The New Jersey Devils need to add someone to the top six that will, in turn, enhance the bottom six. They need to find someone to pair with Jack Hughes, even as Ondrej Palat just scored a goal on Sunday against the Nashville Predators. Hughes and Bratt could turn into one of the best lines in hockey with the right trade target.
Many have been looking at the Montreal Canadiens as a trade partner for the Devils. It makes sense. The Devils have some prospects that would interest the Canadiens, and they have multiple second-round picks. Meanwhile, the Canadiens have multiple forwards who would do better in a different situation.
Last month, The Athletic's Pierre Lebrun, who has been on the money when it comes to Devils rumors in the past, called Canadiens' forward Jake Evans their "top trade target." Evans isn't exactly a top-six player, but he could be in the right situation. With Jack Hughes playing winger at the 4 Nations Face-Off, it could make sense to put someone to win him some faceoffs on the top line.
While it makes sense to target Evan, even if it's just to add scoring to the bottom six, but the price may be something the Devils can't match. Another The Athletic writer, Arpon Basu, said the Canadiens are trying to find a trade partner that is willing to trade for both Evans and Joel Armia. The Devils might even be interested in that, but probably not for the price.
"The goal for the Canadiens here is to add a third first-round pick in the upcoming draft, and that has already been set as the market rate for a package deal of two rentals. The Pittsburgh Penguins got that – plus a prospect and two undesirable contracts – from the Vancouver Canucks for Marcus Pettersson and Drew O’Connor, and the San Jose Sharks got that from the Dallas Stars for Mikael Granlund and Cody Ceci."Apron Basu, The Athletic
The New Jersey Devils might not have the right assets to target Jake Evans
Of course, the Devils aren't going to have their 2025 first-round pick. While it is protected, they sent it to the Calgary Flames for Jacob Markstrom. Most fans wouldn't be upset with the trade, but it does limit the Devils' ability to make trades this season. Would they be willing to give up a top prospect for two players who are essentially rentals?
It might be time to focus on a different "top target" despite his clear fit. Center is a need, and after the Devils benched Curtis Lazar in the last game, the need is glaring. However, the Devils can trade what they don't have, so Evans might be off the table.