Every year almost every team around the league gives a handful of players professional-tryout contracts, otherwise know as “PTOs.” Sometimes, those PTOs turn into real contracts for the players, other times poor preseason performances result in a cut. In the past decade, the Devils have had a few players turn PTOs into contracts and spots in the lineup. Lee Stempniak, Drew Stafford, and Jimmy Vesey all started out on PTOs.
The Devils don’t have many holes, but it wouldn’t hurt to have reinforcements in case certain players aren’t quite ready. So, let’s look at a few players that could be decent fits on a PTO at Devils’ camp.
Note, this article was written before the signings of Keith Kinkaid (two-way deal) and Max Willman (PTO).
Mason Shaw
Shaw was a fourth-round pick by the Minnesota Wild back in 2017. He worked his way up the depth chart playing for the Wild’s AHL affiliate for five years. From 2020-2022, for the Iowa Wild, Shaw played in 92 games and put up 27 goals and 47 assists for 74 points. That totals out to a 0.8 points per game which is a solid number.
His first full NHL season was last year where he scored seven goals and 17 total points in 59 games. In fourth line minutes, Shaw put up great defensive numbers, finishing in the 87th percentile among forwards in even strength defensive wins above replacement (WAR) according to JFresh Hockey.
At just 24 years old, Shaw did not receive a qualifying offer from the Wild and became an unrestricted free agent. Even though the Devils have players of similar archetypes in their bottom-six, more depth in case of injuries is always a good thing. As well, at his age Shaw could spend some time in the AHL if needed.
Paul Stastny
Paul Stastny has made his way around the league, spending multiple seasons with the Colorado Avalanche, St. Louis Blues, Winnipeg Jets, and Vegas Golden Knights. His most recent stop was with the Carolina Hurricanes last season. Paul’s father, Peter Stastny, spent parts of four seasons with the Devils at the tail end of his career, so his family is definitely familiar with the organization.
Paul could be an interesting candidate due to his offense. During his 17 seasons in the league, there have only been five where he hasn’t been on pace for 20 goals over 82 games. Obviously, he’s much less likely to put up those numbers in a bottom-six role, but even at his age he’s still producing to some degree. Stastny was in the 87th percentile of even strength offensive WAR according to JFresh’s model.
In a Devils bottom-six filled with plenty of penalty kill and defensive specialists. It might make sense to bring in a guy on a tryout who has more of an offensive prowess.
Ethan Bear
Ethan Bear is an interesting story. Once a highly-touted young defenseman in Edmonton, he was unceremoniously traded to the Hurricanes in 2021. After a rough year with the Canes, Bear was flipped to Vancouver along with Lane Peterson for just a fifth-round pick.
With the Canucks’ Bear did what he does best, returning to form as one of Vancouver’s better defenseman last season. Once again, however, Bear was let go, this time by having his contract non-tendered as a restricted free agent. Over the last three seasons, Bear ranks in the 64th percentile of WAR among all defenseman.
The Devils do have a lot of players vying for roster spots on their blueline this year. However, it wouldn’t hurt to at least throw a PTO the way of Bear. Of all the candidates brought up in this article, Bear is the biggest stretch in terms of needs. It’s a personal thing, I just really like Ethan Bear and would love to see him with the Devils.
Jaroslav Halak
The only goaltender on this list, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Jaro Halak in a Devils’ Jersey come training camp. Earlier this summer, Devils’ general manager Tom Fitzgerald mentioned that he wouldn’t mind having Schmid in the AHL to develop for a little longer. Halak on a PTO is a low-risk, high-reward way to address that.
If Halak disappoints during camp and Schmid is good, you cut Halak and roll with Vanacek and Schmid. If Halak looks good and Schmid struggles you send Akira down and roll with Halak as a veteran backup.
Halak has only had one season in his 17 year NHL career where his save percentage was below .900. Although his numbers have fallen off over the past three seasons, Jaro Halak has been a consistent force. He could definitely be a good option as a veteran presence in net at training camp.