New Jersey Devils: 3 Free Agents Who Can Replace Damon Severson
With the departure of Damon Severson, the New Jersey Devils might look for a veteran defenseman to replace him on the roster. Since the organization hopes to nail down long-term contracts with Jesper Bratt and Timo Meier, they couldn’t afford Severson. His departure makes room for young talents like Luke Hughes and Simon Nemec. The Devils also have prospects Reilly Walsh, Seamus Casey (unsigned) and Daniil Misyul in the mix. Pending UFA defenseman Ryan Graves is also unlikely to return in 2023-24.
Luke Hughes is a lock for next season’s roster and can replace Graves’ role. Simon Nemec will aim to show he’s NHL-ready in the preseason. While it’s clear Nemec has a bright future, in case he won’t be ready to assume his future role, the Devils might want one more defenseman. General manager Tom Fitzgerald might explore options via trades or free agency. With four left-handed defensemen on the roster, he’d likely be looking for a right-handed shooter.
Even if the Devils lock up Bratt and Meier, there would be enough cap space to sign a UFA veteran defenseman. While the Devils have some room, it might not make sense to go after the best available right-handers like Matt Dumba or John Klingberg. With Nemec on the rise and other defensemen locked down for several years, signing someone to a big, long contract like Severson got in the sign-and-trade with the Columbus Blue Jackets wouldn’t be the best move. The Devils could look at some names in the middle of the pack.
Here are three possible veteran defensemen the Devils could target in free agency.
UFA defenseman option: 1. Connor Clifton
Gritty defenseman Connor Clifton took a long route to get to the NHL. Drafted in the fifth round in 2013 by the Phoenix (now Arizona) Coyotes, Clifton went unsigned out of college. He played four seasons with Quinnipiac University before signing with the Providence Bruins, the AHL affiliate of the Boston Bruins, in 2017.
Clifton then signed an NHL contract with the Bruins the following season and has been with the organization ever since. He’s coming off a three-year, $3 million deal with the Bruins. Clifton was slow to breakout but is finally showing what he’s capable of.
28 year old Clifton is a solid depth piece who is effective on the penalty kill and has significantly matured in his play over the past few years. During the 2023-23 season, he had 18 assists, blocked 120 shots, and had a 20 +/-. Considering the Devils were criticized this past season for a lack of physicality, they could use Clifton’s aggressiveness and willingness to use his body. In 2022-23, Clifton made 208 hits.
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This time around, Clifton will get more than his previous $1 million cap hit, but he’ll still be in an affordable range. With the departure of Damon Severson and the likely departure of Ryan Graves, the Devils will need to revamp their penalty kill. Clifton could slot into the PK. Although he doesn’t totally match Severson’s skills, he would be a strong replacement. Coming from the Bruins who just had a 65-win season but fell short in the first round of the playoffs, Clifton could be thrilled to land with a team like the Devils, who also had a fantastic season and have a bright future.
Notably, Clifton was born and raised in Monmouth County, New Jersey, so the Devils have their location as a selling point. In his 2023 exit interview, Clifton said he’s happy in Boston. If the Bruins pass on him, could the Devils run at a hometown boy? It’s certainly worth a shot, although he might deserve a longer contract than the Devils are willing to offer. Clifton isn’t the most talented pending UFA defenseman, but he’s a solid third-liner a team can count on. Landing Clifton could make the Devils an even stronger defensive team.
UFA defenseman option: 2. Kevin Shattenkirk
Kevin Shattenkirk is a journeyman who has played for six different NHL teams during his career. He was drafted and signed by the Colorado Avalanche. Shattenkirk is coming off a three-year $11.7 million contract with the Anaheim Ducks. He won the Stanley Cup with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2020. At 34 years old, he’s in the late stage of his career but still has plenty to give as a depth option.
Shattenkirk has great instincts and can move the puck. He can be counted on to get the puck into the offensive zone and pick up assists. Shattenkirk is not as physical as Clifton, which is a downside for the Devils, considering they currently lack physicality. He’s excellent on the power play and useful on the penalty kill. Shattenkirk limits his opponents’ chances. During the 2022-23 regular season, Shattenkirk blocked 115 shots, contributed 23 assists, and made 79 hits. His -20 +/- had more to do with the Ducks as a team than with his individual performance.
It’s possible Shattenkirk will work out an extension with the Ducks. However, he might want to make a run at another Cup. The Devils have tried to land Shattenkirk before; former GM Ray Shero targeted him in free agency in 2017. Ultimately, he signed with the New York Rangers, as a New Yorker who grew up a Rangers fan. His time in New York really didn’t work out, though, ending in a buyout due to poor production and injuries.
Shattenkirk is a good fit if the Devils are looking for a veteran with playoff experience and leadership skills. He’s more similar to Severson than Clifton is. With his age and with young defensemen knocking on the door, a short-term contract is ideal. Shattenkirk could be a strong addition to the blueline if the Devils are looking for a stopgap.
UFA defenseman option: 3. Justin Holl
Shutdown defenseman Justin Holl gets the puck out of the defensive zone. He had a similar route to the NHL as Connor Clifton, taking longer to develop and make an impact than others. Holl was drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks in 2010 but never signed an entry-level contract with them. After four years of NCAA hockey, Holl signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs. It took time before Holl became a fixture in an NHL lineup, spending significant time in the AHL and nearly a full season of healthy scratches in the NHL. Holl just finished a three-year $6 million deal with the Leafs.
Holl is effective on the penalty kill, which is a plus for the Devils. Holl saw more time on the Leafs’ PK than any other defender this past season. He hits opponents but isn’t known for his physicality despite being a big guy. In 2022-23, Holl contributed 16 assists, had a +/- of 15, blocked 139 shots, and made 151 hits. Blocked shots and hits were career-high numbers, although he played more games in 2022-23 than ever before. Holl’s offensive production dipped from the previous two seasons, where he had more points in fewer games, but he’s more known for shutdown defense.
Much like Clifton, Holl isn’t the most talented superstar on a roster, but he’s a grinder. Holl has received a lot of criticism in Toronto, though. Yahoo! Sports referred to Holl as “a punching bag for the fanbase,” which is familiar territory for Damon Severson. While some of the hate is unwarranted, Holl was rightfully criticized for poor play in the 2023 playoffs. He was on the ice for a lot of goals against in situations where he didn’t get his job done.
At 31, Holl has plenty of hockey still ahead of him. He has expressed interest in remaining in Toronto, but he could be a casualty of the salary cap, and it also sounds like he needs a change of scenery. The Maple Leafs have a crowded blueline, and the organization is reportedly hoping to re-sign Luke Schenn. While Schenn is also righty, he belongs on the top defensive line, and that’s not really what the Devils need. Perhaps a two-year deal with a slight raise over his previous salary could work for Holl and the Devils.
Next. Severson's Timeline as a Devil. dark
If the Devils decide to pick up one more defenseman via free agency, one of these three players would be a solid choice for the organization.