New Jersey Devils: Three Trade Packages For Johnny Gaudreau
Adding Johnny Gaudreau to the New Jersey Devils would help what they’re building.
The New Jersey Devils need to add another proven star to their group of very young players. It is possible that Nico Hischier and Jack Hughes both develop into top-20 centers across the National Hockey League, but they need help. They need someone who can show them the ropes of how to put a team on their back. One star that might be able to do that and could be available is Johnny Gaudreau.
The man known as Johnny Hockey is one of the best players in the world. He is a winger that would come to the Devils and make an immediate impact. You can argue all day about which line he would go on, but whichever one that is would automatically be much better. He would also help their power play as well as the development of the younger players.
It would be an all-around win if this were to happen. If the Calgary Flames are looking to move the final two years of his money to try and go for someone in free agency, moving Gaudreau might be something they want to do. It is no secret that the Flames might be eyeballing Taylor Hall. With him being a Calgary native, it is certainly possible that he entertains that possibility.
It would also mean that Hall isn’t the only one going to play at home. Johnny Hockey is from New Jersey. He is from South Jersey so he, unfortunately, grew up rooting for the Philadelphia Flyers. He would likely change his attitude really quick if the Devils made a move for him. If he is available, these three trades might make sense:
Trade One
The New Jersey Devils love Jesper Bratt. He is one of the bright young pieces on this team and he seemingly came out of nowhere in 2017. He was a low-round pick and New Jersey developed him into a solid top-six forward. With that said, trading him, Nathan Bastian, and the 2020 1st-round pick that formerly belonged to the Arizona Coyotes for Johnny Gaudreau would make a lot of sense.
Bratt would go back to Calgary and be the winger that they would be missing after trading Gaudreau. Even if they added Hall, they would know that Bratt and Hall have had great chemistry together in the past. It would be a nice trade for both teams because the Devils would be adding their star and the Flames would be adding another really solid piece to their already solid forward group.
Nathan Bastian has been a lovable player ever since he rose through the ranks to reach the professional level. He is a big body that can hit and provide some offense in the meantime. It doesn’t seem like there is all that much room for Bastian in the Devils organization unless they start to really see him being treated a little better so maybe moving on would be nice for him.
In this scenario, the Devils also give up the 1st-round pick that came to them in the Taylor Hall trade with the Arizona Coyotes. The Flames would almost certainly want a 1st-round pick if they let Gaudreau go and the Devils could have up to three of them to play with.
Trade Two
The New Jersey Devils have sent Ty Smith back down to juniors to play out his seasons with the Spokane Chiefs twice. It seems like he is a very good player, but for some reason the Devils have been a little bit too cautious with him. It makes you wonder if they know something that we don’t. If the Devils had to part with him in order to add Gaudreau, it might be a good idea.
If the Devils ever let Smith go and he turned out to be a very good top-pair defenseman, that would be awful for the Devils who are thin at the position. They would need to be certain that he isn’t the player that they thought he was going to be earlier on. It would be tough to see Smith go, but you’d have to give up some nice pieces in order to get a player like Gaudreau.
Miles Wood would be the perfect fit for the Calgary Flames. He is just the player you want on your fourth line if you’re involved in the “Battle of Alberta” with the Edmonton Oilers. Wood can use his speed to ruffle some feathers of his opposition. He is so fast, but the scoring tough doesn’t match his speed but he could be a very good fourth liner. His 19 goal season just a few years ago should also be taken into account.
The Arizona 1st-round pick comes up again here too. Calgary probably is going to receive a big package for Gaudreau if they do decide to move him. The Devils should be confident that they could get Gaudreau extended after 2020-21 is over with one year left on his current deal for 2021-22 so moving this type of draft capital might be worth it.
Trade Three
That Arizona 1st-round pick is almost certain to be gone if the Devils are going to acquire Johnny Hockey from the Calgary Flames. A 4th-round pick in the 2020 Draft would also be a nice little bonus pick for them in addition to Joey Anderson and Will Butcher. That would be a really nice haul for Calgary if they are actually wanting to move Johnny.
Joey Anderson is going to be really good at his job for a long time. He isn’t a future superstar by any means, but he sure knows how to play roles. He can play on any of the four lines depending on the situation of the game or season. He has plenty of leadership skills and would make a good fit on a Western Conference power like the Flames want to be.
Will Butcher may or may not get traded, but in this scenario, him moving for Gaudreau is totally worth it. Butcher has games where he is noticeable and others that he is not. It would be nice to see him work out this year but you just never know.
Hot. Time for Nico Hischier to be captain of the Devils. light
One final disclaimer, these trades are just for fun. There was some buzz about the Flames shopping him around and the Devils being very interested. A lot of people make the Hall and Gaudreau storyline of them both going home a popular take, but the truth is that nobody knows what is going to happen. Johnny is still getting ready to play a first-round “play in” series so a trade like this is probably more of a draft-day trade.