5 Players New Jersey Devils Could Get in “Hockey Trades”
Earlier this week, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman mentioned in his latest “31 Thoughts” that the New Jersey Devils are willing to consider “hockey trades” in addition to dealing their pending unrestricted free agents. This little tidbit set the Devils blogosphere ablaze, prompting fans and writers to speculate an onslaught of moves the team might make over these next few weeks.
For this piece’s purpose, a “hockey trade” will be defined as one where the New Jersey Devils acquire players that could be readily inserted in the lineup, which the organization has control of beyond this season.
With the Devils being perpetual sellers for the longest time, rumors seem to annually surface about them being willing to make “hockey trades” as the deadline nears. Save the acquisition of Connor Carrick, who New Jersey received when they traded Ben Lovejoy to the Dallas Stars last trade deadline, no significant “hockey trade” has ever materialized for the Devils around this time of the season in recent years. Nonetheless, it’s a topic still worth pondering.
Especially considering how the Devil’s current management group is operating on an interim basis and might not even be at the helm this offseason, it makes these scenarios completely subjective. Whether it involves overhauling the defense or bolstering their depth at wing, these are some compelling players the New Jersey Devils can arguably acquire in a “hockey trade” scenario this month.
Kasperi Kapanen (RW), Toronto Maple Leafs
Rumors alleging Kasperi Kapanen’s availability have persisted since last summer. The Leafs are reportedly looking to improve their backend. Between the long-term injury dealt to Morgan Reilly along with a tightening playoff race, Toronto’s defense needs upgrades before February 24 arrives.
Playing in the shadows of Toronto’s big three—Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, John Tavares—Kapanen has become expendable, despite currently being on pace to set a new career-high in points. The 23-year-old forward would have a bigger role in New Jersey, address the roster’s glaring lack of right wing depth, and a chance to play with either Nico Hischier or Jack Hughes. This deal would especially benefit the latter, who’s spent most of his rookie season playing with subpar wings.
Toronto’s biggest issue is cap space, which the Devils can accommodate by taking on another contract in addition to Kapanen. Despite his recent injury, the Leafs could package Kapanen with someone like Cody Ceci and his $4.5 million AAV, who New Jersey can then flip to another team or let walk this summer. In lieu of a playoff rental like Sami Vatanen, Toronto might want someone along the lines of Damon Severson. He’s only 25-years old and is under contract for three more seasons. This would be helpful to the Leafs, who have Jake Muzzin and Tyson Barrie slated to become unrestricted free agents this summer.
Jake McCabe (D), Buffalo Sabres
For the New Jersey Devils, Jake McCabe would be a formidable addition. He’s played over 300 games despite only being 26-years old and isn’t a UFA until 2021. Since Andy Greene and Sami Vatanen will likely be shipped out of New Jersey in the coming weeks, McCabe can fill some of that experience void made by their departures.
McCabe’s Corsi-For (49.81), Fenwick (50.29), and shots on net (51.57) at five-on-five are commendable, especially given he plays for such a dismal team. His RAPM numbers aren’t too glamorous, but he has the highest even strength (EVD) and shorthanded (SHD) defensive goals above average/replacement (GAR) on the Sabres. Throw in his ability to block shots and physical game, he’s the type of stay-at-home defenseman New Jersey hasn’t had in quite some time.
A deal like this presents an opportunity to ship out Miles Wood, who is originally from Buffalo and supposedly being shopped by the Devils. This scenario was previously discussed in a piece published before the season began, and makes sense for both teams. Wood hasn’t quite panned out since netting 19 goals two seasons ago, but occasionally shows flashes of competence using his speed, physicality, ability to draw penalties, and could benefit from a change of scenery. The Sabres do have six pending UFA forwards on their current roster and could be actively seeking young forwards they’ll be able to have control of beyond this season—like Wood, who has two years remaining on his current contract (after which he’ll be an RFA).
