Pucks and Pitchforks
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5 Players New Jersey Devils Can Trade For Before Training Camp

By Nick Villano

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JANUARY 06: Max Pacioretty #67 and Marc-Andre Fleury #29 of the Vegas Golden Knights warm up before a game against the New Jersey Devils at T-Mobile Arena on January 6, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Golden Knights defeated the Devils 3-2. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JANUARY 06: Max Pacioretty #67 and Marc-Andre Fleury #29 of the Vegas Golden Knights warm up before a game against the New Jersey Devils at T-Mobile Arena on January 6, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Golden Knights defeated the Devils 3-2. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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New Jersey Devils
Niklas Hjalmarsson #4 of the Arizona Coyotes. (Photo by Derek Leung/Getty Images) /

Niklas Hjalmarsson

Yes, we are back on this bandwagon again. The Devils could still use some defensive depth despite adding Ryan Murray and Dmitry Kulikov in the offseason already. Kulikov is a sixth or seventh defenseman at this point in his career. Murray is someone who hasn’t been able to stay healthy. This, plus the fact the Devils will be relying on a rookie Ty Smith, makes it clear another player would really help this team.

Niklas Hjalmarsson feels like a really good fit for the Devils. He plays the left side of the Arizona Coyotes, by far the Devils’ biggest position of weakness. He’s making $5 million for one season. The Devils can add him now and flip him at the trade deadline.

The Coyotes are in such a bad situation, they desperately need a bailout. They lost draft picks next season based on how they dealt with scouting this season. They have the highest salary-cap hit in the league. Despite this, they don’t really have a competitive lineup. On top of that, they lose about $35 million in cap space next offseason. They are staring a rebuild in the face, and they should start building assets now.

Hjalmarsson wouldn’t get them a big return, but he would immediately get them out of salary cap hell. That perspective is worth something. The Devils can take on his whole hit without moving anyone around. This gives the Coyotes a chance to go into the season with a clear plan. Then, they can decide what to do with their seemingly endless open roster spots next season.

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