New Jersey Devils: 5 Left Wings To Target In Free Agency

Carl Soderberg

This one is intriguing. Carl Soderberg flies under the radar despite the fact he was on his way to his second-straight 20-goal season. He’s much older than the other options on this list, turning 35 years old in October. He’s definitely a short-term option.

Soderberg took a lot longer to get to the NHL. He was 27 years old when he made his debut with the Boston Bruins. That next season, he immediately became a regular in the lineup. Soderberg has had a roller-coaster career, but now he’s an NHL regular. He’s playing on the second line with Phil Kessel and Nick Schmaltz.

Soderberg would play a middle-six role with the Devils, meaning they would need Jesper Bratt to step into a top-line role full time. He could be a 20-goal scorer to bring a veteran presence on Jack Hughes’ line. He could take him under his wing. Most players learn the most from the players that scratch, claw, and fight for their spot in the lineup every year. Instead of a superstar teaching players how to be a superstar, the best teachers tend to be the vets.

Soderberg could also play with Travis Zajac. The Devils have put together veteran lines in the past. It would depend on who ends up as head coach to how they use Soderberg. Just having a player like him on hand to play multiple roles for the team makes them easier to deal with a full season. When an injury happens, Soderberg could step into the center or wing role.

This is probably the least likely option on the list but one we shouldn’t ignore.