New Jersey Devils need to make a trade soon to keep team in contention

The New Jersey Devils are currently on track to be a playoff contender in the Metropolitan Division, but there are still some holes that must be filled to take the next step. The easiest way to do this is to make a trade.

Dallas Stars v New Jersey Devils
Dallas Stars v New Jersey Devils | Bruce Bennett/GettyImages

Let's be serious, several things about this current New Jersey Devils team can be true. One is that they are very talented and much better than last year's team. Another is that the forward depth is glaringly poor. Certain players are not performing up to par, while others are suffering through injuries.

It is imperative that General Manager Tom Fitzgerald make a trade for a middle-six winger sooner rather than later. There are several questions that go along with a statement like this. Who should they trade for? Who or what are they going to send back in said trade?

The Devils have just short of $1 Million in current cap space available. In order to make a big splash, they will have to offload some money, which likely means moving a player who has been on the team for a couple of years now. Many of you will consider the same person, but can it really be that simple?

The person many would consider is a certain high-priced forward who many believe hasn't lived up to his big free agent deal. There are legitimate gripes here, but it's more than that.

What if that is too easy? That might mean it's not right. Sometimes the easy decision is the wrong one.

You are going to have to stay tuned to Pucks and Pitchforks and wait for the next post to come out to see exactly what trade actually makes more sense than one that sends out a certain big-money forward for a game changer. This is also going to be something that will bring a certain collaboration with other Pucks and Pitchforks writers. This topic is too important.

Are you upset? Good. Patience is a much needed virtue and it will be the worth the wait when the time comes for this next piece. LGD!

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