Decision #4: Dealing with Andreas Johnsson and Tomas Tatar
The Devils will go into next season with both Andreas Johnsson and Tomas Tatar on the final years of their deal. Johnsson came to the Devils with three years left on his deal, and Tatar signed a two-year deal this past offseason. They are both making more money than they probably earned this season, but that’s not really the point. They can absolutely earn their contract if they perform when the team isn’t steeped in last place thanks to all of the goalies getting injured.
There were quiet rumors the Devils were willing to part with one or both this year if a team wanted them. Johnsson is someone who could be useful to the goals of the Arizona Coyotes, who are playing for Connor Bedard in 2022-23. Johnsson could help them get to the cap floor if the Coyotes want to revamp the roster next season. Phil Kessel might leave, and Jakob Chychrun is almost a lock to leave the franchise. Who else might be out the door? That’s a question the Devils also have to ask themselves.
Johnsson and Tatar could bounce back next season, but where do they fit as the Devils are currently constructed? Let’s pretend the Devils are definitely adding Alex Holtz and one of Nolan Foote and Tyce Thompson to the forward group next season. That leaves the Devils with 15 NHL forwards. That’s without adding anyone. It seems like there is going to be an odd man out.
The Devils just need to reshuffle the roster, and they might need to add a pick to one of these players to lose them. It doesn’t have to be a significant pick, but losing the pick might be better in the long run than losing more cap space. A Tatar buyout actually isn’t that bad (a $1 million price tag in 2023-24), but is that really what the Devils want to do? Sign a big free agent then cut him the year after? It’s a decision Fitz has to make with the future of the franchise in mind.