The New Jersey Devils are embroiled in some of the biggest trade rumors in the league. It all started with Timo Meier, who quickly became the biggest trade piece on the market. Meier is a game-changer who comes with control as he will be a restricted free agent this offseason. However, the price for Meier is going to be astronomical. Maybe the Devils will look at a different trade option, with Meier’s cost going off the charts.
The Vancouver Canucks are always the next option on the board. We’ve heard about players like J.T. Miller and Bo Horvat in the past, but they are both off the table and signed to insane deals (one with the New York Islanders). The Canucks still have a ton of assets, although they are not fitting into a winning culture. At one point, the Canucks looked like they were going to be a Stanley Cup contender with their incredible core. It never worked out, and the bottom fell out.
There are some insane trade options between the Devils and Canucks. However, there’s one that seems to be a little more normal. Let’s start with that one.
Brock Boeser has been tied to the Devils for years. It’s hit a fever pitch the past few weeks. Boeser and the Devils make some sense, but Boeser hasn’t been the same player since his injuries. He isn’t the scorer he once was. Still, he is just 25 years old, he has more than 20 goals in most of his seasons, and he’s signed for two more years beyond this one. That would be a detriment in most cases, but the Canucks must retain salary to make it work anyway. If they can make this contract closer to $4 million per season, that would be closer to Boeser’s value.
The Canucks could add Ethan Bear, who the team traded for as a Hail Mary earlier this season. He’s actually been good for the Canucks. He leads the entire team (of players who have at least five games played) in high-danger chances percentage. Bear has been a really good bottom-of-the-lineup defenseman.
The Devils are sending their version of Bear in Kevin Bahl. Bahl has had trouble sticking in the lineup this season, but now the Canucks can give him a little more rope. Nolan Foote is a decent prospect who can definitely be a middle-six forward with a little more seasoning. Miles Wood helps make the contracts work, and he’s an intriguing player that teams want. It’s a trade that makes a lot of sense if the Devils miss out on Meier.