3 New Jersey Devils prospects who work better as trade bait

2. Herman Traff

Herman Traff is brand new to the Devils organization, coming here this past season with the 91st-overall pick. Traff is a big right winger who was a part of the Devils new philosophy, adding size to every part of the team’s prospect pool. We’re sure Traff is a fine player who could turn into something. 

Traff has already got some of his first tastes of professional hockey out of the way, playing 10 games in the SHL last season. Many expect him to play more games of professional hockey this season. Ironically, he might play next to former Devils first-round pick Matias Tedenby.

Already, Traff has some really good moments. He’s expected to play a role for Team Sweden’s U20 team, and some would hope he makes them for World Juniors in January. He was also really good at the Devils development camp, so there are eyes on him. 

The reason he’s someone the Devils should dangle is he should see his stock rise significantly over this season, and he’s someone who isn’t focusing on the skill he’s actually good at. Let’s focus on the latter since the former is pretty self-explanatory. Traff is a great passer, and he could be a player who gets 60 points. However, in Sweden, he’s been focusing on scoring. That’s all well and good, but to make it in the NHL, a player this young should be making his best assets one of the top in the world. It’s an easy fix, but is it one the Devils want to make? Traff could be really good in the NHL, and that’s why he makes sense as an NHL trade prospect.