The New Jersey Devils and their fans will have to wait just a little bit longer to see if the Quinn Hughes dream comes true. Elliotte Friedman, in his latest report for Sportsnet, suggests that the Vancouver Canucks are making some of their veterans available for trades.
Most Devils fans would look into the likes of a Brock Boeser, Jake DeBrusk, or even a Connor Garland. However, two out of those three recently signed contract extensions, while the other is locked up for six more seasons. All three are Canucks property until the 2031 season or even beyond.
As of right now, that would not work with what the Devils could potentially try to do and add a Quinn Hughes and other big fish while competing for a Stanley Cup. The Devils are pretty set on defense in the present and in the future. The Devils can look at some depth forward pieces.
The one and only name on an expiring deal that the Devils should be interested in is Kiefer Sherwood.
Sherwood, a 30-year-old right-handed forward, is off to a red-hot start for the Canucks this season. He currently has 12 goals and four assists for 16 points in 23 games played. Last season, he registered 40 points with the Canucks in a breakout season.
He has earned his bump in ice time over the last few years as he was a depth piece for the flailing Nashville Predators. He would fit this Devils roster perfectly as he can slot in the middle six, a group that has been struggling since the injury to Jack Hughes and subsequent lineup movement.
The best part about Sherwood? He is only making $1 million against the salary cap. The Devils, who are already in a cap crunch, would not have to move much to make the salary work. While his low cap hit may be a massive attraction, it could be the reason a team would have to overpay for him.
A different Canucks contributor might make sense for the Devils right now
He is already due a massive pay raise when his contract expires at the end of this season. However. in the present, while the Devils are struggling to put the puck in the net without their superstar, adding someone with Sherwood's production, speed, and small cap hit would be a great move for Tom Fitzgerald to make.
The main criticism about Fitzgerald is that he waits too long to make a move when things need to change. As Friedman said in his report, Canucks president Jim Rutherford does not wait.
This seems like a perfect storm for the Devils to add a stellar piece in someone like Sherwood.