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 Jason Mowry/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
(Photo by Jason Mowry/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

The Pros Of Trading Will Butcher

Will Butcher was a very desirable piece when he was a college free agent three years ago, and the Devils won the prize because they had the spot to allow him to play right away. He was great in that first season in red and black, but he’s fallen off a bit. He just signed a three-year deal this past offseason, worth $3.73 million per season. The Devils actually took him off the power play, which was once his best role.

He still has a ton of value on the market. There just aren’t a ton of defensemen available, so the Devils stand in a very enviable position. Even with Butcher having a less-than-stellar season, teams are going to be looking to add a player of his caliber. He’s 25 years old, he got some votes for the Calder Trophy in 2018, and he even got some love for the Lady Bing Trophy that season. There are aspects of his game that are very desirable for teams. If someone has an opening on the power play, he’d be perfect.

The Cons Of Trading Will Butcher

Will Butcher has two seasons left on his contract, and he’s just 25 years old. It’s taken him some time to get used to the role he’s been placed, but it’s probably because he’s not in the right position to succeed. He’s been placed on lines with Connor Carrick and Mirco Mueller, and he’s not here to carry a line. Butcher needs to be able to pinch whenever he feels necessary, and he hasn’t been placed with a player that could make up for that, hurting the confidence. If they can just stick him with, say, Vatanen, then he can sync up into that role and excel.

The Devils would be selling Butcher at the bottom of his value. He has 17 points, which isn’t terrible for a defenseman, but he could be doing so much better. 16 of his 17 points came at even strength. If he was just able to even get second-line power play time, then his value could skyrocket.

Next. Devils Top 25 Prospects. dark

Also, this is one of the young players that seems to fit in with Nico Hischier, Jesper Bratt and eventually Jack Hughes. He’s like one of the veterans of that group. He gets to play a role as a 25-year-old defenseman while still easing into his role overall.

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