New Jersey Devils: Potential Trade Partners Without First Round Picks
By Mike Luci
The New Jersey Devils have major draft capitol over the next two years, and they could use that to pluck a great player from a team missing their 1st-round pick this season.
Over the next two drafts, the New Jersey Devils are in possession of four first-round picks. While it came at a cost, it’s an advantageous situation for any team. How an organization like New Jersey utilizes these coveted assets could make the difference between enduring another prolonged rebuild, or taking a few more steps toward becoming a genuine playoff contender.
Whoever New Jersey’s next general manager is will most certainly explore the trade route. Especially if the 2019-20 season gets cancelled or jumps right into the playoffs, teams currently without a 2020 1st-round pick may be willing and eager to swing deals where they regain such a cherished piece. Throw in how many of these organizations will face glaring salary cap issues this offseason—a salary cap that could wind up going down—along with other matters involving roster maneuverability, it could further compel them to do business with the New Jersey Devils.
Should that be the case, these five teams currently without a 2020 1st-round pick are possible trade partners. While you might find some of these scenarios highly unrealistic or outright outlandish, keep in mind any trades mentioned are purely speculative.