We are just a few days away from the NHL Trade Deadline, and things are expected to heat up. The Devils have gone 1-2-0 since returning from the Olympic break, and it hasn't been the expected bump from Jack Hughes's Golden Goal to push them back into the playoff race. The Devils are going to be sellers at the NHL Trade Deadline no matter what happens over the next five days.
With that said, we brought the calvary together again. We asked our Pucks and Pitchforks writrers to share their expertise on what they expect to happen at the trade deadline on Friday at 3 p.m.
1. Who is the biggest name you think the New Jersey Devils will trade from the current roster?
Nick Villano: I really want to say Timo Meier, not because I think it's a good idea, but because I want this team to do a full reset of the pieces outside of Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier. However, it's probably Dawson Mercer that will be the biggest name moved.
Damien Flores: I believe Dougie Hamilton will be the biggest name dealt from New Jersey.
Mike Fink: Dougie Hamilton will finally move his NTC to go to a contender (maybe Oilers or Stars). In the offseason, I can see them taking a hard look at their core and moving Jesper Bratt because of it.
Joe Stanislau: I believe Dougie Hamilton is the biggest name the Devils might trade, as he remains a high-caliber offensive defenseman similar to how PK Subban was later in his career. Moving him could yield a significant return, including an NHL-ready player, a prospect, and additional draft capital.
Luke Garrison: The biggest name the Devils will trade from the current roster is Dougie Hamilton. Dougie still has assets like that shot that could work better in a different system than ours, but they need to find someone to take on some of the contract.
Craig Patrick: The only significant roster player who will end up being moved is Dougie Hamilton. Tom Fitzgerald has hamstrung himself, so he can only trade players if they waive their NTCs or their trade list lines up with one of the few contenders with cap space. Dougie Hamilton is one of the only players I can see a contender saying is worth the hassle of making the money work.
Neil Villapiano: Dougie Hamilton because of his value right now and the demand for a right-shot offensive defenseman. It's important to move off assets like him to give you major flexibility to retool the team this upcoming offseason.
Charlie Borges Jr.: The biggest name the Devils will trade will be Dougie Hamilton. A cop out answer, but the likes of Jesper Bratt, Timo Meier, or Nico Hischier would be an NHL Draft or offseason move if a player among the core were to ever be moved.
Rob DeLuca: It seems like eventually the rumors will come true that Dougie Hamilton will no longer be a Devil. Thank you for choosing NJ when you didn’t have to.
Marci Rubin: It feels inevitable to say Dougie Hamilton. He’s the most logical player to move for cap space and roster retooling.
Sam Woo: Dougie Hamilton
2. Who is the biggest name you want Tom Fitzgerald to target that's currently available?
Villano: Go get Shane Wright. A reset allows him to play the role that he grows into, whether it's third-line center or top six compliment next to Jack Hughes. This is the type of move that makes sense for a retooling team.
Flores: I can dream big and say a name like Connor McDavid, but to be as realistic as possible I’d say a player like Jason Robertson.
Fink: In the offseason, they should make a run at Jason Robertson. He's an RFA who they can add and then extend.
Stanislau: I would like to see Tom Fitzgerald target Lawson Crouse or Jordan Kyrou. Both players are high-impact talents currently available that could significantly bolster the roster.
Garrison: The biggest name to me would be Jordan Kyrou, as he does have 33 points this year, and he could add a significant boost to our scoring issues. I wouldn’t mind seeing Blake Coleman back for a reunion, maybe to provide experience. He has a $2.75 million cap hit for two years, so it won’t be that expensive.
Patrick: Kent Johnson just got healthy scratched in Columbus. I would buy low on him during a down season. I’d also be interested in acquiring Kiefer Sherwood from San Jose if the price on an extension wasn’t as outrageous as it was earlier this year when he was shooting 20%.
Villapiano: If he decides to buy for the future, I would go after Jordan Kyrou. He becomes that scoring, top-winger this team desperately needs.
Borges: I would love the Devils to add Jordan Kyrou. A scoring threat on the wing has been needed since Tom Fitzgerald traded Tyler Toffoli.
DeLuca: Personally I don’t want Tom Fitzgerald to do anything anymore. But I’ll stick to my preseason prediction, scoring is a problem. Bryan Rust.
Rubin: Any moves made should be future-focused, not the here and now. So I’d say take a risk and go for a young player with potential who is in need of a change of scenery, such as Shane Wright.
Woo: Auston Mattews
3. How many trades do the Devils make this week and why?
Villano: I think they make five trades this week. It sounds insane, but I think they make 3-4 fire sales and 1-2 additions.
Flores: The Devils probably make two to three trades at most. Hopefully dealing away two players and going out to acquire one.
Fink: Two or three trades. The question is whether the Devils are retooling or rebuilding. If they are retooling, it's probably a few trades but nothing big, so assume that.
Stanislau: I expect the Devils to make approximately two trades this week. These moves would likely be intended to shake up the current team dynamic as we approach the deadline.
