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Although the NHL off-season may not begin until October, nothing is holding the New Jersey Devils back from making trades...with the six other teams that missed the 24-team playoff.
That’s right. Tom Fitzgerald – or anybody else wearing the GM hat – is free to make deals with the Anaheim Ducks, Buffalo Sabres, Detroit Red Wings, Los Angeles Kings, Ottawa Senators, and San Jose Sharks. Not in months. Not in weeks. Not in days. Right now.
Whether anything actually happens remains to be seen – they’re not perfect matches, and waiting until more teams are free to dance could be beneficial – but it’s somewhat exciting the door is at least open.
With that in mind, I thought it’d be fun to go team-by-team and share some thoughts on each as a potential match.
Anaheim
The Ducks are a lot like the Devils. There is a promising core in place (Rickard Rakell, John Gibson, Hampus Lindholm) and they have plenty of picks to add more young pieces to the mix. They’re more likely to sell off big contracts or veteran players than anything else, which probably doesn’t make them a great match for the Devils.
If they were ever to open the door on trading Lindholm, one of the steadiest defenders in the game, I imagine the Devils would be at the front of the line for his services. He’d address a massive need, he’s young enough (26) to fit into the team’s long-term plans, and the Devils have plenty of assets stocked they could use to peak Anaheim’s interest. One can dream.
Buffalo
I get asked a lot about trading for Rasmus Ristolainen. I don’t see it happening, and I hope it never does. He is the definition of an empty calorie point producer. He gets put in top tier situations and produces as a result but he is not remotely efficient. Ristolainen makes a lot of questionable decisions with and without the puck. His defensive game also flat out sucks, for lack of a better term, and he carries a pretty hefty cap hit. I would have next to no interest in this player and I imagine the analytically inclined Devils feel the same way.
If the Devils and Sabres were to conveen on a trade involving a defender, Lawrence Pilut makes more sense. He is young, mobile, his underlying numbers are very encouraging, and he just hasn’t gotten the opportunity he deserves in Buffalo. Pilut appears headed to the KHL due to a lack of usage, however, I believe there is an out-clause in his contract. Pilut is a case where the Devils could potentially add a solid player at a position of need without giving up much in the process.
From Buffalo’s perspective, they’ve long been after more center depth behind Jack Eichel. I could see them willing to bet on a player like Pavel Zacha in the right deal.
Detroit
They’re not trading Dylan Larkin, they’re not trading Anthony Mantha, they’re not trading Filip Hronek, and I’m not sure there is anything else of worth on their roster. They are in a full-fledged rebuild and, realistically speaking, have nothing to offer New Jersey as a potential trade partner.
Los Angeles
If the Devils are to cash in some of their picks and prospects for roster players, they want pieces that can help in the short and long term. The Kings’ top players are old and very expensive so they’re not exactly a match made in heaven.
Unless the Kings are willing to part with underrated 25-year-old defenders Sean Walker or Matt Roy, I don’t see a fit here.
Ottawa
The Senators own three 1st rounders and four 2nd rounders. The Devils also (potentially) own three 1st rounders. Depending how the draft lottery shakes out, I could see one of these teams wanting to move up to get Player X and using an extra pick or two to make it happen.
If not that, the Senators might be willing to part with excess picks (not 1st rounders) to take a stab on a young, cost controlled player like Zacha or Miles Wood.
San Jose
Kevin Labanc. That’s the name to watch here, in my opinion. The Sharks are looking at ~15 million in cap space with 10 roster spots to fill. It’s possible they can work out a longer term deal and make everything fit. But Labanc will (rightfully) be looking for a big raise after taking it on the chin and playing for $1 million this past season to help the team out. If the Sharks don’t like what they hear from Labanc’s camp, they could look to parlay him into young players/picks to help with the retool.
The Devils need more offensive pop, Labanc is a local kid, and the Devils have the money, picks, and prospects to make everyone happy.
Labanc could help fill a void on the right side should Kyle Palmieri depart over the next year (as much as I love him, it may not make sense to commit big money and term to a rugged player who turns 31 during Year 1 of a new deal).
info via CapFriendly.com
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