New York Islanders: Hudson Fasching
Not a blockbuster, clearly. The New York Islanders have a plethora of players locked up long-term, and General Manager Lou Lamoriello has stated that he wants to “run it back” with this group that lost to the Carolina Hurricanes in the first round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs. With that being said, there aren’t many options for a Devils-Islanders trade, but how about a 27-year-old project with some offensive upside?
Hudson Fasching has the potential to be a late bloomer. Fasching scored 10 goals in just 49 games last season and has only 87 games of NHL experience under his belt. Assuming the cost for a 27-year-old with such little NHL experience is next to nothing, Fasching may be a decent idea for the Devils this summer. If he works out, great. If not, the Devils probably paid next to nothing for him, and it’s easy to move on.
Washington Capitals: Anthony Mantha
The Washington Capitals will be forced to make some tough decisions in the coming years after missing the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time in 8 seasons. With Alex Ovechkin under contract for three more years, a contract that will take him to the age of 40. The Capitals will likely make a run at the playoffs for three seasons before tearing it down completely, meaning a re-tool is imminent in Washington.
The Capitals are an aging team with minimal salary cap flexibility and may seek financial freedom by trading Anthony Mantha this summer. Mantha could be a solid fit for the Devils on the middle-six forward lines and likely will not come at a steep price after a few down years in terms of offensive output. Mantha scored 24 goals in the 2017-18 season, and 25 goals in the 2018-19 season, but has not reached those totals since.
Still 28, Mantha has time to find his offensive game again, and it could be much easier in New Jersey with the plethora of talent the Devils boast up front. As previously mentioned, the price for Mantha will be low, offering the Capitals a bit of salary relief by eating half of Mantha’s salary and throwing in a prospect should be able to get the deal done.