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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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New Jersey Devils
Toronto Maple Leafs goalie Jack Campbell (36): Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /

Jack Campbell – Toronto Maple Leafs

The Toronto Maple Leafs looked phenomenal in their first playoff game against the Tampa Bay Lightning. They destroyed the defending champs to the tune of 5-0 in the home opener. Toronto is flying high, and they are hoping the demons of the first round have finally subsided. However, it is just the first game, but what a first game by Jack Campbell.

The Maple Leafs had major issues in net at times this year, but it seems like Campbell has figured it out. He returned from injury in April and put up a .915 save percentage. In October and November, Campbell was one of the best goalies in the NHL. Then, he fell off a cliff. Seeing him find his form again at the end of the season is incredibly important for him as the Leafs finally look to have a postseason run with this core now in their primes.

If Campbell actually makes the run, it’s hard to think the Leafs let him go, but we’ve come all this way and he doesn’t have a contract yet. The Leafs paid Petr Mrazek $11.4 million over three years, and he’s in the first year of that deal. The buyout is actually a really good option for the Leafs, saving them $2.76 million next season and $2.9 million in the year after. That seems like a likely option as the Leafs look to bring back Campbell.

However, if Campbell does go on a run, it could motivate the Devils to give him an offer he can’t refuse. If the Devils think he’s the answer, and all he costs is cap hit and money, then the Devils might be willing to break the bank after a big run.

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