New Jersey Devils: 5 Trade Targets Who Could Turn This Ship Around

*Sigh*

The New Jersey Devils look like the exact same team they were at the end of the 2021-22 season, which ended just over five months ago. The forwards dominate the game’s share of shot attempts and scoring chances, but only score a few of them while the defense continues to blow assignments and the goalies let in low-quality shots from bad locations. With all the resources allocated to perceived issues during the offseason, one would think that most of these issues would have been resolved, but after the first few games of the year, it’s looking more and more like a band-aid fix than a permanent one. But it isn’t too late – yet.

Through their first two games, the Devils have been bullied around the boards, lost a ton of battles in the crease, and haven’t generated any A+ scoring chances – the offensive strategy and chance creation have been predictable for the opposition. The team desperately needs a bigger body with skill, after missing out on (or perhaps not pursuing at all) Andrew Copp and Mason Marchment.

The Devils would have a hard time finding good value for a player like that from any team with aspirations to compete for a Stanley Cup this year. But, despite their struggles, there are still a plethora of options coming from rebuilders and teams that are cap-crunched both this year and going forward.

Editor’s Note: we understand the cap complications for trades of any size, but we’re assuming all deals would come with equal money going both ways or a third team to facilitate the deal.

Lawson Crouse

Arizona Coyotes left wing Lawson Crouse finally enjoyed a breakout season in the desert, six years after being drafted 11th overall in 2015 by the Florida Panthers. Crouse was traded to Arizona without playing a game for the Panthers, and recently parlayed his 300+ games of NHL experience and steady development into a 5-year, $21m ($4.3m AAV) contract extension with the Yotes.

https://twitter.com/NHL/status/1213661842125524994?s=20&t=Iwq2saFWUD2sYpWtcLeuYw

In 2021-22, Crouse’s average ice time jumped up three minutes to 17:26 over 65 games played while playing on both the penalty kill and power-play, shattering his previous career high of 14:18. Crouse also scored 20 goals for the first time in his professional career on a terrible team, and started 58% of his shifts in the defensive zone. In addition, Crouse has laid 100+ hits in each of the last 4 seasons, and has had as many as 288 in a season (2018-19).

However, Crouse is now 25 years old and doesn’t quite fit the timeline of the rebuilding Coyotes squad. If the Devils can dangle the right combination of picks, players or prospects in front of Bill Armstrong and the Coyotes, Crouse can be had.