Believe it or not, the actual NHL trade deadline isn’t until tomorrow, March 3. As it relates to the New Jersey Devils, despite making the huge trade to land star forward Timo Meier, general manager Tom Fitzgerald has said the Devils are still active. Specifically, he mentioned that he wanted to work on getting “grittier” and build more “depth.” However, to do so, New Jersey would need to create more cap space – as Fitzgerald alluded to as well.
The Devils currently have $0 in cap space. As Fitzgerald mentioned in his interview, to even make a move, he would have to clear space. The Devils are nowhere near a spot where this wouldn’t be manageable, though, just something to keep in mind when looking at potential options
A few names that would help achieve this goal are Miles Wood ($3.2 million), Mackenzie Blackwood ($2.8 million), and/or the contract of Johnathan Bernier ($4.125 million). With the most likely being Wood, and the least likely being Blackwood.
Note, all the below players are listed on TSN’s Trade Bait List, meaning there is a possibility of them getting dealt.
The Options
Max Domi
Update: Domi was traded to Dallas.
Domi has grown into an offensive force for the Blackhawks this season. He has 18 goals and 49 points in 60 games. This is a 25 goal and 65 point pace over an 82 game schedule. His on-ice offensive metrics also check out very strong as he ranks in the league’s 74th percentile this season and in the league’s 69th percentile over the last three years.
There are concerns with Domi, though. He has been a huge liability defensively, owning one of the worst defensive impacts of any player in the NHL this season (ranks 527th of 527 forwards in defensive goals above replacement). Further, his offensive output is likely due for some regression based on his normal averages. Lastly, he would only be a rental and the price, especially given his hot stretch recently (14 points in last eight games), would likely be more than a typical rental.
Regardless, if the Devils could get him at the right price he may be a good fit. His cap hit of $3 million can potentially be cut in half, so buying $1.5 million in cap shouldn’t be too difficult for the Devils. Though, ultimately, at the perceived price, and the fact the Blackhawks might actually want to extend him, I’m not sure how likely a deal is.
A full breakdown of Domi can be found here.
Jordan Greenway
The Minnesota Wild forward checks off several boxes general manager Tom Fitzgerald described in his interview. He is young (26 years old), brings grit (six-foot-six, 231 pounds), and is controllable (under contract through 2024-25). Though, the one issue, and it’s a big one, is he has not been all that productive. Especially this year.
In 44 games, Greenway only has seven points. For context, his point rate per 60 minutes ranks 412th of 424 forwards who have played at least 250 minutes of five-on-five ice time. So, why would New Jersey even what to think about dealing for Greenway?
Throughout his career he has always had strong five-on-five defensive metrics – 61st percentile over the past three seasons. Additionally, this year is by far his worst year of his career when it comes to tangible production. He is more so a 30-point player with strong defensive impacts in most seasons.
I want to stress this, the only way the Devils should make a deal is if Minnesota retains salary. Greenway’s current cap hit of $3 million the next two-plus seasons is too high. Though, if the Devils can get that figure down below $2 million, Greenway would be a nice, physical bottom-line presence.
Nick Bjugstad
Update: Bjugstad was traded to Edmonton.
One of my favorite options, even pre-Timo Meier trade, is the 30-year-old center. Bjugstad is a big, physical (six-foot-six, 209 pounds) forward who has found a scoring touch this year. Despite going dry over the last six games (pointless), he is on pace for almost 20 goals this season. Further, his five-on-five impacts have been good, both offensively and defensively, as the below describes.
Bjugstad will supply you with solid bottom-six minutes, throwing his body around, and pinching in the occasional goal. Further, he only brings a cap hit of $900,000 and, given his recent drought, would likely only cost a mid-to-late round draft pick. He checks most of the boxes on general manager Tom Fitzgerald’s wish list, so given this, he should be one of their top targets.
Note, Bjugstad has been scratched recently for trade-related reasons, so a trade is all but certain. If you would like to read more in-depth analysis, you can find that here.
Warren Foegele
It is surprising to see 26-year-old winger on TSN’s Trade Bait List. Regardless, if he is available the Devils should definitely call Edmonton. He only has 17 points in 46 games played, but his on-ice impacts have been terrific as the above player card demonstrates. Further, he plays a physical style of hockey (on pace for 100-plus hits), fitting another aspect the Devils are looking for.
The former Carolina Hurricane is under team control as well. The Canadian is due $2.75 million the rest of this season and next year. This is a decently high figure given Foegele’s impacts up until this season. Though, nothing crazy, and would be an upgrade over someone like Miles Wood. Add in the fact he has 82 playoff games under his belt and would likely come cheap, he should be on the Devils’ radar.
Dmitry Kulikov
Since playing 38 games with the Devils in 2020, Kulikov has bounced around with three different teams. Most recently, he has skated in 61 games with the woeful Anaheim Ducks.
The 32-year-old put up terrific defensive numbers with the Devils/Oilers back in 2020-21 as his on-ice impacts ranked in the league’s 93rd percentile. He followed that up with a superb 2021-22 season in Minnesota (a 70th percentile ranking in overall on-ice metrics). Though, this year, on the bad Anaheim squad, his numbers have fallen off a cliff.
A change of scenery for the 14-year NHL veteran would do him well. Luckily for him, it is all but a forgone conclusion he will be dealt, given he has been being held out of games for trade-related reasons. After the trade, it would not be surprising if he regained the defensive form he found in 2020 and 2021 on a better team.
At the end of the day, the left-handed defenseman would certainly be a nice grab for the Devils. He’d like be an upgrade over Brendan Smith (if the prior form is achieved) and would provide some insurance in event of injury. Further, his price tag shouldn’t be more than a mid-round pick.
Nick Seeler
Probably the most surprising member of TSN’s Trade Bait List is the 29-year-old left-handed defenseman. He has come out of nowhere this year to post a season that is on par with the best defensive defensemen in the league. Namely, his 7.9 defensive goals above replacement ranks third among all defensemen to have play a game this season (286). Not to mention, he is doing it on a woeful Flyers team.
It is worth point out, he has been in a sheltered role. Regardless, he is only making $775,000 and under contract for next season. Seeler would also be an upgrade on pairing three over Brendan Smith. Lastly, he would give the Devils some stability heading in to next season when the team is due to lose Damon Severson and Ryan Graves.
Final Thoughts
It may not feel like it, but there is still time for the Devils to make moves given the deadline is not until tomorrow at 3:00 PM ET. New Jersey is in prime position to make a playoff run, and the team, as general manager Tom Fitzgerald explained, can certainly use some more depth. Any of the above options would bring exactly that.
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