Now that the New Jersey Devils are returning to action after the 4 Nations Face-Off break, the second half of the 2024-25 season needs to get off to an excellent start if they want to keep their current playoff standings. The Devils have been struggling with scoring in the past several weeks, affecting their standings. With the 2025 trade deadline in two weeks, Tom Fitzgerald must acquire more offensive players to address this issue.
While they could target top offensive guys like Kyle Palmieri, Brock Nelson, and Jake Evans, they should also look at veterans for secondary scoring. One veteran that the Devils should look at is forward Vladimir Tarasenko. Tarasenko, 33 years old and in his 13th year in the NHL, has reached the lowest-scoring point for his career with just 22 points in 53 games this year.
However, there may be a chance he needs another change of scenery, which would be his fifth team in the past three years; after spending almost 10 years with the St. Louis Blues, where he was an all-star for several seasons, he would get traded to the New York Rangers in the 2022-23 season.
Tarasenko could’ve signed with the Devils in the 2023 offseason. However, he ended up signing with the Ottawa Senators before being traded to the Florida Panthers, and he would win the Stanley Cup that year. However, he would sign with the Detroit Red Wings that offseason, and so far, it seems he’s been a problem more than a good investment. Despite his recent performance, Tarasenko still has potential. He’s become a defensive liability lately and has had 34 giveaways this season, but with the right team and system, he could regain his form and be a valuable asset.
However, there is untapped talent in Tarasenko that the Devils can harness to build a strong scoring line. While he may not be the primary target for shots, he can still be a valuable asset for setting up assists. Placing him on a third or fourth line could reignite his confidence and potentially lead to a scoring streak if players like Dawson Mercer and Nathan Bastian face challenges.
So, what can Tom Fitzgerald offer for him? A late 4th or 6th rounder in the 2025 NHL Draft could be a fair deal. This move could be a promising transaction on paper, as a couple of veteran scorers could prove beneficial in the long term, especially if the team makes the playoffs. It could also be a wise investment if the Devils don’t secure their top targets at the deadline.