What If New Jersey Devils Did Nothing This Offseason?
By Sam Woo
Stand pat. Be cheap and let things play out this offseason by having the New Jersey Devils do absolutely nothing! It would be a situation that would show the “rumors” are just that. The Devils have been tied to Johnny Gaudreau, Alex DeBrincat, J.T. Miller, and many more. Now, let’s imagine if they started their season without making a significant move this offseason.
In full disclosure, I am not advocating for the Devils to stay quiet this offseason. It would likely be a mistake. However, let’s think way outside of the box for a moment. While the Devils need to draft players plus tender offers to their RFAs (Jesper Bratt, Miles Wood, Jesper Boqvist, and Pavel Zacha), what would the Devils achieve if GM Tom Fitzgerald folded the cards now and waited until next offseason to make significant moves?
After all, the goalie market is average at best this offseason and you don’t want to mortgage the future via trade because teams know you’re getting desperate to find a netminder that can last the entire season without injury.
Regardless, Mackenzie Blackwood will probably have one more opportunity to showcase his talents, but he needs to get real results consistently. It was not too long ago when Team Canada was giving Mack Black a hard look on making the Olympic roster. But, injuries and off-the-ice issues derailed his chances along with subpar performances that did not help his case.
At this point, I wouldn’t even consider Jonathan Bernier coming back from hip surgery. His ridiculous AAV salary will help the team get to the cap floor. Let Andrew Hammond and Jon Gillies go and have Nico Daws and Akira Schmid battle for a spot to be alongside Blackwood in training camp.
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Defensively, P.K. Subban and Colton White would be off the books and free to go find greener pastures. You would still have the core four of Dougie Hamilton, Damon Severson, Ryan Graves, and Jonas Siegenthaler to rely on from last season. The big question mark and variable is Ty Smith. He had a great freshman season and the proverbial sophomore slump. Smith needs to prove he belongs at this level and hopefully turns it around like he did when he was sent back down to Major Juniors in 2019 to figure it out. But, he will need ice time and use his instincts without overthinking every play. He better because there are prospects like Kevin Bahl, Reilly Walsh, Shakir Mukhamadullin, and Nikita Okhotuk that are ready to become regulars on the Devils’ blue line come October.
The Devils’ offense will have a more experienced Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier while Bratt will have to improve on his career year last season. Dawson Mercer was a surprise bright spot and the Devils’ most durable player at the age of 19. Fabian Zetterlund made a good impression but it was a small sample size. Andreas Johnsson and Tomas Tatar will be in a contract year. The BMW Line will be back. Will Yegor Sharangovich and Janne Kuokkanen find their chemistry and magic? Will the Devils add their future first-round pick to the roster on opening night?
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The Devils need to add two new assistant coaches and they will be tasked to improve the special teams and defense. Without making any blockbuster moves, like overpaying UFA Johnny Gaudreau in order to entice him to the never-ending rebuild in the Garden State, the Devils would save their ammunition of assets for a better market next season while concurrently letting their young team grow up some more if they go status quo.
By doing nothing, it wouldn’t be a sexy offseason that diehard Devils fans would hope for. But I am sure that Harris Blitzer Sports Entertainment’s big bank account would be appreciative!