The New Jersey Devils are looking for major help in the bottom six, and they have ample routes to find it. They can tackle this by signing or trading for top-six forwards. That would push other forwards into the bottom six. They can directly sign new talent whose function is the bottom six. A trade in that route would work, too. On top of that, they can add prospects to the lineup to show what they can do.
Another route is watching the buyout market. Every year, there are great players whose teams just need to get rid of because of their exorbitant contracts. The Devils haven't used a buyout in a while, but they are likely to use it this year. They have a few contracts to discuss, and it will open up important cap space if they use the buyout option themselves.
However, it could be just as consequential to take advantage of the other teams looking for a buyout. We've seen some important players bought out for a myriad of reasons. It isn't always because they are no longer effective. Sometimes, the fit just isn't there.
And that might be the reason a surprising name is being discussed as a buyout option. Lyle Richardson with Bleacher Report listed buyout options this offseason, and one specifically would make so much sense for the Devils.
The Chicago Blackhawks got something out of Tyler Bertuzzi last season, which was the first year of a four-year contract. He scored 23 goals, but there was one problem. He was terrible next to Connor Bedard.
Bertuzzi is the Blackhawks' most expensive player (which is crazy because he makes $5.5 million per season). Chicago is probably going to send big, big money to players this offseason, including the possibility of paying Mitch Marner $13 million. They don't need the money, but they might want to call it early on a player who doesn't fit.
Tyler Bertuzzi would be a huge addition to the New Jersey Devils
Chicago could also trade Bertuzzi and just eat half of the contract, allowing them to only pay for the deal for three seasons instead of six, but the Devils should be in on this guy either way. He is exactly the type of player to enhance the bottom six with a chance to add to the top six when needed. If the Devils can get away with paying Bertuzzi $3 million, whether that's post-buyout or through a trade.
The Devils need offense, and some think they still need to be a little tougher. Bertuzzi adds both. He can be the addition that puts the Devils into a different contention window, similar to what Matt Ducehene did in Dallas. Hopefully, the Devils have better luck in the Conference Finals (if they get there).