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As we get closer to NHL free agency, which is now about a month and a half away, I get more and more questions from fans asking who the New Jersey Devils could target in free agency.
Today, I'll take a look at someone who realistically could end up a Devil.
That someone is St. Louis Blues forward, Andy McDonald.
The veteran winger/center isn't expected to be re-signed by the Blues, according to Blues beat writer Jeremy Rutherford.
Rutherford had this to say in a recent column: "McDonald, who had no points in the playoffs, will be an unrestricted free agent this summer and isn’t expected to be re-signed."
Jeff Gordon, another Blues columnist for St. Louis Today, also noted that the Blues want to go in a different direction and letting McDonald walk will save cap and make room for Vladimir Tarasenko to play more minutes.
There are a few reasons as to why the Devils could target McDonald and why he might be a good fit in New Jersey should he be available:
1. He's versatile
In today's NHL, versatile players who can play multiple positions and play in different scenarios are so important. McDonald is one of those players. McDonald can play the wing but he's also an average-to-above average centerman, as his recent success in the playoffs indicates. McDonald took 30 faceoffs against the LA Kings in the first round and won 21 of them (70%). He won 48% during the regular season this year and won 56% last year so he can take faceoffs and handle himself pretty well if he's needed.
A case can be made that McDonald is a better left winger than center, though. When you're on the wing you don't have as much responsibilty in the defensive zone which allows McDonald to get the jump on plays and help him use his playmaking ability and vision to create offense. He's also a very strong skater and playing on the wing allows him to utilize his speed more.
Essentially what I'm saying is whether you slot him in at center or left wing, he'll be an effective player.
2. He'd help the power play
Over the past couple seasons the Devils power play has really struggled. Partly because of a lack of goal scorers, partly because there's not a 2nd significant threat on the point to play alongside Ilya Kovalchuk, and partly because they lack a true playmaker. While McDonald won't be much help with regards to the first two issues, he is a very good playmaker and someone who sees the ice like he does could be a big boost to the power play.
McDonald recorded 3.95 points per 60 minutes of 5 vs. 4 hockey for the Blues this past season, which ranked 7th on a strong Blues team. That said, his 3.95 points per 60 minutes during 5 vs. 4 play would have ranked 1st among Devils' players.
McDonald is by no means a shooter but he's not afraid to put the puck on net, either. He averaged 8.57 shots per 60 minutes of 5 vs. 4 which ranked ahead of several Devils players such as Patrik Elias, Travis Zajac, Steve Bernier, etc. That's not a bad total for a traditional playmaker.
3. He could help Kovalchuk at even strength
Kovalchuk had four even strength goals this season. Four. He scored a lot short handed and on the power play so I'll give him credit there. That said, a player of his calibre should be scoring a lot more during 5 vs. 5 play even though he missed 11 games.
Kovalchuk struggled with Zajac and Adam Henrique at even strength. He was a little better with Andrei Loktionov, but his numbers should still be better. Given the Devils depth at center, should McDonald ever become a Devil he could be the opposite side playmaking winger Kovalchuk needs. McDonald has over 300 assists in 685 career games so he has a track record of setting people up. Given he's a proven playmaker, he could be exactly what the Devils need for Kovalchuk to get going. If McDonald is signed and can play that role, Pete DeBoer might not have to alter Kovalchuk's linemates every period and they might actually be able to get some stability and familiarity on the top line. Wouldn't that be something?
4. He's a veteran
Let's face it: Lou Lamoriello loves veterans. Lamoriello likes to win hockey games and proven veterans help do that. Therefore, McDonald will get a look if he's available.
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