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The New Jersey Devils have had a busy off-season thus far.
They signed Brian Boyle in free agency, traded for Mirco Mueller, traded for Marcus Johansson and, most importantly, drafted Nico Hischier with the 1st overall pick in the draft.
There is still a lot of work to be done, though. The Devils need at least one top-4 defenseman and still (likely) have to trade Kovalchuk, who could potentially help them address their need on defense.
The Columbus Blue Jackets and New York Rangers, among others, have been mentioned most as potential landing spots but a new team has been thrown into the mix.
I get the logic behind trading Kovalchuk to an out of conference team like Chicago. The Devils want to start taking steps forward and giving a high-end winger to a team they could be competing for a playoff spot in the coming years may be counter-productive (depending on the return).
In saying that, I don't necessarily see a fit with the Blackhawks.
They are pressed right up against the cap and Kovalchuk is rumored to want at least $6-6.5 million per (as he should) on a multi-year contract. Even if the Blackhawks are able to stash Marian Hossa on LTIR, it'd be a tight fit.
On top of that, the Blackhawks don't have many attractive trade pieces. They're somewhat short on picks in 2018 (they own a 1st and 3rd inside the top four rounds) and future selections won't do much for the Devils given Chicago is a perennial playoff team. Waiting a couple years for a 1st, let's say, only to pick 24th overall isn't exactly ideal.
The Blackhawks themselves are lacking NHL defense (their top-3 is Duncan Keith, a quickly declining Brent Seabrook and Connor Murphy, who I am not high on) and they don't have much help on the way, either.
Realistically, if Kovalchuk goes to Chicago the best assets the Devils could pry are future draft picks or forward prospects. Alex DeBrincat is very attractive but I doubt the Blackhawks are willing to move him and, even so, the Devils finally have a deep crop of talented forwards on the way so he wouldn't address a need.
I've learned never to say never in hockey but I just don't think there's a deal to be made between the two sides. If Kovalchuk returns to the NHL (I think he will) and is traded, I don't think it'll be to Chicago.
Recent Posts
Breaking down the Marcus Johansson trade
The Devils aren't done
Devils sign Brian Boyle
Devils sign Keith Kinkaid to two-year extension
On Kovalchuk and the Blue Jackets
Reviewing the Devils' 2017 draft class
Devils select Nico Hischier with the 1st overall pick
Devils acquire Mirco Mueller
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