Tried to list out all the potential UFAs that the Devils should go after (seems like they’ll go being tougher to play/heavy against the boards route which is what a lot of these players are)
I’ve seen Bennetts name thrown around as a potential FLA cap casualty but that would probably too rich for us but one could hope, right?
Something out of Moneyball “recreate him in the aggregate” quote is the last guy at the bottom Nico Sturm. Very good on faceoffs and decent 4th liner with size to replace some elements with what McLeod brought.
by NYDevilsFan
41 Comments
Jake Guentzel
I would add Pesce as a possible UFA on defense
Ryan Lomberg and Dakota Joshua to the bottom six list as well.
Also wouldn’t sleep on Clarke and Foote earning spots in the bottom 6
Would love to get Bennett
I assume Tarasenko is gonna be expensive if he goes anywhere
Get me Yakov Trenin. Dude plays a [tough and fearless](https://youtu.be/3Wc9xT_u3sA?si=4NbSdV1NDPce5DIY) game ([along with some finishing skills](https://youtu.be/6lVDrmNL8hc?si=p4qUNJQOfYBzKQXK)) that’s exactly what Fitzgerald would want in his bottom 6. Loved watching him play in Nashville before he got traded to Colorado.
I’d really like Zadorov and Duclair. Also, I’d probably pencil in Lazar as the 4th line center. Hes good on draws and think he’s better there than wing.
My free agent targets would be.Skeji,Peshe,Roslovic,Stevenson,Trenin Carrier,Hakanpaa
He’ll probably get a contract from another team that’s too much for what he is, but I’d really like to see Dakota Joshua in our bottom six.
Bennett would be an absolute home run, but I doubt he ends up in Jersey. Joshua or Jeannot would be a solid boost of grit to the bottom six. Nolan Foote is probably going to get his shot at a long term roster spot.
Defense is a little more tricky. Zadorov would be a great catch, but I can also see Fitz going for a guy like McNabb to anchor the bottom pairing. Best case scenario imo is Shea Theodore.
Don’t see a star goalie on there. Oh, wait…
Martinhook would be great for bottom 6.
Would love to snatch up Tanev and/or Zadorov
Being an extremely casual hockey fan and not knowing any of these names is definitely taking me on a wild ride.
Dillon for D. Noeson for 4th line. Foote and Bastian take the other 4th line spot and rotate in and out.
Rico
Eh, I’m also a Dallas fan as well as Jersey. I say we pass on Hakanpaa and go all in on Zadorov
Id rather die than sit through another season of 2nd line Haula
It’s time for Rico to come home and be our 3/4C.
Debrusk, Henrique, Zadorov
The team is in desperate need of toughness. And bahl going hurts that even more. We need some stay at home penalty killing defenceman. I love what hughes and nemec and casey can bring but sometimes you need guys to just push people around. Especially in the playoffs.
Sturm to replace he who shall not be named is exactly what we need, also I took classes with him in college so it would be sick to get his jersey
Wouldn’t mind if we brought Vatrano in from the ducks
Sign Zadorov and Zucker. Then roll that lineup and assess at thanksgiving
Very possible he just stays in Toronto, but I imagine they’ll absolutely be in on Bertuzzi. Need to get tougher and he just played for Keefe.
I love that you included Henrique in top 6 and tarasenko in bottom 6/top 9 lol
Personally I’d sign Stephenson to plug in at 2C and let Jack roll on the wing. If not just bump Haula down. Would fix the center issue with Mikey gone, also releases Jack of center issues since he’s bad at Face-Off. And adds some physicality up front. Swap Mercer and Bratt. Let Foote plug in bottom line swapping with Nate and Mac.
Defense gotta get a piece. Zadorov might be a bit too expensive. Forbort would be a good add back there
Is there a reason we couldn’t sign Toffoli? Already has chem with Hughes and Bratt.
You forgot Bastian
HENRIQUE
Dillon, Carrier and probably one other middle six guy. Easy on the term or at least make it buyout friendly.
Honestly, I prefer a trade for a top 6 player on Jack’s wing and that probably requires the 10th overall. But not sure who makes sense, beyond Buchnevich, if you can extend him. Then you have to figure out how to move some salary.
And NO to Zadorov. Hitting, size and he had a nice playoff but it’s all blinding people to the other 95% of the game where you have to defend and make smart decisions with the puck.
Zach Aston-Reese for the 4th line
Rico can slide in as a wing on Jack’s line or a 3C depending on how Holtz progresses and how Jack handles faceoffs. Think he is a good add beyond just the emotional tie.
No Wennberg please.
You’re missing mcdermid since we resigned him and foote will be a bottom 6 next season
Zadorov, Rico/Duclair, and Stephenson seem really possible to me. They won’t all be cheap obviously but wouldn’t cost a fortune
Pavel Buchnevich
McDavid 🤣 I wish
I would love Ehlers or Buchnevich for that top 6 spot. Might be a bit pricey to pull off especially Ehlers. But they would fit perfectly.
However given that the bottom 6 needs an overhaul and now at least 2 defensemen, I’m sure it will be a cheaper option in that spot.
Imagine Brady Tkachuk on Jack’s left wing 😎