3 Devastating Decisions New Jersey Devils Must Avoid This Offseason

3. Another Big Money Free Agent

The Devils have given out huge contracts for the past two seasons, trying to get the big first in free agency. Last season, they tried to get Johnny Gaudreau, but they settled for Ondrej Palat. The season before, they signed Dougie Hamilton for a $9 million AAV.

We touched on this in the goalie slide, but the Devils should not be giving out big-money contracts this season. For one, they really can’t afford another long-term deal when they sign Meier and Bratt. Plus, this is a bad free agent crop. Players like Patrick Kane and Vladimir Tarasenko are going to make money on name value alone. Also, the Devils would pay a “former Rangers” tax to take them across the Hudson River.

Then, there’s Michael Bunting, who might still get himself a very lucrative deal after a successful season in Toronto. Max Pacioretty, Ryan O’Reilly, and James van Riemsdyk all fit into what the Devils probably want, but they will ask for more than a one-year deal, which is what the Devils should provide.

The Devils should be looking at high-upside free agents willing to take a one-year deal. Players like Gustav Nyquist, Sean Monahan, and other players either coming off injury or looking to refurbish their careers. However, even giving one of the players on the market term beyond two years is a major mistake that could cost them. Just look at the Barclay Goodrow contract in New York. The Devils must avoid that, especially with Palat’s contract sneaking into scary territory very quickly.