Breaking down the New Jersey Devils ahead of NHL Trade Deadline Day.
Deadline approach
The New Jersey Devils will be: Buyers
Pending free agents
Unrestricted: 11 | Restricted: 14 | See full list
[teamleaders league=”nhl” team=”nj” season”2014″]
Devils overview
As of the Olympic break, the Devils were stuck at 13th in the East and two points out of a wildcard playoff spot. Their defensive chops and solid goaltending are what’s kept them from being complete bottom-feeders this season, and they rank a nice, shiny fifth in the league in goals against, with 2.36 per game. But that side of the ledger only does so much when you’re scoring just 2.29 goals per game as New Jersey is, relegating them to 27th in the league. Offence is something they badly, obviously need; the aged and awesome, 42-year-old Jaromir Jagr is their leading scorer by a fat margin, so something’s gotta give.
New Jersey’s net has been a time-share all season, but newcomer Cory Schneider has put up much better numbers than aging legend Martin Brodeur, the perpetual iron horse. And one of the most interesting trade storylines across the league will be Brodeur. The 42-year-old is in the final year of a two-year, $9-million contract, and while he’s practically the on-ice mascot for the team where he’s spent his entire career, he’s said he’ll waive his no-trade clause if they ask him to. But the move would have to help Brodeur, too, and he’d be looking for a playoff contender that would make heavy use of his services, with the Chicago Blackhawks, Nashville Predators and Minnesota Wild all mentioned as potential suitors. However it unfolds, a major changing of the guard is on the immediate horizon in Jersey, but Schneider is more than capable of stepping into the breach.
 |
||
 |
 |
 |
 |
||
 |
||
| Click player positions to see depth chart | ||
Areas to address
The Devils’ shut-down defence is woven into their modern DNA, but what they need now is simple, and glaring: someone (or ideally a few someones) to put the puck in the other net. Some of the problem isn’t due to a lack of personnel but rather a fistful of offensive stalwarts who appear to have hit a protracted slump at the same time, including Patrik Elias, Travis Zajac, Adam Henrique and Ryane Clowe. A left-winger to play with Zajac and Jagr would give the Devils a major offensive boost and a legitimate first line.
The obvious swap is Brodeur for an offensive-minded forward, possibly with a prospect or pick thrown in to sweeten the deal and address the aging Devils’ future needs. But since there are limited landing spots for goalies, particularly someone of Brodeur’s pedigree who won’t be content as a back-up, New Jersey’s buying and selling needs might not line up as neatly as that.
Possible trade targets
P.A. Parenteau, Colorado Avalanche
Mike Cammalleri, Calgary Flames
Olli Jokinen, Winnipeg Jets
