One of the first orders of business during any NHL offseason is for teams to address their own free agents. With free agency opening on July 13th, and the deadline for teams to qualify their own restricted free agents (RFAs) two days before that on July 11th, decisions will need to be made quickly. In total, the Devils have 16 players they need to make a decision on.
The Free Agents and The Rules
To do so, New Jersey has a projected $25,334,167 in cap space per CapFriendly. The below is a list of the 16 players:
Restricted Free Agents (6): Jesper Bratt (Arb.), Miles Wood (Arb.), Pavel Zacha (Arb.), Tyce Thompson (Arb.) Jesper Boqvist, Fabian Zetterlund
Unrestricted Free Agents (10): Mason Geertsen, Jimmy Vesey, Brian Flynn, Frederik Gauthier, Chase De Leo (G6), A.J. Greer (G6), P.K. Subban, Colton White (G6), Jon Gillies, Andrew Hammond
For those unfamiliar, some definitions are below:
- Unrestricted Free Agent (UFA): a player whose previous contract has expired and are free to negotiate and sign a contract with any team without any permission or restrictions once the free agency period commences.
- Group Six UFAs (G6): player who meets unique requirements which qualifies them to be a UFA.
- Restricted Free Agent (RFA): players who are free agents, without a contract, but still under team control.
- Qualifying Offer: when extended, it is a standard one-year contract which may be subject to arbitration. It gives the incumbent club the ability to match any offer sheet the RFA may receive when free agency opens.
- If the player rejects the qualifying offer, they remain an RFA and their rights are retained by the team.
- If a player does not receive a qualifying offer, the player becomes a UFA.
- if the player accepts the qualifying offer, they will in essence be signing a one-year contract that is calculated via the following:
- 110% of the base salary if the base salary is less than or equal to $660,000.
- 105% of the base salary if the base salary is greater than $660,000 or less than $1,000,000. However, this qualifying offer cannot exceed $1,000,000.
- 100% of the base salary if the base salary is equal to or greater than $1,000,000.
- Arbitration (Arb.): a tool available to settle some contract disputes. The player and team each propose a salary for the coming season and argue their cases at a hearing. The arbitrator, a neutral third party, then sets the player’s salary.
The UFAs
As the above shows, New Jersey has 10 UFAs. Of them, only four got extended NHL time this season. The two goalies, Jon Gillies and Andrew Hammond, also spent their share of time with the Devils.
The Top Internal UFA
Of the 10, by far the biggest of the bunch is P.K. Subban. Subban’s three seasons with New Jersey certainly overall was underwhelming. However, last season he bounced back and was a very effective bottom-pair presence. For context, Subban’s goals above replacement (GAR) rating jumped all the way from -10.1 and -1.3 in 2019-20 and 2020-21 to a 7.0 figure last season.
Subban’s next deal is being projected at three years with an average annual salary of $3,800,000. This is a relatively high projection and something in the mid-$2,000,000 range is much more realistic. Regardless, it seems unlikely Subban will be back next season. Though, for the right price would re-fill the Devils’ current bottom-pair, right-side role. The argument of re-signing Subban can be found here.
Last Season’s Depth
Mason Geertsen, Jimmy Vesey, and Colton White also both saw extended time with New Jersey this past season. Geertsen struggled in whatever limited time he saw in an enforcer role with New Jersey. The Devils currently do not have anyone to fulfill this role in Utica (AHL) for next season, and it appears the Devils and his representation have had discussion. If he is indeed brought back, he would be a fine presence for the Comets. But nothing more than that. So no Devils’ fans, do not fret, it is unlikely you see Geertsen at the NHL level with the Devils this season.
Vesey did very strong work on the penalty kill and had decent defensive impacts at five-on-five defensively. However, he was a black hole offensively. If the Devils are serious about contending next season, Vesey should not be involved. With no rumors of a return, it appears unlikely he is back with the Devils next season.
