New Jersey Devils: 5 Prospects Who Shouldn’t Be Touched At NHL Trade Deadline
By Nick Villano
The New Jersey Devils are where they have been in years past. They are looking to make moves for the future at the NHL Trade Deadline. It’s an unfortunate situation that came from a series of terrible circumstances that led to the Devils fighting to stay out of the basement in the Metropolitan Division.
It has happened more times than not over the past few seasons. The Devils have been one of the worst teams in the league every year over the past three, which means between selling at the trade deadline and picking high in the NHL draft, the Devils prospect pool is stacked. Now, that is mostly a good thing, but they could be facing a negative soon. It could lead to a logjam when it comes to prospects trying to make the NHL. It’s definitely not a problem right now, but it could become a problem eventually.
The New Jersey Devils shouldn’t consider moving any of these prospects.
This is probably why the Devils have been tied to some “hockey trades” looking more to helping the team now and in the future over just making trades to get younger pieces. The Devils are already the youngest team in the NHL, and they have 14 players on the roster under the age of 25. That includes the current top center (Jack Hughes, 20), second-line center and captain (Nico Hischier, 23) starting goalie (Nico Daws, 21), top winger (Jesper Bratt, 23), and so many other major contributors who are still incredibly young.
Because of the youth of the roster, the Devils might be more willing to part with a talented prospect than in years past. In most situations, a team near the basement wouldn’t even consider moving a prospect at the deadline, but the Devils aren’t a normal seller. They want to make moves that help them in the future. They did something similar last season when they traded for Jonas Siegenthaler, giving the Washington Capitals a 3rd-round pick.
Meanwhile, the Devils have prospects other teams will covet in moves if they want a piece like a Brock Boeser from Vancouver. However, there are certain prospects they should take off the table. Which prospects should the Devils consider untouchable?