The New Jersey Devils felt like their 2024-25 season was a disappointment. Despite making the playoffs, going in as one of the biggest underdogs in the league was not ideal. The front office on down felt this team should have been better. Injuries made things hard, but this was still a talented team that went down in five games. They avoided the sweep, and that's about all they can hang their hat on.
With that burning feeling of disappointment, Devils' GM Tom Fitzgerald is going to upgrade the roster. He has an opportunity to do that, with eight unrestricted free agents coming off the books, but they don't have a ton of money to spend on the salary cap without corresponding moves.
If the Devils make some money available, it could be scary. Fitzgerald has given players more money than expected. Ondrej Palat was given $6 million over five years. He came in to bring playoff experience and impact, but it felt like too much then, and it's way too much now. Same goes for Erik Haula, who didn't feel as bad in the moment, but his contract was a little scary. Even Stefan Noesen was a little scary, but he earned his deal in season one. Who could be that player with a scary contract this season?
1. Sam Bennett
Current Team: Florida Panthers
Just like Ondrej Palat three years ago, the New Jersey Devils could go after a player who is currently on three-straight runs deep into the playoffs. Sam Bennett has been really good for the Florida Panthers. He fits really well on that roster.
Bennett would be good on any roster, including the Devils, but just good. He's not a great player despite the hype around him. He's a Selke Trophy candidate, but we don't see him being the type of player who is there consistently. Yet, him being there this year is going to make his price skyrocket. Can the Devils really afford to pay someone who often scores just 20ish goals per year more than $8 million per season?
This isn't a team that can afford that. Bennett is also turning 29 years old before he signs that next contract (unless it was with the Panthers or a sign-and-trade). It's the type of contract that either puts a team over the top or sinks them. The Devils aren't in a place where they can take a risk that deep.
2. Brock Boeser
Current Team: Vancouver Canucks
The New Jersey Devils need scoring. Brock Boeser scores. It's a match made in heaven, right? The Devils would love to have Boeser in the lineup. He was a 40-goal scorer one year ago. This past season, he put up 25 goals on a mess in Vancouver. The Devils don't want to overpay for a guy coming off a 25-goal season, but Boeser might demand a bigger contract than expected.
This is a pure goal scorer in a league that is struggling to score goals again. Think about how many teams lost because they didn't score enough in deciding games. The Toronto Maple Leafs lost in Game 7 when they scored just one goal against the Florida Panthers. The Golden Knights failed to score a goal in regulation or overtime, and they were eliminated. Teams will pay for scoring this offseason, even if there are flaws across the player's profile.
On the other hand, the Devils are looking for secondary scoring, and Boeser would add that. Would the rest of his game fit in Sheldon Keefe's system? We're not sure, but the Devils could try to fit a square peg into a round hole if that beg has 40-goal upside.
Boeser isn't exactly the game changer his salary is going to demand. Could he command more than $7 million? It seems likely, and the Devils will probably make an offer that's competitive and might actually win.
3. Mikael Granlund
Current Team: Dallas Stars
Mikael Granlund is currently the apple of everyone's eye. The Dallas Stars overpaid the San Jose Sharks for Granlund, sending them a first-round pick for his services. Except it wasn't an overpay. Granlund has been insane for Dallas. He had seven goals in the regular season, and three of them were game-winning goals.
In the playoffs, his most memorable moment was a hat trick against the Winnipeg Jets and future Vezina winner Connor Hellebuyck. The world wondered how the Stars came away with Granlund when he scored that hat trick.
Granlund was considered a throw-in by the Pittsburgh Penguins as part of the massive Erik Karlsson trade. Granlund had become a 10-15 goal scorer. Now, he's coming off a 22-goal season.
The issue for the Devils is Granlund is going to get paid like a 22-goal scorer at 33 years old. He hasn't scored this many goals since 2017. The Devils should stay far, far away from Granlund this offseason. There's no reason to make this a target because it has red flags littered all over it.