Pucks and Pitchforks
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New Jersey Devils: Case For And Against Trading Each Defenseman

By Nick Villano

OTTAWA, ON - JANUARY 27: Ottawa Senators Left Wing Brady Tkachuk (7) and New Jersey Devils Defenceman P.K. Subban (76) fight during the second period of the NHL game between the Ottawa Senators and the New Jersey Devils on January 27, 2020 at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Steven Kingsman/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
OTTAWA, ON - JANUARY 27: Ottawa Senators Left Wing Brady Tkachuk (7) and New Jersey Devils Defenceman P.K. Subban (76) fight during the second period of the NHL game between the Ottawa Senators and the New Jersey Devils on January 27, 2020 at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Steven Kingsman/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
(Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

The Pros Of Trading Sami Vatanen

Well, Sami Vatanen seems like the most plausible trade candidate. He’s on the final year of his contract with the Devils, and he hasn’t agreed to any kind of extension as of yet. If the Devils don’t sign him, he could leave for nothing in the offseason. The Devils asset is worth too much for them to lose him for nothing.

He is likely the most valuable piece teams are going to call about, and a lot of teams are going to call about Vatanen. The Devils could get a really good package for him. Whoever is in charge of the trade deadline (we’re assuming Tom Fitzgerald, but we can’t be too sure) will be asking for a 1st-round pick minimum. They could get a really good prospect if they don’t ask to be in the 1st round. Either way, they are going to get insane value for Vatanen.

Also, Vatanen has been a little up and down with the Devils over his career. It’s fine if he’s sitting in his role that he’s in right now, but if he’s going to ask for a legitimate raise this offseason, then it may not be worth it. If Vatanen won’t sign on the dotted line unless he gets, say, $7 million per season on a five to six-year deal then it’s probably best to just get what you can for the asset now.

The Cons Of Trading Sami Vatanen

Vatanen is great in the role the Devils have him in right now. He’s having one of the best seasons we’ve seen from him in a Devils uniform. Two years ago, when the Devils last made the postseason, Vatanen carried the team there. Sure, Keith Kinkaid and Taylor Hall are going to get all the love for what they did, but without the Anaheim Ducks trade that sent Adam Henrique for Vatanen, the Devils don’t make the postseason.

The Devils can’t trade everyone, right? If they just send everyone away, then this rebuild will never end. If Vatanen is willing to re-sign with this team despite the uncertainty of the future of the franchise, why wouldn’t they? It sounds like something the team should strongly consider. Having a right side with Vatanen, Subban and Damon Severson, with Connor Carrick working himself in, gives the Devils a real advantage if they can get someone on the left side.

Also, we have to wonder what trading Vatanen would do to the Devils locker room. This is a player who really seemed to buy in to playing for the Devils the second he got here. Maybe we’re overstating things, and maybe the young kids won’t care at all, but it’s definitely something worth considering.

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