Who Should New Jersey Sign in the Offseason?
A busy offseason approaches for this Devils team, and big things are expected to improve this roster after an average season. With the salary cap increasing, New Jersey has a chance to go for it these next few seasons. To improve from their unfortunate first-round exit, more must be done compared to last year's offseason, much more. Tom Fitzgerald fixed the two obvious problems with goaltender Jacob Marström and defensemen Brett Pesce and Brenden Dillon. With goaltending and defense fixed, it leaves us to at last focus on adding some more skill to this Devils roster. Without unfortunate injuries, New Jersey is already thought of as a possible contenders, as long as players like Jack Hughes and Dougie Hamilton are fully healthy during the postseason. With young talent already acquired, a big move will surely strike fear into several teams in the Eastern Conference, but who to sign?
Throughout the previous seasons, plenty of options presented themselves, plenty of rumors speculated, though sadly, many are now deemed unlikely. The Montreal Canadiens had plenty of players to explore, though their recent playoff push makes it unlikely any key player will leave. The same can be said for the Ottawa Senators. Brady Tkachuk was the big one tossed around in trade rumors, and who can blame these teams? He’s just what any team needs in the postseason. St Louis had much to offer as well, but yet again they turned their season around and fought in the postseason. Even Anaheim claims they will have a chance next season to push for the postseason, leaving so few options for New Jersey to explore.
It’s no surprise that the Vancouver captain, Quinn Hughes, will be a major target, so we’ll move on quickly from him. Who else could be what the Devils need? The Buffalo Sabres may not be interested in moving on from JJ Peterka, but he’s still considered a candidate. How about they consider someone who looks to be ready to move on, Detroit captain Dylan Larkin. Larkin has had quite the situation with GM Steve Yzerman, even having much to say on who’s to blame for falling short of the postseason yet again. The way Larkin is thinking right now, who’s to say a trade isn’t possible? He could contribute quite a lot to New Jersey. Those lower in their lineup need to score more, so it could be possible they look into Jack Roslovic, a player who would make a difference in the bottom of the lineup. From what he’s done for Carolina this season, they could use him for production on the third or fourth line.
Apart from the beginning of the season, the depth just hasn’t been good and has very much held the Devils back in this average season. When a superstar like Jack Hughes gets taken out, players have to step up in a manner not thought possible. With the right moves this offseason, players low on the lineup could step up the way fans want them to, make things happen, and show the NHL this team is worthy. An offseason like this can easily be the determining factor of these next few postseason appearances for New Jersey, Tom Fitzgerald must not disappoint. Make the right moves, take the risks, stay healthy, and this is a cup-contending team for years.
