New Jersey Devils: CapFriendly Trade Proposals Prior To NHL Trade Deadline

Damon Severson #28 of the New Jersey Devils (Photo by Christopher Pasatieri/Getty Images)
Damon Severson #28 of the New Jersey Devils (Photo by Christopher Pasatieri/Getty Images)
5 of 6
New Jersey Devils
Brock Boeser #6 of the Vancouver Canucks (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

This one is obviously different than the other trades on the list. This is basically what it would look like for the Devils to be buyers at the trade deadline. The Devils would give up Ty Smith, Pavel Zacha, and a 2nd-round pick for Brock Boeser. This is a very intriguing deal. It takes two very young but frustrating players and a pick outside the 1st round to get a deal for Brock Boeser.

Boeser is an intriguing piece for the Devils because he’s a pure scorer, something the Devils could use. Boeser isn’t having his best season this year, putting up 30 points in 49 games. He has time to re-establish his value, but that’s neither here nor there.

This is a lot to give up for Boeser, but are the Devils really losing anything of that much value? Once upon a time, they spend a 1st-round pick on Zacha and Smith, but neither is playing like it at this point in their career. It’s entirely possible that Smith is having one of the worst sophomore slumps we’ve ever seen, and he might bounce back next season. Right now, the value doesn’t account for that.

The Devils and Canucks can make a deal around this. Would the Devils say yes to this? We think they would. It’s a risk, but one worth taking. Would the Canucks? It might be the right deal for the Canucks too. This might be the right deal.