Looks like the season's going to open up soon, so time to update those trade blocks! Just when you thought I'd already gotten rid of anything that wasn't nailed down, I've rummaged around and still see that I've got some tradable assets. In my eyes, I've got 15 protects and only 14 slots. Maybe, if the rule passes, I could trade for a protection spot, but I'm just as good moving some of these assets, too.
As always, feel free to ask about anyone, but these are the guys you're most likely able to get.
Rasmus Sandin
Look at 23 year old Rasmus Sandin in that picture there in his Capitals jersey... because that's one of the most important things about him, he's now on the Caps and they were using him properly. In his 19 games with the Caps, Sandin had 15 points. That's a 65 point pace. "Oh, but Carlson was injured" True! But Carlson is also old, and he doesn't have an ear anymore, etc. etc. Sandin's a steady Eddie who can chip in a good chunk of points from the back end.
Looking for a full pick in either 24 or the 25 draft depending on how high.
Ilya Sorokin
Look, I don't know how many games my young Devon Levi's going to get for me next year, so my preference is to keep the goalie who has typically played a shitload of games and <checks notes> finished 2nd in Vezina voting the season before last. (He actually finished 8th in voting this season too). I know how y'all love Dobber and his rankings, but it's worth nothing that in the top 100 keeper goalies, Sorokin is ranked 5th (why yes, he is indeed ahead of Vasilevskiy by one spot, thanks for asking!) and is considered a Tier 1 guy. He won't come cheap, I'd like to keep him, but I'm also willing to move him. If you're contending and want or need a solid Tier 1 tendy, you know who to call.
So what's our friend Pronman got to say about Mercer? "Mercer isn't the flashiest player you'll ever see with this high a rating but he's become an important one for New Jersey. He can play center or wing and on both special teams. He's got a great motor. He wins a lot of battles despite not being the fastest. He gets to the net and creates a lot of offense around the high-percentage areas. Mercer has very good skill and vision and while he can make the high-difficulty plays, he excels more from keeping it simple and being good with his details. He is a top-six forward". He's 22 now. When he was 21 he scored 56 points in 82 games. This Devils team is going to be good, and it's going to be fun having someone on there playing with the likes of Jack Hughes. Sam will tell you that Krill Marchenko is WAY better than Dawson Mercer, but I don't agree, and you shouldn't either. If you want to add a great young player for cheap, gimme a ring.
