It’s possible Travis Zajac played his last game with the New Jersey Devils.
This offseason, we’ve heard just about everything when it comes to what the New Jersey Devils might do. That’s what happens when the team has a new front office head in place with a brand new head coach. There’s no continuity, so Devils fans have nothing to go off of. With Tom Fitzgerald and Lindy Ruff in place, it’s time to rebuild this roster.
Rumors are surrounding Kyle Palmieri, who’s going into the last year of his contract. The Devils are reportedly negotiating a contract extension, but if something doesn’t come along quickly, the Devils could send him to the highest bidder. There’s talk the Devils could be tied to some big names on the trade market and their third 1st-round pick is on the table. Mackenzie Blackwood and Jesper Bratt are both in need of new deals. Damon Severson is a name other teams are asking about.
Despite all that, the one thing we know is happening hasn’t been mentioned at all. Travis Zajac is going to decide on his future this offseason. He decided he didn’t want to waive his no-trade clause at the deadline. However, if the Devils aren’t going to make moves to stay competitive, and they even decide to trade some of the few veterans on the roster, Zajac could make a different decision this offseason.
Zajac has weird value around the league. Honestly, if the Devils aren’t getting positive value for him, they might decide to just keep him. He’s still very productive for the Devils. Looking at some of the other players making the type of money he’s making ($5.75 million), Zajac isn’t even one of the 10 worst. There are so many bad contracts in the league that it’s turned Zajac’s into a good one.
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This is why the Devils would only trade Zajac for really good value. They’d ask more than what they got for Andy Greene, who got them a 2nd-round pick one year later. Would Zajac get the Devils a 1st-round pick? That’s doubtful, but that’s probably where the Devils start the conversations.
Zajac holds all the cards here. Not only does he have to accept the fact that the Devils could trade him, but he would have to accept the location. Greene was in a similar situation, but it worked out perfectly. He didn’t have to move. He went to the New York Islanders with the GM that brought him into the league. Could the Islanders be another team the Devils target? Maybe, but unlikely they look to lose prospects with the lack of picks on the roster.
Zajac has been a great Devils player since he was drafted in 2004. It’s going to be an end of an era if he decides to move on. It is his decision, and after everything he’s given this franchise, it should be.