Having lost four consecutive games in regulation, it's become increasingly likely that the Devils will be sellers when the trade deadline rolls around.
The Devils are 12 points behind Boston for the final wild card spot - they have also played one more game - and at this point in the season it's nearly impossible to make up any more than five or six points.
Lou Lamoriello has publicly maintained he believes the Devils can still get in, but after losing both games in a back-to-back set reality is probably setting in.
While Lamoriello hasn't committed to moving any of his players, it's all but set in stone that Jaromir Jagr will be among those traded.
Jagr turns 43 today, and his best days are certainly behind him, but he's still a very good player, as this HERO chart illustrates.
Note: chart courtesy of ownthepuck.blogspot.ca.
TSN's Darren Dreger recently reported on insider trading that Jagr won't ask for a trade, but that he'd like to play for a contending team; preferably in the eastern conference.
Jagr was very happy playing under Pete DeBoer, as he averaged about 20 minutes per game and was producing on a pretty consistent basis. Since Lou Lamoriello and co. took over his minutes have dropped to about 16 minutes, and this has made him even more open to a deal from New Jersey.
Jagr recently told beat writers if he wasn't going to play big minutes, he may as well play moderate minutes for a Stanley Cup contender.
We know Jagr is open to a trade, and would prefer an Eastern Conference team.
Right off the top the team that stands out to me is Pittsburgh. They're still looking to acquire another top-9 forward, he's played there in the past, and the Pens have a lot of good young players/prospects they could offer up.
If I'm Lou Lamoriello I'd be targeting Beau Bennett.
The 2010 1st round pick has been used somewhat sparingly by the Pens, and has been a healthy scratch at times over the last few weeks.
He's a talented player, though, and his underlying numbers + rate stats suggest he'd be very good if given consistent minutes, which wouldn't be an issue in New Jersey.
He has had some injury issues, but he's a young NHL talent who could help jumpstart a rebuild, and give fans something to look forward to.
Now it's obviously not a sure thing Pittsburgh would move him, but given he's seeing limited minutes even when he plays, it's certainly worth looking into.
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