Pucks and Pitchforks Official Trade Deadline Predictions

The NHL Trade Deadline is just over a week away and the New Jersey Devils are solidified as sellers. They’re three games below hockey .500 and nine points out of a playoff position. There are 21 games left as of this writing, and that just seems like too big a hill to climb when the Boston Bruins have six games left with the Buffalo Sabres. So, with so many pieces up for grabs, we talk to all the Pucks and Pitchforks writers about what they think might happen at the deadline. Here’s what they have to say about the major players, starting with the biggest piece that could come with the biggest prize.

Kyle Palmieri

Nick Villano: Kyle Palmieri’s limited no-trade clause is going to cause some issues for the Devils since the Canadian teams are going to be the most aggressive at the trade deadline, but there are teams that will pay for Palmieri. My prediction is he goes for a package that most people are okay with. A strange team is going to come out of nowhere similar to how the Arizona Coyotes did for Taylor Hall. Vegas maybe? The Devils could get their 2nd-round pick back that they lost in the Nikita Gusev trade.

Vinnie Parise: Kyle Palmieri is a guy who should get traded. It would net the Devils the most in return out of anyone on the roster. He could really help an organization with Stanley Cup aspirations with scoring depth. The Boston Bruins make the most sense for him.

David Lebovitz: A small chunk of hockey Twitter has taken to calling Palmieri “Future Bruin Kyle Palmieri.” I can’t picture what a return would look like, but they’ve certainly got the assets to do it. That said, there’s a compelling case for the Islanders – they need a proven scorer with Anders Lee out, and proximity to both Andy Greene and Cory Schneider could be a selling point. Also, Lou Lamoriello helped acquire Palmieri for the Devils, even if he bolted a month after the trade.

Charlie Borges Jr.: The Devils would benefit by keeping Palmieri long term. He has been one of the best additions the team has had in recent memory and deserves an extension. However, he will be in his mid-30s by the time his next deal is done, which won’t fit the Devils’ mold. Palmieri will be traded to the New York Islanders with the Devils retaining half of his salary for a 1st-round pick and a mid-level prospect.

Rob DeLuca: This trade should have happened last season when he was at peak value. However, his recent string of goal scoring is allowing his stock to rise once again. The Devils should be able to salvage a pretty good trade for him. He will definitely be missed.

Andy Studna: Unfortunately, the Jersey boy’s time is up in red and black. Pierre LeBrun reported last week on Insider Trading that the Devils and Kyle Palmieri were not close on an extension as of then. I truly believe Palmieri is having a down year and will be back to himself next season, so I would like the Devils to hang onto him. However, since it appears the six-year Devil is not close to terms on an extension, he will get dealt. He was linked to Boston around the deadline last year, so he’ll get dealt there this time around at a 50% retained salary along with a 2021 3rd-round pick for fellow winger (and also struggling) Jake DeBrusk.