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

Sam Bennett

Despite acquiring Erik Haula in an offseason trade with the Boston Bruins, the Devils still have some issues at the center position.

Michael McLeod reprised his role as a top choice penalty killer, faceoff taker and the 4th line center to begin the 2022-23 season, but played just 10 minutes against the Philadelphia Flyers in the season opener. Then, in the home opener against the Detroit Red Wings, McLeod played just 3:59 in total. 2:02 of those minutes came from just four shifts at even strength.

If the Devils are serious about fielding their best roster every night and building a winning team, that team cannot include the one-dimensional and ineffective McLeod.

Meanwhile, in Sunrise, Florida, 2014 4th-overall pick Sam Bennett was one of many Florida Panthers who broke out in a major way under current Devils associate coach Andrew Brunette.

Bennett was widely regarded as a draft bust before potting a career-high 28 goals and 49 points under Brunette, who was the Panthers’ interim head coach in 2021-22. Bennett’s 21-22 average ice time of 16:57 was nearly two minutes higher than his previous career high of 15:09 set in his first full NHL season in Calgary in 2015-16, at the age of 19. Bennett is a key contributor on the power play and has also never made fewer than 100 hits in any full season he’s played in.

Bennett’s current contract is very reasonable, with an AAV of $4.425m. Bringing in the late bloomer shouldn’t cost an arm and a leg, considering Florida’s own issues on the blueline and cap situation. For the Devils, Bennett’s addition means having four centers capable of playing at a high level at both ends of the ice and being able to roll all four lines – a must for any team with aspirations of winning a Stanley Cup.