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New Jersey Devils: Ray Shero Has Been One of the League’s Best GMs

By Sean Jackson

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA - JUNE 21: General Manager Ray Shero of the New Jersey Devils is seen on the draft floor during the first round of the 2019 NHL Draft at Rogers Arena on June 21, 2019 in Vancouver, Canada. (Photo by Dave Sandford/NHLI via Getty Images)
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA - JUNE 21: General Manager Ray Shero of the New Jersey Devils is seen on the draft floor during the first round of the 2019 NHL Draft at Rogers Arena on June 21, 2019 in Vancouver, Canada. (Photo by Dave Sandford/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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Ray Shero has done it again.  After missing out on Jacob Trouba and catching the ire of New Jersey Devils fans everywhere, Ray made a giant splash on the second day of the draft acquiring P.K. Subban from the Nashville Predators in exchange for Steven Santini, Jeremy Davies, and two 2nd-round picks.  This is not the first time Shero has done something like this- during his time as general manager in New Jersey, his trades have been simply exceptional.

When Ray took over as GM in 2015, the Devils were not a good team.  At all. Like, Michael Ryder and Martin Havlat were playing on the top line bad.  His first major transaction (non-draft) was when he acquired Kyle Palmieri from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for a 2nd and 3rd-round pick.  At the time, this seemed like a bit of an overpayment for a guy who hadn’t reached a 15 goal season in his career. But, as we all know, Shero clearly knew what he was doing, as Palmieri has blossomed into a first-line sniper.

Even at the 2016 trade deadline, while they were minor moves, New Jersey still got the better end of a couple of deals.  Ray got a third round pick in exchange for now out of North America defenseman Eric Gelinas, along with getting a rather productive Devante Smith-Pelly.

Of course, the highlight of his tenure with the Devils came that offseason, when Shero made the legendary one-for-one trade, acquiring future MVP Taylor Hall from the Edmonton Oilers for Adam Larsson.  Not much more needs to be said about this one. No disrespect to Larsson whatsoever- he’s a solid player- but if Hall re-signs in New Jersey, this may go down as one of the most lopsided trades in history.

After a disappointing season, Ray took advantage of the cap-strapped Washington Capitals when he traded for Marcus Johansson, giving up the same return of the Palmieri trade.  While he never quite found his footing in New Jersey, mainly due to injuries, Johansson was a good Devil who ended up fetching this team a nice return this past trade deadline.

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That same year, fan favorite Adam Henrique was dealt to the Ducks for defenseman Sami Vatanen, at a time when the Devils desperately needed help on the blueline. At the deadline, Ray was a buyer and got Patrick Maroon and Michael Grabner to bolster the forward core.  These moves largely contributed to the team’s return to the playoffs for the first time since 2012.

Shero didn’t do much of anything during the summer of 2018.  Despite the poor season, I still think this was the right move, as there were some players who simply didn’t step up and some of the contracts given to UFAs are abysmal.  At the deadline, he acquired two 2nd-round picks, a 3rd, a 4th, and Connor Carrick for rentals in Ben Lovejoy, Marcus Johansson, and Brian Boyle. Not bad.

This offseason is a big one, and it has gotten off to an exceptional start with the team drafting Jack Hughes first overall and the aforementioned Subban trade.  Even after taking on PK’s $9 million/year contract, the Devils are still under the cap floor, which is a true test to how smart Ray Shero is as a GM. He certainly isn’t done.  We have discussed different trade partners for New Jersey, and at this point the Vegas Golden Knights are looking like the best option. They are in SEVERE cap trouble, which has been Ray’s calling card to rob a team in a deal.

Ray Shero has not and will not give tons of money to UFAs on the market.  When you look at the contracts that some teams have to deal with, you realize how lucky we are to have someone as smart as Ray in the front office.  Through his trades, smarts, and good drafting, Shero has truly been one of the NHL’s best general managers. Just look at the Devils roster from 2015 and the roster now if you don’t believe me.

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