The New Jersey Devils decided to send down Ty Smith after a rough preseason. Now, they could really use an extra defenseman to actually build a great unit.
The New Jersey Devils made major upgrade on the defensive end over the past year. The biggest move was obviously trading for P.K. Subban from the Nashville Predators. That gives the team a legitimate number one of the ice every night. That also puts Damon Severson and Sami Vatanen in roles that make more sense. They also have Andy Greene, who should be in a shutdown role on the third line, but with the way lines have shaken, it sounds like Greene won’t be in that role, and instead a first-line role.
That makes it clear that the left side of the defense is not good enough. This team can’t spend 82 games with Greene playing 21-22 minutes per game. This isn’t to offend him because he is great at his role. The problem is playing a first-line role is not the role that suits him. He should be on the penalty kill and on the ice when the team needs someone to block shots and play smart hockey.
Right now, Connor Carrick is in the starting lineup. That’s not terrible, but having him as a depth defenseman who plays around 50 games would be perfect. Also, Mirco Mueller is the direct fill in, which means the first time someone gets hurt, Mueller has to play big minutes himself. For a player who’s never played more than 53 games in a season (and more than 40 once) that’s a scary proposition.
Then, if someone gets hurt and they need to call someone up from the AHL, the first name is likely Matt Tennyson, who had a decent stint in the preseason. Still, he’s been a career minor leaguer, and life would be so much better if the Devils could move each defenseman down one peg.
So, who could the Devils pick up? It would have to be a strength for strength type trade, like when the Devils traded for Vatanen two seasons ago. They sent Adam Henrique to the Anaheim Ducks after they faced multiple injuries at the center position. Can the Devils find a good fit?