Garrison: I can see them doing at the very least one or two trades. They will try to at least get one player off the roster, like Dougie, and maybe acquire another player to try and get some life out of the offense.
Patrick: Three trades. The Hamilton trade, which brings back not nearly enough (a single late 1st round pick with substantial retention). A nothing-burger trade of Dadonov for a conditional 6th round pick to one of the teams on his M-NTC that kicked in March 1st. And then an inexplicably expensive trade for a right-shot depth defenseman signed through next year that will block Simon Nemec from playing time even more because Fitz can’t help himself.
Villapiano: 2-3. I expect Fitz to buy and sell. I think he'll accept that this season is over and will move some money for flexibility as well as building the team for next campaign early.
Borges: The Devils will make four trades this week. Hamilton, Evgenii Dadonov, maybe a Paul Cotter, and an addition to the forward group. Just prepare for the most anti-climatic deadline your eyes have seen.
DeLuca: I think the trades will max out at two for the Devils. Selling Hamilton and then one more random one.
Rubin: Two: one noteworthy trade and one quiet trade. With the Devils so far out of the playoff hunt, there’s no need to chase rentals. Strategy should be focused on a retool.
Woo: Three trades. Need to reduce salary cap both long and short term.
4. In your mind, what would make the Devils trade deadline look like a success?
Villano: They have to get proper value for Dougie Hamilton (minimum second-round pick), exceed value on one trade (whether it's Meier, Mercer, or someone like Cody Glass), and they have to clean things up on the back end. That might mean trading a second defenseman.
Flores: This trade deadline would be a success if the Devils are able to acquire a player that is under contract for next season.
Fink: They need prospects, but if you think about where they might end up by the end of the season, a couple of first-round picks will make this a good trade deadline.
Stanislau: A successful deadline would involve making proactive moves to improve the long-term outlook of the team. I have a feeling, however, that the front office might stay too content and miss the opportunity to make the necessary adjustments.
Garrison: To make this trade deadline a success, Tom Fitzgerald needs to find a player who is a consistent scorer and could be a motivator for the team. Also, acquiring some draft capital and trading away players to take on part of their NMCs would work too.
Patrick: The organization “forgot” to pay Tom Fitzgerald’s cell phone bill on March 1st, and, oh wow, some mice must have chewed through the landline in his office too. But, in all seriousness, getting the vast majority of Dougie’s money off the books and getting some assets back would be big. Then let’s let Sunny Mehta clean this mess up this summer.
Villapiano: Trading off some bigger assets and get younger. We have to retool the roster and create spots/money to do so.
Borges: It is hard to see any avenue where this deadline is a success. Fitzgerald should not be in charge of this deadline, yet here we are. Maybe adding a Kyrou, will change my mind, but the fear of what will be sent for Kyrou is petrifying.
DeLuca: Making moves strictly with next season in mind, This core can be special at 100% health and more depth, but actually make those moves this time.
Rubin: Protecting the team’s core and not making any panic moves. Only giving up Hamilton for a sizable return — not just a salary dump.
Woo: Shed about $10M worth of cap space.
5. In your mind, what would make the Devils trade deadline look like a failure?
Villano: If Tom Fitzgerald treats this trade deadline like the Devils are a buyer because he is desperate to keep his job, then this franchise has failed its fanbase. Again.
Flores: Not trading away Dougie Hamilton would be a massive failure. This has been in the air for a while now, not getting something done is flat out unacceptable.
Fink: If they can't get much done, this deadline will have Fitz losing the faith of the franchise. He has to make moves to keep his job, even if that means buying in.
Stanlislau: The deadline would be a failure if the team plays it too safe and remains stagnant. Specifically, failing to move certain contracts and address roster needs would be a missed opportunity for the organization.
Garrison: In my mind, not becoming sellers or attempting to get one good or decent player and just sitting there and doing nothing would be the worst thing for Tom Fitzgerald to do. Doing nothing would be clear evidence that his time as the New Jersey Devils general manager would be done.
Patrick: Trading Simon Nemec, or any picks in rounds 1-3, for anyone over the age of 28. In general, any trade made with the deluded belief that this team is going to make a miracle playoff run would be an F-minus.
Villapiano: Buying thinking that this team can still compete this season. Overpaying for someone like Steven Stamkos who doesn't even want to move right now.
Borges: Trading away players that should stick around. Dawson Mercer, Brenden Dillon, and Jonas Siegenthaler should be here for a few more years, especially Mercer and Siegenthaler. Fitz will probably over-correct like he always does and this franchise, which only needs minor tweaks, will be set back a few more years. Time Fitzgerald and Sheldon Keefe do not have.
DeLuca: Doing absolutely nothing would be inexcusable but not unexpected. Can’t end the season with the exact same roster, shows Fitz is not trying.
Rubin: Trading for any rentals. Or doing absolutely nothing.
Woo: Being buyers instead of sellers.