White has 196 AHL games under his belt with the Devils’ organization. He also spent most of his time in New Jersey this past season, appearing in 24 games. He surprisingly had solid one-ice impacts in his limited ice time (per the above). However, with the surplus of left-handed defenseman within the Devils’ organization, it appears unlikely White will be brought back. This unless the team wants to re-sign him and have him serve as the team’s seventh defenseman.
The Goaltending Disaster
Both Gillies and Hammond disappointed immensely with the Devils. Hammond ranked 98th in the NHL with a goals saved above expected (GSAx) of -9.57 in only seven games. Gillies, meanwhile, ranked 111th with a GSAx of -14.36. These rankings are among 118 qualified goaltenders this season. Given this, it would be extremely surprising to see either anywhere near the organization next season.
The Fighting Comets
The remaining of the group all consist of AHL regulars: Brian Flynn, Frederik Gauthier, Chase De Leo, and A.J. Greer. Of the group, it appears the Devils have interest in bringing Greer back. Rightfully so, as the former Islander who was brought over in the Kyle Palmieri-Travis Zajac trade dominated last season with Utica (AHL). The 25-year-old, six-foot-three power forward totaled 52 points in 53 regular season AHL games. He also scored six goals in five playoffs games. The Devils would be wise to bring him back on a two-way contract.
Gauthier and Flynn both played depth roles for Utica (AHL) this past season. It would be a tad surprising to see either return with the organization given the other pieces New Jersey has. Gauthier specifically, per Ryan Novozinsky of NJ.com, has not had any talks with the organization.
De Leo is an interesting one as he dominated with Utica (AHL) last season. The 26-year-old had 56 points in 55 regular season AHL games. He provided a nice veteran presence to an overall young group. As of now, there has been no reported discussion. However, if New Jersey wants to bring back some veteran scoring for Utica (AHL), he would be good piece to bring back. Also, check out this interesting article that involves De Leo.
The RFAs
Of the six New Jersey RFAs – Jesper Bratt (arbitration eligible), Miles Wood (arbitration eligible), Pavel Zacha (arbitration eligible), Tyce Thompson (arbitration eligible) Jesper Boqvist, Fabian Zetterlund – a few do bring some intrigue.
When and How Much?
Bratt’s situation is interesting in the sense of what type of deal is he going to get and how long will it take to get it done. The dynamic winger is likely to receive an extension in the $7,000,000 annually range. Furthermore, he has also been subject to some trade rumors. Which appears extremely outlandish but something to keep an eye on, nonetheless.
The Easy Decisions
The trio of Boqvist, Zetterlund, and Thompson will certainly be qualified and extensions (for those who do not just accept the qualifying offer) will most likely not be too large of an issue. Just a question of when it will happen.
The Interesting Duo
The two interesting RFAs to really monitor are Pavel Zacha and Miles Wood. Zacha’s days as a Devil seem to be numbered. There was some speculation that the Devils may not even qualify him which would be a bit silly. Why not qualify Zacha, then look to move him instead of giving him up for nothing? Easier said than done, but that route appears the most likely scenario with an organizational depth chart that currently appears as if Zacha will be an odd man out.
Miles Wood was limited to only three games last season after a hip injury required surgery. It would be silly for the Devils not to qualify Wood, but a new contract is an interesting topic given he did not play much at all last season. Would he accept the $3,5000,000 qualifying offer? Certainly will be interesting to see what happens there.
Overall, definitely expect four of the six pending Devils’ RFAs to be qualified. The other two, being Zacha and Wood, should be qualified as well as losing either for nothing would be a poor decision. This despite some prior speculation. Though, it appears very unlikely Zacha will be in the red and black next season, as he is probably the Devil most likely to be moved via trade this offseason.
Other Offseason Content:
- Preview:
- Draft Profiles:
- Free Agent Articles:
- Possible Trade Targets:
Analytics via Evolving Hockey. Definitions via CapFriendly.