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Dominos - Devils at the Deadline **Updated through the day

April 12, 2021, 10:33 AM ET [245 Comments]
Roger Mussa
New Jersey Devils Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
***Updates
Kulikov traded to the Oilers for a conditional pick in the 2022 draft. No details on condition as of yet.***Pending confirmation***

Vatanen claimed by the Dallas Stars... for nothing.



***
Today marks another day in the Devils rebuild.

Can the youngest team in the NHL get younger? Yes.

Vets Palmieri and Zajac were sent packing.

Kulikov sitting out with the typical "precautionary" reason is no secret he as likely slayed his last game in a Devils jersey. I really liked what he brought to this young Devils team and wish we could get a similar D back somehow.

Who now has a trade target on their back?

Vatanen - Not the same player we traded away last year. Hs has been inconsistent but I believe his head haste been in it but playing well of late. I do think a trade to a contender will work wonders.

Murray - another soon to be UFA, does someone take a stab at him as a depth D? Salary may be an issue and the Devils are willing, and have the room (over $10 million), to eat remaining salary depending on return. This is a good place to be.

Butcher - Finally playing a game last night, looked a tad shaky at times, stepping in for Kulikov. What becomes of Butcher and his 3.7Mil salary? He is still young, mobile but needs to regain a ton of confidence. He only moves with salary retained. By trading Kulikov and/or Vatanen, does this open the door for Butcher to play and reclaim his spot? Or does Matt Tennyson step back in?

Johnsson - Has not become the player I thought he'd be when the Devils traded for him. I was hoping for a top 6 player, we have seen a bottom six player the first half of the season. He has demonstrated some confidence and chemistry with Hughes and Bratt and now being one of the oldest players on the team perhaps more will come. I just done see him or his salary being attractive for any team unless a major deal happens.

Wood - The Blake Coleman of the current Devils. I am sure he is getting calls but as I said yesterday, I think he is more valuable to the Devils on the ice and in the locker room than anything we could get in this trade market. Please let's keep Wood unless we get blown away. I just don't see that happening.

PK Subban - After last night's highlight reel goal the question is; will he be a Devils after today? Is he playing for a trade or is he playing for this team and it's future?
I may be in the minority but I like PK on this team. Yes, he is a polarizing figure but I also think he can be a good veteran presence on this team and deserves the "A".

Picks - Along with salary flexibility, the Devils have 7 picks in the 2021 draft including two first rounders. Do they use picks as part of a package to bring on players that could step into this lineup? I certainly hope so as we don't need to many more "futures" but now and very near future players. I also think we could make a play for an injured player that will not help a contender (a Klefbom, Carlo, Gallagher, Beaulieu type of players comes to mind).

Who do you think moves?
Who do you think arrives?

Ill update this blog along the day.

Let the Dominos fall.....

Let's go Devils!

Truly yours, The Devils Advocate
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