With about two weeks left until the NHL Draft, the cards are in New Jersey Devils‘ general manager Ray Shero’s hand to be played. After the draft concludes rounds 2-7 on the 22nd of June. Ray Shero will be aiming for trading to upgrade the defense. The Devils defense was very suspect for a big portion of the season.
With a few candidates found via the TSN Trade Bail List, let’s focus on Olli Maatta, PK Subban, and Colin Miller. One of the things to like about these defenders is that they are under contract for three seasons.
PK Subban:
P.K. Subban had nine goals, and 22 assists with two power play goals, and eight power play assists. Meanwhile, he delivered 56 hits and 75 blocked shots. Subban may be a 30-year-old right-handed shot, but he’s a $9 million player that gives a coach and owner every bang for their buck. For the quality of play he provides, he is a shining example for a lot of young Devils defensemen that would be happy to pick his brains. Also he is a very good clubhouse presence who displays passion for the game on and off the ice.
Subban has been in the playoffs and knows what it’s like from a mega market in Montreal to a fresh and vibrant atmosphere in Nashville. Ray Shero trading for Subban would bring a ton of energy and excitement to Newark. This could even help The Hudson Rivalry having to deal with P.K. more frequently.
Colin Miller:
Colin Miller is a 26-year-old right-handed defenseman from the Vegas Golden Knights with an annual salary of $3.875 million for three seasons. Miller played in 65 games scoring three goals and 26 assists. He played physically with 122 hits and 64 blocked shots. Miller has proven to be a more physical and younger alternative option versus P.K. Subban, plus he has really good value for his contract for the next three seasons. Miller would be a nice top-four presence that I find more reasonable to dangle a few of those extra draft picks in a package if something were to occur.
Miller has been in the playoffs before, scoring 11 points in 30 games as a very seasoned veteran defenseman. He’d be a great bargain at this point.
Olli Maatta:
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The 24-year-old Finnish left-handed defender has been one of the more underrated players I have witnessed over time. Olli Maattaa has been on the 2016 and 2017 Stanley Cup Champion Pittsburgh Penguins rosters. He is getting paid a little over $4 million for the next few seasons. Olli has not peaked yet for an under 30- year-old defender.
His stat line from last season reads in 60 games he had 97 hits and shots 116 blocks. What this means for me is that not only would he be an excellent long term option as a lefty defender. He’d be a delight to have with Andy Greene one day retiring, and helping groom Ty Smith as a left-defenseman. By the way we can’t forget that in 2012 Ray Shero drafted him as the Penguins GM at the time.
There is a lot of potential in this player where he can separate puck carriers and also provide offense. In 60 games played Maatta has scored 14 points (13 assists), and has a very low penalty minutes count of 12 pm’s. In playoff career numbers he provided in 69 games with 19 assists, 21 points, and only 20 penalty minutes.
Conclusion:
With P.K. Subban as a pipe dream, he is someone who can be worth the risk and the reward. You never exactly know how Ray Shero would feel making a move for him. It would take more convincing for David Poile to try and talk Ray Shero into a deal that gives Nashville cap relief.
The Devils top priority is upgrading the right-handed defense position. They could do that simply by focusing on acquiring Colin Miller. Miller won’t cost Ray as much as Subban. Shero could use the plethora of extra Devils assets they have. The Devils have three 2nd rounders and two 3rd rounders in this years draft. Not to forget the 2022 5th-round pick they got in the Keith Kinkaid trade, along with two 4th rounders in the 2020 NHL Draft.
Now, with the right side being taken care of, the Devils should put Olli Maatta at the top of their list as a left-handed defender. I know Andy Greene is not getting any younger, and he needs a successor very soon. Maatta can be very reliable in that top four while Ty Smith matures into that heralded defender status.
Ray Shero knows what he’s doing especially digging back into the Pittsburgh Penguin pipeline. If Shero lands both players, the Devils would have a balance of younger defenders on both sides. They will provide experience, leadership, physical play, discipline, and offensive chemistry to an up and rising team.
Having a chance to invest in really solid defenders not named Erik Karlsson or Jake Gardiner is still a major ideal boost for a lot of Devils fans to be very thankful for if any of these players are acquired.