New Jersey Devils: What Happens To Damon Severson After John Marino Trade?
Damon Severson should be a New Jersey Devil for life. The 2012 second-round pick is the longest tenured Devil since making his debut during the 2014-15 season. He caught a lot of people by surprise by how well he played as a rookie at 20 years old and has been with the Devils through the last eight seasons. He has gotten better every year that has gone by no matter what the fans perception of him may be. Severson set a career high in points this past season with 46. He’s someone that will be a second pair defenseman and veteran that should be here when the Devils start to be competitive again.
The real question is: will he be here this time next year?
The Devils acquired John Marino from the Pittsburgh Penguins for Ty Smith and a 2023 third round pick in a move that solidifies the Devils right side of the defense. With P.K. Subban leaving in free agency, the last right-handed defense slot was wide open. Simon Nemec should be in Utica this year unless he explodes onto the scene and convinces people he is ready. Reilly Walsh needs another year in the AHL and should be a future sixth or seventh defensemen.
Past Nemec and Walsh, the right handed defenseman depth is non-existent. This is a trade that works for the Devils and gives them a bonafide NHL defenseman who is locked up for the next five years.
With that being said, Severson is entering the last year of his six year contract that he signed back in 2017. Above Severson in the depth chart is Dougie Hamilton, who is going on year two of his seven year contract he signed last offseason. Hamilton’s first year in New Jersey was riddled with injuries and did not live up to expectations. He is slated to have a massive rebound year this upcoming season. With Hamilton and Marino locked up for the next five years and Simon Nemec being the second-overall pick in last months draft, where does this leave Severson in the Devils future plans?
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The left side of the defense is also interesting. Ryan Graves, who was acquired prior to last season, is also entering the last year of his contract. Jonas Siegenthaler is also entering the last year of his contract, however he will be a restricted free agent. Graves and Severson will be unrestricted free agents. The way Siegenthaler has fit the Devils system and his highly underrated defensive play, Siegenthaler will be in line for a long-term extension. Luke Hughes is poised to come to the professional level after this next season at Michigan. With only Siegenthaler and Hughes involved in the long term plans, is there a way to have four right handed shot defensemen if one of them is willing to move to the left side?
The Devils will have over $30million in cap space next season after Jesper Bratt agrees to a deal, so the contract Severson will get should not be a problem. The only problem is, where will he fit? If the Devils can play Marino on the left side and extend Severson, that would be the best case scenario. A defensive core in the long term consisting of Severson, Hamilton, Marino, Siegenthaler, Nemec, and Hughes is nothing to scoff at. That core has playoffs written all over it. Remove Severson from that you are missing a large veteran presence.
When the Devils won the Stanley Cup in 1995, it was extra special for players like Ken Daneyko and John Maclean. Two players that were with the franchise during their darkest years. Damon Severson should be someone like that. He has been here throughout the rebuild during the 2010s and has shown nothing but class and professionalism. Unlike many players that come and go in New Jersey, it has been reported in the past that Severson wants to stay in New Jersey and see this thing through. That is very rare for a player who is in the prime of their career, to want to stay with a team that may not compete for a few more years. With Severson, that timeline speeds up. Without him, they probably take two or three steps back.
Severson has shown his loyalty to the Devils and the fans. It is time for the fans to realize that Severson should be a Devil for life and he is not a bad player at all. Sure, when he makes mistakes they are noticeable. However, the good he provides out weighs the bad immensely. The veteran leadership he provides and how loyal he has been to this team makes him someone to appreciate and keep around for the long term.
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If Severson can give the Devils another eight years of how he has performed, there is a legitimate chance that he becomes that all time leader in games played, passing the legendary Ken Daneyko. Severson currently sits at 566 games. That is with two shortened seasons. He should have more games on his resume and is still well on his way to 1,283. The last question is, will the Devils show the same loyalty to Severson as he has shown to them. Only time will tell if Severson will be a Devil for life.