Pucks and Pitchforks
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New Jersey Devils: 5 Players Who Can Sign PTO Contracts

By Nick Villano

NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - FEBRUARY 13: Mackenzie Blackwood #29 of the New Jersey Devils makes the third period save on Justin Abdelkader #8 of the Detroit Red Wings at the Prudential Center on February 13, 2020 in Newark, New Jersey. The Devils defeated the Red Wings 4-1. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - FEBRUARY 13: Mackenzie Blackwood #29 of the New Jersey Devils makes the third period save on Justin Abdelkader #8 of the Detroit Red Wings at the Prudential Center on February 13, 2020 in Newark, New Jersey. The Devils defeated the Red Wings 4-1. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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New Jersey Devils
Arizona Coyotes left wing Michael Grabner (40): Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports /

Michael Grabner

Okay, okay, stop booing. This isn’t that bad. Michael Grabner had one of the worst runs we’ve ever seen a player have after the Devils traded for him at the 2018 trade deadline. It obviously ended atrociously, he didn’t even play every playoff game for the Devils, and he eventually left in free agency. The Devils wasted a 2nd-round pick and Yegor Rykov to bring him in. It made it even worse that this was the first trade the Devils ever made with the New York Rangers.

Grabner was also bought out this offseason by the Arizona Coyotes. He signed for three years there after his disastrous Devils’ stint. His time there was not great. He had nine goals in his first season there and eight goals last season. Sure, those are not good numbers, but Grabner is still a really good penalty killer.

If the Devils can put a guy with Grabner’s speed and penalty-killing ability on the taxi squad or even as a healthy scratch, it gives them very important forward depth. Sure, it would be nice to put a Janne Kuokkanen type there, but maybe the Devils want to give him more playing time.

Next. 5 Devils That Should Be On The Taxi Squad. dark

Grabner can still contribute to an NHL team. He just doesn’t deserve a guaranteed contract just yet.

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