New Jersey Devils Should Target Florida Panthers In Offseason
The Florida Panthers are a team who got in a bit of trouble real quick after looking like they had a brighter future than at any time in their history. Aleksander Barkov and Jonathan Hubredeau are absolute studs and on ridiculous deals for $5.9 million per season for another 2 and 3 years. They can expect big pay raises even with a possibly static cap, though this is a ways off. As for right now they they are in a cap crunch thanks to a $30 million defensive core and a $10 million sub-par goalie.
With a lot of unrestricted and restricted free agents to sign, new GM Bill Zito will be making some hard choices. This gives the New Jersey Devils options on who to target this offseason. While they may not have long-term solutions, there are a few good gap fillers to keep the Devils afloat until it’s time to compete. Here are a few we may target and how I feel about each player.
Mark Pysyk
A right shot defensemen who will fall through the cracks in Florida due to the cap is one the Devils should be trying to sign. Mark Pysyk is in his prime now at 28 years old and defenders can last a long time if they have the hockey IQ. If we don’t expect to much he will slot in perfect on the right side final pairing with probably an offensive player like Will Butcher or Ty Smith. His style is a little more stay at home so he would fit well with one of the more roaming defenders who can move the puck and while he isnt big he can clear the net with some efficiency.
Not a big signing but going Subban-Severson-Pysyk down the right with Connor Carrick as a fill in would be a strong group. Making $2.7 million this past season, the Devils could easily pry him over by offering a similar number since the Panthers can’t if they cant to keep any of the players above or Erik Haula. Giving him $2.5-3 million for 2-3 years would fill the gap on defense so the Devils can let players develop properly and not rush them giving us the best chance for future success.
Right now, if any defender is injured, the Devils we be shelled every game for 40+ shots thanks to the lackluster depth at the position. This move would keep AHL players from being forced to play 20 games or with some bad luck half the season. This or another defensive move is one the Devils have to make.