The Carolina Hurricanes shocked the NHL by trading Martin Necas and Jack Drury for Mikko Rantanen and Taylor Hall. It changed how many see the Hurricanes when it comes to Stanley Cup contention.
The New Jersey Devils must now respond by addressing key needs to maintain their competitive edge. While they are already built for success, gaps in scoring depth, goaltending stability, and physicality remain. GM Tom Fitzgerald must navigate a tight salary cap and avoid sacrificing key prospects to ensure the Devils are set up for both immediate and long-term success.
Bolstering the Bottom Six and Physicality
Beyond acquiring a scoring winger like Brock Boeser and a reliable backup goalie, the Devils would greatly benefit from reinforcing their bottom six. Adding a player like Trent Frederic would bring grit, toughness, and versatility to the lineup. A physical, two-way presence would not only give the team a competitive edge during the regular season but also serve as an invaluable asset in the playoffs, where games are often won in the trenches. Players who can wear down opponents, kill penalties, and contribute timely goals are crucial for deep postseason runs.
The New Jersey Devils should address scoring, grit, and depth at the NHL Trade Deadline.
Frederic’s ability to slot into various roles, whether as a center or winger, would give the Devils flexibility to adapt to different matchups. Combined with a top-six winger like Boeser, a fortified bottom-six would make New Jersey one of the most balanced and dangerous teams in the league. When paired with the development of promising prospects and the right veteran goalie, the Devils will not only be a team to beat this year but for seasons to come.
The New Jersey Devils need to expand their blueprint, evolving from a hybrid transition attack to a more punishing, physical style grueling, Sasquatch offense.
In the playoffs, there is no room for softness. The Florida Panthers demonstrated this last season, overpowering every opponent in their path. Their ability to dismantle the New York Rangers in the Eastern Conference Finals was a masterclass in playoff hockey.
The Panthers’ success came from an all-in, team-wide effort: relentless hits, blocked shots, takeaways, and offensive production across all four lines. That combination of physicality and execution allowed them to overcome even the high-powered Edmonton Oilers, ultimately lifting the Stanley Cup in a grueling seven-game series.
Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald understands what needs to be done. His challenge is finding the right pieces to amplify the team's grit without compromising the core or mortgaging the future. By striking that balance, Fitzgerald could lay the foundation for a dynasty, reviving the playoff dominance that began under Lou Lamoriello and Jacques Lemaire a legacy Devils fans are eager to see reignited.
Coach Sheldon Keefe has plenty of offensive firepower at his disposal, with skilled players capable of producing on the top lines. However, what his roster needs is a stronger presence of finishers and heavy hitters who can thrive in a fast, uptempo system while bringing physicality and assertiveness to the ice.
This situation differs from Keefe’s tenure in Toronto, where the core often fell short during critical playoff moments. Now, there are players with recent playoff experience who understand what it takes to make a deep run. Still, without a concerted effort to add more toughness and grit to the lineup, the team could face issues when the games get tighter and the stakes higher.
We recognize that the Devils are firmly in win-now mode. However, the team must address its backup goaltending situation. With Jake Allen’s future uncertain and the pipeline prospects potentially needing more time to develop, securing a high-quality backup goalie is essential.
Mortgaging the future by trading high-end prospects, whether defense or goalies, would not be prudent. Instead, the Devils should focus on acquiring a reliable veteran to complement their depth. The need for a strong backup became evident during incidents like Jacob Markstrom’s absence and Justin Brazeau crashing the net against Boston. Relying solely on Jake Allen as a fallback is not a sustainable solution.
For now, Isaac Poulter and Nico Daws remain the immediate options. In the future, promising prospect Mikhail Yegorov could fill the gap. The Boston University standout has shown tremendous poise, allowing just one goal on 23 shots in his debut against #1 Boston College. His ability to cover high-danger areas, execute smooth T- and C-pushes, and remain calm under pressure resembles elite goalies like Jacob Markstrom and Andrei Vasilevskiy. While Yegorov continues to develop, the Devils need a reliable veteran presence to stabilize their goaltending for a deep playoff run.