Joel Armia (RW), Montreal Canadiens
Like McCabe, Joel Armia is still relatively young at 26-years old, and is under contract until 2021. Armia is readied to set new career-highs in goals and points this season. The Habs seem to do well in categories like goals for (GF/60) per and expected goals (xGF/60) per 60 minutes, along with Corsi-For (CF/60) per 60 minutes when he’s on the ice during the power play, as shown in this chart.
In addition, Armia’s percentages are well above 50 in Corsi-For (52.19), Fenwick (50.94), and on-net shots (50.78) at five-on-five. Simply put, good things happen when Armia is on the ice. Armia is also a natural right wing, and his 130 shots would be second-most on the roster, giving a coveted boost in that category.
With Montreal’s playoff hopes quickly fading, they may see the trade deadline as a chance to retool their roster. Armia could be had for a young defenseman, since the Hab’s blue line needs improvement. A simple one-for-one deal that sends Will Butcher back to Montreal might do the trick. With the Devils, Armia could serve as a second or third line right wing, while getting ample power play time. If he continues building on the momentum garnered this season, Armia may very well establish himself as a top-six forward going into next season.
Viktor Arvidsson (RW/LW), Nashville Predators
After leading the Nashville Predators in goal-scoring for three consecutive seasons, Viktor Arvidsson has regressed this year (granted, he was sidelined for 12 games back in December). His 12 goals have him in a three-way tie for fourth on the team, and he’s currently on pace to finish the year with 21 goals, which equates to 24-25 over an 82-game season. Those are solid numbers, but would nonetheless have been Arvidsson’s lowest goal totals since scoring eight in 2015-16.
Arvidsson was never a star-caliber player, but his point totals have steadily declined since 2018. His numbers also worsened since Nashville brought in John Hynes. In the 11 games he’s played since Hynes’ hiring, Arvidsson has just three goals and four points (.36 points per game), whereas over the previous 29 contests, he tallied nine goals and 18 points (.62 points per game).
Like this piece suggested for Miles Wood, is Arvidsson due for a change of scenery?
While they’re currently just three points out, Nashville could still shake up their roster with a “hockey trade,” as they vie for a playoff spot down the stretch. Keep in mind that Coach Hynes would probably love to bring some of his old dogs over from New Jersey. The Devils might be willing to part with a package based around Jesper Bratt and/or possibly aforementioned players like Miles Wood or Will Butcher with some picks and prospects sprinkled in, to obtain a reputed scorer like Arvidsson.
Matt Dumba (D), Minnesota Wild
Not everyone will be on board with this particular scenario, but it’s compelling nonetheless. Since his season-ending injury last year, Matt Dumba hasn’t been the same. Whether it’s one or a combination of him still not being 100 percent healthy or this current Minnesota Wild team hurting his offensive capabilities, you have to figure Dumba’s discouraging season is raising concerns. Throw in how he’s being outperformed by Ryan Suter, Jonas Brodin, and Jared Spurgeon, the 25-year old defenseman is in an awkward position.
The Wild probably aren’t ready to write off Dumba just yet, especially since his play has improved since January—seven points in last 11 games. Minnesota’s playoff aspirations are fading and first-year General Manager Bill Guerin could see the coming weeks as a time to begin putting his own twist on this roster. Between Dumba’s injury-riddled 2018-2019 season and slow start this year, the Wild might not be opposed to relieving themselves of his $6 million AAV. They presently have about $2.6 million in cap space, but need to re-sign pending RFAs Luke Kunin, Jordan Greenway, and Carson Soucy, all of whom may wind up with seven-figure AAVs.
This isn’t to say they won’t give Dumba away solely for the sake of doing so, and acquiring him would be costly. The New Jersey Devils may have to send a package including the 1st-round pick acquired from the Arizona Coyotes, along with a combination of 1-2 of their top prospects and/or 1-2 young roster players.
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You can argue trading for a defensively inept blue liner like Dumba is more detrimental than beneficial for the Devils—especially given the current state of their backend—but if he manages to rediscover his pre-injury game, it winds up being a franchise-changing steal.