The New Jersey Devils have a number of positions of want this deadline season. Because it has been documented by RG Media, activity is expected to heat up heading into Four Nations. As well as, there is an expectation that the salary cap will go up much more subsequent season, which may give the Devils a possibility to create cap area and add an even bigger identify.
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Tom Fitzgerald had a whole lot of work to do that previous summer season. He principally completed it by including measurement and toughness with Brenden Dillon, Brett Pesce, Stefan Noesen, and Johnathan Kovacevic. Fitzgerald additionally added a goalie in Jacob Markstrom. Nonetheless, purpose scoring remains to be a weak spot. So, the Devils are looking to add a purpose scorer, a middle, and a defenseman by the deadline.
What Are the Devils Trying For
Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic spoke with Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald, who outlined the kind of participant he was trying so as to add on the deadline. Fitzgerald spoke about somebody who may slot in correctly and make them a four-line workforce. He loves the group he has put collectively, so he doesn’t need to upset the room.
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The Devils may go down the highway of a rental or a participant with time period left on his contract. Fitzgerald would favor the latter however has at all times believed in pending free brokers. As soon as they arrive to New Jersey and see what they’re being offered on, each the state and the workforce, they’re open to re-signing.
Because it has been documented, GMs are at all times trying to improve their groups. However they must be the suitable items. The wage cap will play an element for any participant New Jersey provides, particularly with the gamers who have to re-sign in the summertime.
Devils Need To Add A Middle
As NHLRumors.com has documented, the Devils are not adding J.T. Miller. There may be a whole lot of 4 Nations smoke, as Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet and Dave Pagnotta of the Fourth Period have been informed the Devils had not contacted the Canucks about him. As Friedman talked about, there may be a whole lot of roster surgical procedure that must be executed, given Luke Hughes and Johnathan Kovacevic want extensions. So the place do the Devils go from right here?
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In a current episode of the Latest, Dave Pagnotta of the Fourth Interval stated the Devils continued to be linked to Jake Evans of the Montreal Canadiens, as NHLRumors.com has documented. Although Evans may need priced himself out of Montreal, and contract talks are ongoing, the suitable bundle may get him out.
Dennis Bernstein of the Fourth Period stated Evans is an ideal match for the Devils. Pierre LeBrun of TSN and the Athletic also linked Yanni Gourde of the Seattle Kraken and Scott Laughton of the Philadelphia Flyers to the Devils.
Devils Need a Defenseman
Kevin Weekes of ESPN: @NJDevils have had a very good season so far; I’m informed they’re occupied with doubtlessly including extra scoring and depth on D. #NJDevils #HockeyX — Kevin Weekes (@KevinWeekes) January 15, 2025
Fitzgerald loves so as to add to their positions of power. New Jersey wants a seventh defenseman. Nonetheless, Fitzgerald must do work with their crop of protection as nicely.
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Jimmy Murphy of RG Media reports that Fitzgerald and the Devils want to keep Kovocevic. Talks usually are not underway, however the plan is to get them going quickly.
So, the place does Simon Nemec slot in? The 2nd general decide from 2022 is within the AHL. He isn’t pleased being within the AHL however was requested to work on his defensive sport. Nonetheless, he is aware of a participant drafted that top can’t be within the minors one other season. The Devils have a David Jiricek scenario on their arms.
Weekes on NHL Network stated, “He (Nemec) needs to be on an NHL Roster. I don’t nnow if it’s on the Devils roster primarily based on the depth on the blueline.”
He’s an NHL defenseman. The Devils have depth to play with of their system. Luke Hughes additionally wants a brand new deal, which is able to have an effect on issues down the highway. Expectations have been that talks would occur within the new yr.
Devils Want an Offensive Punch
The Devils want a purpose scorer. It has been a difficulty for the reason that low season. The place are the Devils trying so as to add? Names like Kyle Palmieri and Brock Nelson have been thrown round as potential matches, however as RG Media reported, except the New York Islanders slip out of the race, GM Lou Lamoriello is just not promoting.
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So the place else may the Devils look? Possibly Taylor Corridor? However is that an possibility, given the historical past there? Might or not it’s Brock Boeser of the Canucks? Possibly Brandon Saad of the St. Louis Blues. Once more, there may be speculation there. But when they have been to commerce for a participant of that caliber, you think a participant like Simon Nemec or one in every of their different prospects goes to be in play.
It is going to be attention-grabbing to see what the New Jersey Devils do that commerce deadline season.
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