General Manager Ray Shero has shown a propensity to acquire young, high-potential forwards like Kyle Palmieri and Beau Bennett during his tenure with the New Jersey Devils. The 2017 NHL Free Agent class is widely viewed as below average, but there are a few hidden gems. Here are three options the Devils might consider.
All New Jersey Devils fans know that General Manager, Ray Shero values youth and potential at the forward position. It’s a great concept, but like most things in life the results are mixed. In the case of Kyle Palmieri, it worked out big time.
The jury is still out with Beau Bennett given his limited production last year. Hopefully the jury has spoken with players like Devante Smith-Pelley, whose four goals and penchant for landing on the disabled list last year didn’t cut the mustard. Hopefully he will move from the “under the radar” category into “off the roster” this summer. It’s time to move on from him.
"There are several interesting under the radar forwards available in the UFA market this summer."
This year, there are three younger UFA forwards who aren’t getting a lot of attention in the hockey world but seem to fit the target profile of the Devils architect. Here’s a look at each and what they could bring to the table for Jersey’s Team.
Jordan Weal
The current Philadelphia Flyer broke into the league the second half of 2016-17 with impressive numbers (8 goals in 23 games). He’s fast and good with the puck. This past season, Flyers goaltender Steve Mason has been effusive in his praise of Weal, complimenting his energy and ability to maintain puck possession.
However, there are numerous concerns one can express with respect to young Mr. Weal. He has below average size for an NHL forward. His 15.1 shooting percentage is unsustainable over the long haul. Weal’s sample size is too small (23 games). Not a lot of top end experience for a 25-year-old player. One could easily compare his run last year to the run of the aforementioned DSP with the Devils during the 2015-16 season. Sometimes, success can be fleeting.
That’s a lot of reasons not to like the emerging Philadelphia center, but there is one great reason to like him. Weal was a productive player in 2016-17. He’s the type of guy Shero has taken a flyer on, no pun intended, in the past.
Brett Connolly
Connolly has bounced around a bit, playing for Tampa, Boston and his current team, the Washington Capitals, during the past five seasons. Coming out of juniors, he was considered a high end offensive talent with good size and speed. Injury concerns (hip) hurt his draft stock, but now, at the age of 25, he seems to be coming into his own.
Durability no longer seems to be a major concern issue with Connolly. Last season, he was quite productive with the Capitals, scoring 15 goals in a modest 10:41 TOI per game. However, like Weal, his shooting percentage was off the charts this year at 18.5%. There is obviously no way that efficiency level can be maintained over a long period of time in today’s NHL.
Connolly does however seem to fit the same general profile of a Kyle Palmieri with the Ducks. Limited ice time yet highly productive during his opportunities. Could the former pride of the Prince George Cougars do something similar with the Devils? It’s certainly possible.
Sam Gagner
At 27 years old, this is the oldest member of my hidden gems. I’m not quite sure Gagner qualifies as flying under the radar. He’s bounced around a lot in the league, playing for Edmonton, Arizona, Philadelphia and currently Columbus. Considering his draft pedigree (former #6 overall selection), his career has to be considered a bit disappointing. His time in Philadelphia, it is safe to say, was beyond disappointing.
New Jersey Devils
He seemed to resurrect his career this season in the Union Blue. 50 points is a good season for any NHL forward, and Gagner was a very important part of a Blue Jackets’ power play unit that was clicking on all cylinders.
Of course, consistency is a huge concern with the well traveled veteran. He’s not the best at puck battles, is a less-than-imposing physical presence in the corners, and there are some concerns about game-to-game effort. DSP got in John Hynes’ doghouse over the latter issue this past year, and all Devils fans have a keen understanding of the coach’s focus and emphasis on winning puck battles. I’m not sure Gagner would be the greatest fit on the Devils, but he did have 18 goals in a limited role for one of the best clubs in the NHL. It is indisputable that he has great hands and a scorers’ touch. That production and skill set is nothing to sneeze at.
Next: New Jersey Devils Need To Go Top Shelf
Summary
It’s not a great year for free agents in the league, but there are some under the radar options out there. These three are not perfect fits for New Jersey, far from it, but each have a high ceiling. It remains to be seen if Ray Shero follows the same blueprint as he did at the Devils’ draft table in 2015 and 2016 and makes a play for one of this trio or another forward with the same attributes. Should be a very interesting few months for the New Jersey Devils.