The New Jersey Devils acquired Shane Lachance from the Edmonton Oilers this past March in a three-team trade involving the Boston Bruins. In return, New Jersey sent prospect Petr Hauser to Edmonton and took on 50% of Trent Frederic’s contract for the remainder of last season. Lachance, who is 6'5 and over 200 pounds, is just the kind of forward the Devils desperately need in their lineup.
Shane Lachance was drafted 186th overall in the 2021 NHL Draft by the Oilers and spent the last two seasons at Boston University developing his game under former Devils forward Jay Pandolfo. He recorded 30 points (12 goals, 18 assists) in 40 games last year, while serving as co-captain- the first sophomore captain in Boston University history. He and fellow Devils prospect Mikhail Yegorov helped lead BU to the National Championship Game, where they came up short against a more experienced Western Michigan team.
The Devils wasted no time signing Lachance to his entry-level deal after BU’s season came to an end and got him to Utica for two games before the season ended, where he recorded a goal and an assist.
While he may not have the flair of an NHL star, Lachance has shown he has the IQ to play with top-end talent and knows how to use his size to his advantage. He spent his freshman year playing on a line with 2024 1st overall pick Macklin Celebrini, and played the net front position on BU's top powerplay unit this past season, one of the best powerplays in the country.
There really is only a spot or two up for grabs on the Devils' offense, but if Lachance comes in to training camp and has a strong showing, it could be hard for Sheldon Keefe and the Devils management to send him down.
The Devils have needed more size on offense for years, and Lachance can be a guy that finally brings some of that. Seeing a 6'5 forward with a decent set of hands sitting in front of the net on the Devils' power play would be a joy to watch and something Devils fans haven't seen enough of in recent years. If it's not to start the season, I could see Lachance getting the call-up to the Devils at some point this year to show what he can do.