New Jersey Devils: Next Few Games Could Decide Trade Deadline Fate (New Jersey Devils)

It's the biggest week of the season for the Devils.

New Jersey enters the home stretch of the season three points out of a wild card spot, and five points behind Philadelphia for the final divisional playoff spot.

Should the Devils fail to close the gap, or at least keep within the same distance, over their next four games before the trade deadline, we could see Lou Lamoriello sell off some of the team's veteran players.

Lamoriello has never been one to sell the house, but if it appears they won't make the playoffs, it would make sense to trade a couple veterans for draft picks, prospects and young players - especially because their forward cupboard in the system is pretty bare and they don't own a first round pick in the upcoming draft.

There's been rumblings that if Lamoriello has to sell, Jaromir Jagr, among others, could be on the move. While ideally you'd like to push for a playoff spot and retain Jagr in the offseason, because he's been excellent this year, it may be necessary to help point the organization in the right direction.

Are the Devils likely to be big sellers at the deadline? Probably not, as they likely will still be within a couple wins of a playoff spot and Lamoriello doesn't like giving up on a season, but if the gap widens it might need to be done.

The Devils have games against the Sharks and Islanders as well as the Blue Jackets and Red Wings, two teams they're chasing, before the deadline so there is opportunity to move up in the standings. Will they take advantage of that?

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