Ryan Nugent-Hopkins
With so much cap space this offseason, the Devils might be looking to break the bank on one major free agent. It would be nice if they can shock the world and get Alexander Ovechkin to leave Washington with an insane offer, but we’re trying not to be unrealistic. Gabriel Landeskog would be another great option, but he seems destined to stay in Colorado. One player who might not be destined to stay at the only team he’s ever known is Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.
The Devils would have to spend significantly to get Nugent-Hopkins in the building, however it might be worth it. He’s a proven talent that was a former number-one overall pick. Did he live up to that expectation? Probably not, but he’s supremely talented and is still just 28 years old (at the time free agency starts).
The Devils might have to hit $7 million to sign Nugent-Hopkins. Sounds like a bad idea for a player who has never hit 70 points despite playing with Connor McDavid. He actually played more with Leon Draisaitl last season, who ended up winning the Hart Trophy. He’d be a massive signing that could give Hughes the veteran winger that is still able to put up 25 goals on his own.
Nugent-Hopkins is a major risk, but he costs nothing in assets. The Devils don’t have to lose out on their 1st-round defenseman this year or a future that involves Dawson Mercer. He comes for the price of cap space, which the Devils expect to have in spades for at least the next three years.