Devils: Making the case to acquire a new left-handed defenseman

Make no mistake about it, the New Jersey Devils need to acquire a new left-handed defenseman. Here’s making a case as to why it makes sense for turning things around this season.

With so many things going on about the Taylor Hall rumor (true or false) going on, it’s far too early to put the “trade Hall out of the Devils” plane out of Newark International Airport. With all honesty, Ray Shero is very savvy about making moves. He has been very intellectual in his way of approaching a guy like Nico with signing him to a seven-year extension.

However, Taylor Hall has been enjoying playing on the same line with Jack Hughes and Kyle Palmieri. If Ray Shero’s coaching staff can keep the momentum going very consistently winning more often then these rumors should be dead. What are Shero’s needs?

The Devils don’t have a bonafide left-handed defender. Sure, Ty Smith is an excellent offensive-defenseman for the WHL’s Spokane Chiefs in the Canadian Hockey League. It would be very wise for Ray Shero to get something solid in return to bolster this Devils left-handed defense corps. This isn’t a trade Taylor Hall article because this is how Ray Shero can improve the team via trade.

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It’s very early before Thanksgiving so don’t be surprised to see Shero make a push for a left-handed defenseman. The Las Vegas Golden Knights are very fortunate to have a young defender in Shea Theodore. Shea has been a proven two-way player at the NHL level with nearly 30 percent of his NHL points are made on the power play.

The Devils are finally beginning to find their groove in that special team’s department thanks to Kyle Palmieri scoring vs. the Rangers, and Jack Hughes against the Vancouver Canucks.

You can never have enough talent when it comes to the power play and Theodore does bring that from the left side. Theodore’s only 24 years old and he’s locked up long term so making a move before his last two years on his contract would prevent him from being traded.

Also, Shero can acquire the Penguins second-round pick in a package if Vegas wants to relinquish that pick. Sure this one is a stretch but most certainly a player who is on a team that is 1.3 million on the LTIR over the cap.

Another left-handed defender that would be a really bold defenseman that would bring a lot of physicality and authority to a Devils left blue line is Jake McCabe. The Buffalo Sabres have over two million dollars in cap space on the LTIR and if Ray Shero wants to take a low-risk move with a left defender like McCabe this is a solid short term pickup. McCabe has proven to be a more old school physical hockey player that the Devils sorely need.

With a very talented and super skilled Metropolitan Division adding McCabe’s size, and skill to a young Devils blue line would strike fear into opposing skater’s minds. Having a defenseman that can play the puck, and destroy a puck carrier can prove to help the New Jersey Devils protect leads and win big battles. The Buffalo Sabres an Atlantic Division team are 2.365 million over the cap on the LTIR. So there may be some reallocation of players once 1 of their 2 roster players comes off LTIR.

Shero knows in order to get Taylor Hall’s camp to sign onto signing an extension Hall needs his GM to bring in that big gritty defenseman or a power play specialist to the team. If you have a McCabe/Theodore along with Butcher and Tennyson on the left side you should have a lot more skill and depth. Whatever way Shero decides to go in adding a left-handed defender will be the way to help propel the Devils towards more wins, and get them in a playoff spot.

Next. 3 Young Players To Get In A Taylor Hall Trade. dark

However, this assumption of picking up a defenseman in this perspective Ray Shero should go after McCabe. He’s a Team USA guy, strong, physical, hard-working defenseman and the Devils absolutely need this type of specimen that can help coach John Hynes win more games. Plus Devils fans don’t want to see 4-1 leads go the wrong way. Shero knows what he needs to do as it’s all about executing the right move. But who knows which defender Shero is going after, hopefully, someone who can make an immediate impact upon arrival.

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