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.
Mike Hoffman
Man, Mike Hoffman is good and a lot better than people give him credit sometimes since he played on a bad Senators team and then went to the market with the smallest fanbase. The last six years, he has averaged 28 goals which would be the best on this team and just under 59 points. His average is higher than any Devils player, besides a one off Taylor Hall season, since Jaromir Jagr in 2013-2014. We have been that bad at getting even non-star scorers.
The problem for Hoffman is all off the ice. This could be a major factor, although he seems to be a stand-up citizen while with Florida. The Devils just need to do their due diligence on the personality side of things. Without an old veteran to keep him, it could get out of hand. While Nico Hischier has leadership capabilities, he is still a kid at 21. The Devils are desperate for scoring but this still might not be the smartest move.
Evgenii Dadonov
Since returning from a 30-goal KHL season with SKA St.Petersburg, Evgenii Dadonov has really flourished. With two big seasons scoring 65 and 70 points and netting 28 goals in each, he found his place here in his prime much like we are hoping Nikita Gusev does this season. His assist total was down a bit this year, but it’s not that concerning. Even at the age of 31, his speed and hands were still there, so he should have a few good seasons left. He would not be a long-term solution at that age, but he could be a good filler for this team on a 2-3 year deal.
Making $4 million this season he may be looking for a little more and the Devils are in the position to offer it, even with the KHL being an option and bargining chip for him. A 2-3 year deal worth $4.5 million should be good for both parties. He can put up points and play the speed game with any of the Devils centers then be back home in Russia with a bunch of cash to finish his career.
Dadonov’s speed and skill would compliment Hischier or Hughes, giving them someone to play with if that’s the route they go and fellow Russian Nikita Gusev might pair really well. I love the options he would bring to the offence and Lindy Ruff would actually have something to work with in that regard so this is something the Devils should at least look into, even if he is very likely to be signed by the Panthers.
Brian Boyle
Brian Boyle needs to be back on this team. The Devils are too soft and lack leadership, so 6 foot 6″ Brian Boyle is a perfect depth fit. He hits people, he stands up for his teammates, and he is willing to fight. He was willing to fight while doing cancer treatments. If that isn’t maximum compete level and heart, then what is.
Some people may be thinking he will take a spot from a young player, but the Devils need competition. If you can’t win the spot you don’t deserve it. He probably wouldn’t play all the games like most 4th liners, but having him on the ice for 50 games and in the locker room for 82 would do way more than having a Micheal McCleod do the same. The Devils should slap the A on his chest right away and let him along with Travis Zajac teach Hischier. They can teach him how to do it all right and if ever needed push people who aren’t doing their job back on to the right track, which might be harder for a 21 year old.
In a depth role, he can kill penalties and probably spend time on a second powerplay standing in front of the net. He could even help everyone’s favorite Devil Miles Wood with work on screening and body positioning so he can fill that role going forward. Boyle can help ramp up the intensity for everyone to with his personality on the ice and really get people into games. To many players have a habit of coasting and taking games off with Boyle around it always felt like his line was more willing to engage.
dark. Next. Assessing Jesper Bratt's Next Contract
If he wanted to come back, the Devils should be 100% in on this. He won’t have a huge list of suitors, so the Devils should offer him a one-year deal worth $1.5 million. If it works out and we want him longer they can always sign him again year by year. If not, he can be moved at the deadline for all those intangibles and leadership qualities he has making this an easy signing on the Devils’ side.