Pucks and Pitchforks
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New Jersey Devils: 5 Moves That Would Unnecessarily Speed Up Rebuild

By Nick Villano

Nico Hischier #13 of the New Jersey Devils (2nd from left) celebrates his game-tying goal at 5:30 of the third period against the New York Rangers and is joined by P.K. Subban #76, Nolan Foote #25, Ty Smith #24 and Nicholas Merkley #39 at the Prudential Center on April 18, 2021 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
Nico Hischier #13 of the New Jersey Devils (2nd from left) celebrates his game-tying goal at 5:30 of the third period against the New York Rangers and is joined by P.K. Subban #76, Nolan Foote #25, Ty Smith #24 and Nicholas Merkley #39 at the Prudential Center on April 18, 2021 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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New Jersey Devils
New Jersey Devils goaltender Scott Wedgewood (41): (Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports) /

Re-sign Ryan Murray, two years $4 million
Re-sign Scott Wedgewood, one year $750,000

The Devils are criminally over the salary cap right now. They’ve added more than $46 million in salary without losing one contract that wasn’t entry level, but they still need to find a way to make this work. So, they have to move past the backup goalie position by re-signing Scott Wedgewood, who’s actually been really good at times this season. Most fans would be happy to bring him in as Blackwood’s backup, but they also know that means Blackwood can’t be inconsistent next season.

Ryan Murray has been playing better since he slotted back into the lineup. He’s worth a new contract, which is probably why the Devils didn’t trade him at the trade deadline. There clearly wasn’t a deal that made sense for the Devils, so it makes more sense to sign the asset to a two-year extension. Two years at $4 million total is a pretty significant pay cut for Murray, but he’s probably not going to get much more in the offseason.

These two fill crucial roles lower in the Devils lineup. The backup goalie has been a major issue, which is why the Devils spent big to bring in Corey Crawford this offseason. Wedgewood ended up being a really calming presence back there. Right now, the Devils are weirdly using Aaron Dell as their backup even though Wedgewood has been much better. Murray gives them some really solid defensive play most of the time.

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