New Jersey Devils: 5 Deals To Win Trade Deadline

Alright, this one is off the charts crazy, and maybe it’s not enough, but the Columbus Blue Jackets have tanked Patrik Laine’s value this season. The Devils can put lottery protections on the pick so it doesn’t end up being a number-one overall pick. They would get a 1st-round pick back, so it’s basically just a trade-up for Columbus.

Both Laine and Miles Wood have term on their contract. Wood is a player who feels like he really fits into John Tortorella’s system. He’s having his best season, and his value is at an all-time high. The Devils should look to capitalize on that value.

Jarmo Kekäläinen is not a dumb GM. He knows that despite the issues with Laine, he is still a very valuable forward. Tom Fitzgerald might know the value he currently has on his hands, however. He has a ton of prospects who are close to NHL ready, so losing Nick Merkley won’t hurt. Trading down in the 1st round with a team that isn’t really a Cup contender isn’t likely to crush the value of the draft pick, especially in a bad draft year. Gritsyuk is a nice prospect, but during his best showing, he got hurt and missed the rest of the World Junior Championships.

This is a lot to trade away for a player who hasn’t worked in Columbus, but the Devils are getting desperate for legitimate scoring wingers to pair with Jack Hughes. They can’t keep putting glue guys on his line and expect him to excel. He already lost a lot of progress after he got COVID-19, so they need to find a way to get his confidence back up and frustration level down. Getting a player who fits the system, fits the timeline, can make plays on his own and can finish Hughes’ chances feels like a no-brainer. A huge price to pay in the 1st-round pick, but put lottery protections on it to mitigate the risk.