The New Jersey Devils have resisted the urge to make a move for a superstar goalie. However, as the free agency board dwindles, the trade option is wide open.
All we’ve heard about the New Jersey Devils over the past few weeks is how they will be in the market for a goalie. Obviously, the conversation has surrounded Connor Hellebuyck and John Gibson. They are the two options that made it pretty clear they want to play for another team next season.
One of those options the Devils should avoid completely. The other, the Devils might avoid if the price hasn’t gone down. Tom Fitzgerald has been known to use his assets (years worth of quality prospects and future picks) to get the right mix of stars and complimentary players in the fold. That’s how he got Timo Meier at the trade deadline, and that’s how he traded for Tyler Toffoli right before the NHL Draft.
Now, it seems the only real hole on the roster is in net, and that’s not really a hole. Vitek Vanecek was a really good regular season goalie. Akira Schmid is the reason the Devils own a series win over the New York Rangers. Yet, some believe the Devils won’t be able to win it all without a superstar goalie. So, let’s see who is actually available in trade.
Connor Hellebuyck – Winnipeg Jets
We’ll make this one quick. We’ve covered how we feel about Connor Hellebuyck many times. He’s a high-reward acquisition. Hellebuyck can win the Devils a Stanley Cup. That would be great under his current contract. If he gets $9+ million in future years, that’s a risk not worth taking. It puts everything on this year.
There is value to just getting Hellebuyck as a rental. It’s not worth the Devils top prospects underneath Simon Nemec. Let’s see how it works out. It would be fantastic for 2023-24. It would be downright scary for 2025 and beyond.