Pucks and Pitchforks
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7 Free Agents New Jersey Devils Should Watch In Stanley Cup Playoffs

By Nick Villano

Ville Husso #35 of the St. Louis Blues looks on against the Minnesota Wild in the first period in Game One of the First Round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Xcel Energy Center on May 2, 2022 in St Paul, Minnesota. The Blues defeated the Wild 4-0 to take a 1-0 series lead. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
Ville Husso #35 of the St. Louis Blues looks on against the Minnesota Wild in the first period in Game One of the First Round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Xcel Energy Center on May 2, 2022 in St Paul, Minnesota. The Blues defeated the Wild 4-0 to take a 1-0 series lead. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images) /
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Pittsburgh Penguins
Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Bryan Rust (17): Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports /

Bryan Rust – Pittsburgh Penguins

Not all of the players the Devils will target are going to be superstars, but Bryan Rust is a really interesting player to target. He currently plays on the first line with Sidney Crosby and Jake Guentzel, one of the best pairs in the National Hockey League. That’s helped him put up 58 points in 60 games this season.

Rust proved he can keep up with a top-line on a top team, but he can make a name for himself in the playoffs this season. Rust is the type of player that can play the hero in the postseason, and then turn that into a big contract with a new team. Most teams understand it helps to play with Crosby and Guentzel, but it would also help to play with Jack Hughes or Jesper Bratt.

Rust might be the right player to add to the top six for the Devils. Most fans want someone like Gaudreau or a trade for Vladimir Tarasenko, but Rust might be the right move for the price.

Rust won’t come cheap, but he could still be the right move at the right time. He’s someone who has proven he can play on a top line, the Devils have similar players to Crosby and Guentzel on their top line, just much younger and without the pedigree, experience, and championships. If Rust can continue to contribute like he did when he was healthy this season, then it could be something the Devils really consider.

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