Pucks and Pitchforks
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New Jersey Devils Offseason Upgrades: UFA Defensemen

By Tyler Kelley

NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 16: Calvin de Haan #44 of the New York Islanders skates against the Carolina Hurricanes at Barclays Center on November 16, 2017 in New York City. New York Islanders defeated the Carolina Hurricanes 6-4. (Photo by Mike Stobe/NHLI via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 16: Calvin de Haan #44 of the New York Islanders skates against the Carolina Hurricanes at Barclays Center on November 16, 2017 in New York City. New York Islanders defeated the Carolina Hurricanes 6-4. (Photo by Mike Stobe/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Patrick McDermott/NHLI via Getty Images)
(Photo by Patrick McDermott/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Tier 1

John Carlson Target

Projected Contract 6 years 8.43 AAV

I’d like to start by saying this, YIKES!  That contract projection is a nightmare.  John Carlson could be a valuable piece, but I don’t know that he’s worth almost $8.5 million.  He’d immediately upgrade this defensive corps, but I think his production is partially a product of playing with guys like Alex Ovechkin and Niklas Backstrom and also the fact that he’s not a true top pair defenseman that’s matching other teams top lines.

If you’re going to pay a defenseman $8.5 million a year you better be able to match him up against your opponents top line every single time.

If I’m Ray Shero, I’m making a simple offer and then moving on.  Something along the lines of 6 years and a $6.5 million AAV and then move on.  Given what the UFA market for defensemen could be next year, there’s no reason to overspend on Carlson this year.  If you’re going to give a defenseman over $8 million a year, then he needs to be the unquestioned answer for your defensive issues.

Unfortunately for the Devils, I don’t think Carlson is that guy.  While he brings offensive value, he actually rates out subpar as a 5v5 defender.  Given what he’s projected to make in FA, I think the Devils are better suited going for another defender that we’ll discuss later.  The reality is that as a team you simply cannot afford to pay someone nearly $8 million a year if they aren’t going to be the piece that pushes you over the top.  Teams are built over time.

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