It is no secret that the New Jersey Devils need help everywhere on the ice, but defense is the most pressing for the next few seasons. The Devils have some good prospects in the system, but rushing players into the NHL is a bad choice, especially on a team that will be doing a lot of losing. With that in mind, a veteran defensemen who still has some good years and time left would be perfect fit for the team.
Since being traded for former Devil Taylor Hall, Adam Larsson has had a lot of up and down seasons. He eats minutes on the ice against top players and punish them in front of the net. Since leaving New Jersey, his game took a big step in the physicality department and he is even meaner on the ice now especially in the blue paint where the Devils need help. Damon Severson and Will Butcher are both soft in their own end. Adding a player like Larsson would give the Devils a contrasting play style that would be a large benefit the organization.
With all the youth coming up and the holes on the roster, it is likely Ty Smith makes the team next season. While he can move the puck, he will more than likely be a little weaker in the defensive end. He’s expected to have a tough time clearing out the older and bigger players in the league. Expecting a younger guy to do all that is not the key to success. That’s why pairing him with a stay at home Larsson may allow him to flourish at what he does.
With him back on the roster, the Devils right side would be a very solid combination of Severson-Larsson-Subban with Connor Carrick as an extra. On the left side, it is still is weak, but when Ty Smith finally makes the step this year having him and Butcher at least gives the Devils two NHL defensemen and only one stop space that needs to be filled.
Larsson’s value is at a low point and the Devils should be looking into how much it would cost to get him. His last two seasons have been bad and mediocr,e but after the hard loss of his father one can’t blame him for not being mentally ready for such a demanding job. He is a prime candidate for a return to form. He still has the ability he has to play 22 minutes a night against tough competition and a high compete level in his own end.
The Edmonton Oilers will be making changes after this season. They have to sign key pieces Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Ethan Bear and Kailer Yamamoto plus have to prepare for the expansion draft. There is plenty of reason to believe Larsson may be the odd man out. As noted in a previous article, the Oilers probably would want a young forward and Micheal Mcleod would make a lot of sense. If that wasn’t of interest to Edmonton, the Devils have a lot of mid-tier prospects and picks they could offer or even offer to take a bad contract back in the short term.