Wanna blog? Start your own hockey blog with My HockeyBuzz. Register for free today!
 

New Jersey Devils: What About Viktor Stalberg?

June 13, 2013, 12:32 PM ET [47 Comments]
Todd Cordell
New Jersey Devils Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
You can follow Todd on Twitter @ToddCordell!

NHL free agency is just a few weeks away, and regardless of which free agents the New Jersey Devils retain, there's no doubt they need to add more to their roster if they want to improve.

While most Devils fans want one of the sexy named potential free agents such as Jarome Iginla or Nathan Horton, the reality is the Devils probably aren't getting one.

What the Devils could do, though, is add depth and skill to their roster by going bargain hunting.

I looked through the list of potential free agents and one named that jumped out at me is Viktor Stalberg.

The Chicago Blackhawks have to re-sign several players like Bryan Bickell, Nick Leddy, Marcus Kruger, Ray Emery, etc. on top of Stalberg and have just $2 million in cap space to spend.

The reality is Stalberg is probably on the way out, and he likely won't cost too much to grab in free agency. This is just speculation, but a three-year deal worth $9 million or so would likely be enough to get his services.

Now why would the Devils want Stalberg? First of all, he's an extremely good skater. The Devils aren't an overly strong skating team, especially on the wing, so Stalberg would help fix that in a hurry. The Devils are also pretty shallow on the wing in general, and Stalberg has shown over the past couple years he can produce points.

The 6'3', 210lb winger scored nine times and tallied 23 points in 47 regular season games this year. He was also a 55% possession player.

Stalberg had a very impressive season last year, as well, when he recorded 22 goals and 43 points in 79 regular season games. He was 56.5% possession player, too, which ranked 3rd among all Blackhawks last year.

So Stalberg, 27, has 30+ goals and 66 points in his last 126 games. He can flat out fly, is a very good puck possession player, defensively responsible, and can score goals and put up points. Given that he'll cost approximately half of what Iginla or Horton will cost, it makes sense for the Devils to target Stalberg.

After all, Lou Lamoriello doesn't like getting into bidding wars and fortunately for the Devils, they probably won't have to get into too much of one for Stalberg.

**

In case you missed it, the Detroit Red Wings are expected to target David Clarkson.

I posted a scouting report on draft eligible forward, Zach Nastasiuk, at TheHockeyGuys..

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TheHockeyGuys.net

Email: [email protected]
Join the Discussion: » 47 Comments » Post New Comment
More from Todd Cordell
» Thank you
» On the Chayka rumors and finalists for the Devils' GM job
» Notes on quotes from Lindy Ruff's appearance on 31 Thoughts
» The New Jersey Devils may not have hired the coach they wanted
» Notes on quotes from Ruff, Fitzgerald, and Devils ownership