Should New Jersey Devils Try To Sign Patrick Maroon Again?

Right now, Patrick Maroon is a hero for the St. Louis Blues. Should the New Jersey Devils look to bring him back after he turned them down last season?

Pat Maroon just scored the game-winning, double-overtime goal that sent the St. Louis Blues to the Western Conference Finals. He’s on cloud nine for the time being, and definitely not thinking about what he’s going to be doing once free agency hits at the end of the season.

Honestly, it sounded like Ray Shero tried his hardest to bring Maroon back this past season, and he just didn’t want to. Maybe he didn’t feel like he was a fit where the Devils were going, or maybe he just wanted to be closer to his family in St. Louis. Either way, if he really wanted to be a Devil right now, he would be.

However, things do change, and Maroon had to take a serious pay cut on a one-year deal to go to St. Louis. After a really good run in the playoffs, will he be willing to do it again? And if he is looking to test free agency, would he give the Devils another chance? Should the Devils even want him at this point?

According to Evolving Wild’s contract predictor, Maroon is set to get a three-year deal worth $3.61 million per season. Obviously, the Devils could afford it, but would the Blues be willing to pay that kind of money for the 31 year old? It seems if the Blues are willing to pay his price, this is where he wants to play.

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Let’s say in this hypothetical world, the Blues don’t want to pay the premium it costs for Maroon. Now are the Devils interested?

Here’s the thing, they probably should if they want to be considered true contenders. No, Maroon does not fill the top-six right wing spot they desperately need, or the number-one defenseman spot, but he provides something that few players actually fill. He’s insanely clutch as we learned on Tuesday night. Think about last year, Maroon was one of the only forwards making headway against the Tampa Bay Lightning. He doesn’t score all the time, but he’s in the right place at the right time when you need him.

Maroon doesn’t get you to the playoffs, he excels once he gets there. He’s a big body that drives the play. He doesn’t score many points, and he’s on the wrong side of 30, but it’s definitely worth consideration this offseason.

The major issue is one we touched on earlier. If Maroon signs with the Devils, the entire locker room knows this isn’t his first choice. There are players like that, and they usually do just fine, but very rarely do players leave then come back. It might be a weird dynamic. Although, some players might be okay with the situation since there was a child involved.

Either way, it’s worth a phone call. After this postseason, something tells me the Blues are going to make a long-term commitment work. If they don’t, it’s worth a phone call.

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