New Jersey Devils Offseason Upgrades: UFA Wingers

Tier 3

Anyone who read my UFA defenseman piece will now start to notice a trend.  The 3^rd tier of FA’s this year is where I think New Jersey’s sweet spot will be.  Outside of John Tavares, there isn’t a 1^st tier FA that will have the impact that their salary is going to imply for this team.

Patrick Maroon

Projected Contract 3 years $4.5 million AAV

Patrick Maroon was great for the Devils in that final stretch last year.  He clearly has a presence on and off the ice and his overall numbers last year were solid.  Unfortunately, I don’t know if he fits the long term plans of this team and especially for what he’s going to cost.

He isn’t great on the right side, isn’t a great shooter, and doesn’t fit this teams speed.  What the Devils need more than anything else is someone who can create opportunities and generate shots.  I think Maroon was invaluable below the goal line and on the PP but I think his PP presence can be replicated and that he just doesn’t warrant that projected contract.

With less term and less money I’m on board but for that cost I think there are better options for this top six.

Rick Nash

Projected Contract 2 years $3.8 million AAV

This is going to be unpopular, and I get that.  However, the Devils should seriously go after 34-year-old Rick Nash.  Nash is still an elite 5v5 scorer.  It’s that simple.  What I like most about Nash is that the area’s that he has generally scored goals from over the last two years fit almost perfectly with where Mojo and Zacha were able to generate shots from when they were together last year.  Let’s look at these heat maps from Micah Mccourdy at HockeyViz.com.

Nash’s sweet spot fits almost perfectly with where the 2^nd line was generating chances.  Now, I know it’s not ideal bringing in a 34 year old, but a 2 year deal buys you time.  If McLeod or Quenneville is ready this year, that cap hit doesn’t hurt you.  If they’re not, he’s a nice addition to this top six.  Nash may be the shot producer that this top six currently needs. His term and AAV aren’t ridiculous.

Seriously though, for the right price Nash may be the perfect fit.  He buys you time until your prospects are ready for top six roles. He can score.  It may not be the move people want, but I think it’s one of the moves this team may need.  Who knows, maybe Nash is willing to take a slight pay cut to keep his family in the same location and still play for a team that made the playoffs.

Thomas Vanek

Projected Contract 1 year $3 million AAV

This may be less popular than my opinion on Nash.  I think Thomas Vanek is a really good fallback option.  I’d imagine he’s not getting signed early in the FA period, and if all else fails he has a nice scoring touch and can play on the RW.  In similar fashion to Nash, Vanek on a one year deal buys some time for prospect development.  If Q or McLeod beat him out in camp and he’s on a one year deal, then who cares?  If they don’t, he provides a nice enough scoring touch.  Although he certainly lacks defensive ability, that’s not why you’re bringing him in.

I’m looking at Vanek as an “In case of emergency” option.  Ideally you can get him even cheaper and you’re looking at a worst case scenario of Drew Stafford 2.0.