New Jersey Devils: 5 Deals To Win Trade Deadline

The Devils found a really good asset in Dmitry Kulikov this offseason. He’s been one of the better defensemen on the team, and he’s really done a lot to help fix P.K. Subban‘s game. He’s going to be a desirable asset at the trade deadline, as players like Mattias Ekholm and Alex Edler might come off the list.

Obviously, the Jets had Kulikov last season and they let him go to New Jersey. It would be strange to turn around and trade a pretty good prospect in Dylan Samberg and a pick to get him back, but stranger things have happened. The Jets could use help on the left side, and Samberg is not ready to be that help despite being 22 years old.

The Devils could take another chance on a very talented defenseman. Between Vaakanainen, Samberg, Bahl, Reilly Walsh, Nikita Okhotiuk, Michael Vukojevic, and whoever they take in the 1st round this season, they have a lot of lottery tickets in the prospect pool on the defensive side. One has to think this would give them enough shots on the blue line that they would find enough to bring the defensive talent level closer to the offense.

Maybe the 3rd-round pick is a little rich for the Jets, who will be in on much bigger names on the market. Maybe the Devils can give them a 2022 5th-round pick, so it just ends up being a trade up. The Jets have two 3rd rounders in the 2022 NHL Draft. Plus, they have Ville Heinola who is the star prospect on the left side of the defense, which makes Samberg a little more expendable. Remember, this is looking for a winning deadline for the Devils here. Maybe this one is a little too dreamy.

This could also work for Ryan Murray. If the Jets would rather have the former 2nd-overall pick, the Devils would be thrilled with a package of a prospect and a pick. They might even accept one or the other.