Don’t mortgage the future Fitzy!
With the New Jersey Devils armed with cap space and a group talented youth developing in Utica, GM Tom Fitzgerald has been aggressive this offseason by making key acquisitions to address the three deficiencies last season. Depth in goaltending, size and skill on the blueline, and a sniper for Nico Hischier or Jack Hughes to feed the puck to. Fitzgerald did just that by signing Dougie Hamilton, Tomas Tatar, and Jonathan Bernier, while trading for Ryan Graves and Christian Jaros. And Fitz did not give up any of his key highly touted prospects in the process.
The Devils are spending smart money with minimal risk. Yes, time will tell if they may have overpaid for Dougie Hamilton, but his signing puts potential free agents on notice that the Devils are ready to win with their young nucleus. Tatar and Bernier contract agreements carry a reasonable price for two years. The Devils money management on players allows them to have leverage to keep their youth developing in the farm system.
As for Tarasenko, the Devils are still in position to at the very least drive the price up on their division rivals rumored to be in on the sweepstakes. The Devils have the leverage here and there is no need to overpay, especially after signing Tatar. The Devils are way better off walking away than to take the risk on Tarasenko unless it is just for a late round draft pick and a mid level prospect.
Keep that talent pipeline flowing Fitzy. We will be rewarded with a dynasty soon enough.