2 Penguins Superstars That The New Jersey Devils Should Consider
The New Jersey Devils had a rough season in 2021-22. They had a lot of negativity surrounding them from the fanbase because of how bad things got after a promising start. While battling COVID-19, injuries, and mediocre to bad play all season long, there were some positives to look at.
Jack Hughes, Nico Hischier, and Jesper Bratt lifted this team up offensively when they were healthy. There were some other good performances throughout the year but these three led the way. We can only hope that they build on this in 2022-23.
The defense was very mediocre but there is a chance that they take another step in 2022-23 as well. Ty Smith was awful in his second year which happens to a lot of guys before they make another jump in year three.
Dougie Hamilton was really good until he hurt his jaw. Following that, he looked like a guy who just needed the season to end so he can gear up for the next year. It will be interesting to see who on defense steps up to help these guys get this team going.
Goaltending is the biggest problem on this team right now. We all of the sudden don’t know if Mackenzie Blackwood can be the guy after going into the season thinking he can be a Team Canada guy. Now, they might need to add another good goalie.
The New Jersey Devils should consider adding some help in all areas of the ice.
There are also some good prospects in the organization in addition to this year’s second overall pick. With all of these guys coming along, they might consider adding some veteran leadership back to the group.
The Pittsburgh Penguins are a team that has done a lot of winning over the last decade or so. Their star power is the biggest reason for that. However, some of those guys are unrestricted free agents now. If New Jersey wanted to consider adding a veteran with experience like that, they could choose from one of these two:
. FWD. Pittsburgh Penguins. Evgeni Malkin. 71. player. 92
The New Jersey Devils should consider adding someone like Evgeni Malkin.
The New Jersey Devils are a team that has a lot of talent at the forward position. Now, they could use a veteran to help them all reach their potential. Evgeni Malkin is someone that has done it all in his NHL career and is probably a top-20 player who ever lived.
If he came to this team, he would provide so much value. He missed half of the 2021-22 season because of an offseason surgery, but he was sensational when he returned. He might not be the 100-point guy that he once was, but his 20 goals and 22 assists for over a point per game played was really nice.
He is someone who has spent most of his career playing center. If he came to New Jersey, playing center would mean that they run Hughes, Hischier, and Malkin as a 1-2-3 punch. However, being on the same team as Sidney Crosby meant that he could play wing in desperate times along with on the power play.
In fact, he would even play the point on the power play along with one of their true defenseman because of his ability to move the puck and take big shots. In addition to these skills, he has won the Stanley Cup three times and has also won the Conn Smythe Trophy as the MVP of the playoffs. Adding a leader like this would really help the New Jersey Devils out.
. D. Pittsburgh Penguins. Kris Letang. 58. player. 92
Kris Letang would be a perfect fit for the New Jersey Devils in 2022-23.
The New Jersey Devils are not going to have PK Subban making over $9 million against their salary cap in 2022-23. They had a lot of cap flexibility even with him on the roster but now there is even more. Because of that, they should consider someone like Kris Letang.
Like Malkin, Letang was a huge part of the Pittsburgh Penguins core that had so much success. He has also won the Stanley Cup three times with them. He is a defenseman who can change the game with his offensive abilities.
He has also shown the ability to play the game with a bit of an edge. One of New Jersey’s biggest problems in 2021-22 is that they were soft. Kris Letang would help change that as he is anything but soft.
With Dougie Hamilton, Ty Smith, Damon Severson, Ryan Graves, and Jonas Siegenthaler amongst a few others in the mix for 2022-23, Letang would be a perfect fit. He has all of the experience needed to help take this group to the next level.
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We have no idea if the Devils are going to pursue free agents like this or stand pat but it is something to consider. You would think that the Penguins do whatever they can to get these two resigned but you just never know anymore.