The New Jersey Devils seem like the team should be set after moves to improve the forward group, but there could be moves to be made. Signing KHL forward Stephane Da Costa could help them now and in the future.
We all love Jaromir Jagr. In a recent article, it was discussed why we shouldn’t pursue him and I agree. Finding a place to slot him that makes sense for both New Jersey and Jagr is rather difficult. I can’t imagine he would be willing to fill a 3rd line role and I can’t imagine the Devils feel they need to fill a top 6 slot with Taylor Hall, Travis Zajac, Kyle Palmieri, Marcus Johansson, Nico Hischier, and Adam Henrique looking like a rock solid top six.
With that being said there is certainly room to improve in the bottom six. Pavel Zacha seems like a lock as a third-line center, and I would love to see Michael Mcleod as a LW alongside Zacha, but I don’t see a player on this roster currently that can fill that RW slot. That’s where Stephane Da Costa comes in. According to TSN, Da Costa is looking to make an NHL return.
Multiple teams have called on Stephane Da Costa. He 100% intends on playing in the NHL next season. Was in KHL last 3 years.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) June 29, 2017
Da Costa is 28. While he’s certainly not a prospect, he’s most likely entering his best years. He’s a player who never really got a shot in the NHL. Plus, at 5’11 he’s not undersized in today’s NHL. While most players develop early, Da Costa has flourished in the KHL. Since signing the Frenchman put up 96 points in 94 games. As a 3rd line RW, taking a flyer on Da Costa would be a great move.
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If Da Costa were to sign with the Devils, what could the Devils forward lines look like?
Hall-Zajac-Palmieri
Henrique-Hischier-Johansson
Mcleod-Zacha-Da Costa
Wood-Boyle-Noesen
I don’t think the Devils expect to be a contender this year but making a real run at the 8th playoff spot is a possibility, especially if they can add some depth. The top six looks great and I would imagine we’ll see Wood, Boyle, and Noesen as a 4th line. In my opinion the only major gap for forwards currently is the 3rd line RW. Da Costa can fill that role as a low-risk, high-reward signing. While this doesn’t shore up the needs defensively, forward depth is something every team needs to make a run. As Nashville showed last year once you’re in anything can happen. Obviously the Devils could address the need internally and I would expect they would, but taking a shot on Da Costa is a low risk move that could pay off.