, and probably better on the PP and PK. Good deal.
Not even Palmieri just a 2nd...the third line with Ponikarovsky and Bernier made Nick expendable.
Not only that Palmieri is an RFA. The devils would have had a real decision whether or not to sign him with all the contract they have and a much better move would be to try and keep Ponikarovsky. That would push Nick almost completely out of the picture.
Matt Halischuk (3rd liner)
Nick Palmieri (3rd line upside)
Rod Pelley (4th liner)
Stephan Veilleux (13th forward)
Mark Fraser (7th defenseman)
Joe Sova (undrafted long shot prospect)
NJ's 2nd 2011 (37th overall, G Magnus Hellberg)
NJ's 3rd 2013 (Conditional)
NJ's 4th 2012
NJ's 7th 2012
for:
Marek Zidlicky (best case = 2nd pairing defenseman, worst case = PP specialist who can play a regular shift)
Alexei Ponikarovsky (2nd/3rd line tweener that has chemistry with our guys and a scoring touch)
Seems like Lou has gotten rid of a bunch of garbage and gotten us
some good pieces in return. Especially if we re-sign Poni.
he has no value and it seems like it would be more in our interest to throw him in than for them to take him. 
