Pucks and Pitchforks
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5 Moves New Jersey Devils Can Make To ‘Win Now’

By Charlie Borges Jr.

NEWARK, NJ - JANUARY 12: Tom Fitzgerald looks on after being named interim general manager by New Jersey Devils owner Joshua Harris while he addresses the media prior to the National Hockey League game between the New Jersey Devils and the Tampa Bay Lightning on January 12, 2020 at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
NEWARK, NJ - JANUARY 12: Tom Fitzgerald looks on after being named interim general manager by New Jersey Devils owner Joshua Harris while he addresses the media prior to the National Hockey League game between the New Jersey Devils and the Tampa Bay Lightning on January 12, 2020 at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
(Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

2. Sign Alex Pietrangelo or Torey Krug

The one position that the Devils desperately needed to address coming into the offseason was getting a top-tier defenseman. They went out and traded for P.K. Subban and it obviously has not worked out to the liking of anyone. Subban has been serviceable but has not been Norris caliber Subban people know he can be. The defense even with Subban seemed to be missing a piece, even maybe two. Ty Smith wasn’t ready for the show this year so that left the Devils with limited options for the bottom pair and seventh defenseman.

The lack of defensive depth has been very glaring when it comes to what has gone wrong this year. Damon Severson has taken a step back in terms of production and defensive play. Will Butcher has had an up and down year from the get go. Sami Vatanen has been steady and seems like to be a trade piece that could potentially get a first round pick for. You know what you’re getting with Andy Greene with some own goals sprinkled in there. Connor Carrick has been hurt most of the year and has struggled to stay in the lineup. Meanwhile, Mirco Mueller has been horrific all year and sometimes doesn’t realize he is playing the sport of hockey until the puck is in the net behind him.

The Devils need someone who can come onto the scene and provide offensive ability and leadership. They have the cap space to make multiple splashes in free agency. The first splash they need to make to help the blueline is to make a hard push for Alex Pietrangelo or Torey Krug. Pietrangelo just captained the Blues to their first championship while producing points and being defensively responsible. He will ask for a raise from his six and a half million AAV now. It wouldn’t be out of the realm of possibility if the Devils offer him a deal that has an AAV of nine million or more.

It may be an overpayment but to get a player of Pietrangelo’s caliber, but it will be worth the penny. Same thing with Krug. He will get less than Pietrangelo, but a defenseman that can put up 50 points a year will be worth it for the offensively depraved Devils. They just have to hope Krug hits the open market. As for Pietrangelo, the Blues have less than $8 million in cap space, so it will be a challenge for the captain to come back.

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