The New Jersey Devils are officially in offseason mode. Over the next few days, we will look at 20 potential free agents they could look at signing. Today, we look at the Detroit Red Wings Mike Green.
It’s no surprise to say the New Jersey Devils need help on defense. As with most years, once again the free agency market isn’t producing enough defensemen for everyone, but there are some intriguing options. While John Carlson is obviously the prize, Mike Green isn’t a terrible backup plan.
Despite the struggles of the Detroit Red Wings, Green has been a much better defensive player in his time there. Add that to his outstanding offensive numbers, and it seems like Green should be one of the top free agents in this class.
However, that’s not all were working with here. For one, Green suffered a season-ending neck injury. It ended any chance of the Red Wings trading him at the trade deadline, and could hurt his value this July. In fact, it will hurt his value.
Green can still go offensive. Despite being on the wrong side of 30, Green is still a very good player to have on the team. He can still shoot the puck from the blue line, and finds the best passes to set up his teammates.
Green will likely be a candidate if the Devils can’t find a way to bring a legit franchise defenseman to the fold, but is it worth it?
Green would no doubt be an upgrade to some of the players currently on the roster, but he seems like too much of a repeat of someone already on the roster. While Damon Severson will never hit the 31 goal heights of Green, their production now basically overlaps. Green is 32 years old, while Severson is 23.
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Would the Devils sign Green if they move Severson in a deal for something bigger? That makes more sense, but with the roster currently constructed it wouldn’t make sense to add Green.
He was great playing the big fish in a small pond that was the Red Wings roster. I’m sure he will do just fine wherever he lands. However, with the needs of the Devils right now, Green may not be the best choice. He likely won’t make the $6 million he made this past year, but he will likely sign a multi-year deal worth between $4 million and $5 million per season.
Now, if Green is willing to sign a one-year deal to prove he’s going to come back fine from his neck injury, then that’s more intriguing. Even if the Devils keep Severson on the roster, it would be a nice upgrade. It would be hard to work out the power play, with Will Butcher and Sami Vatanen already in the fold, but that’s a good problem to have.
Green can work if the contract details do, but Ray Shero should not move mountains to add him.