3. Seamus Casey
This one is going to cause Devils fans to hate this, but we want to be very clear that this would be for a very good player. This isn’t throwing Seamus Casey away for a bottom-six contributor or a depth defenseman. Casey appears to be an amazing offensive contributor already. He had 45 points as the top defenseman for the University of Michigan, who used him to replace Luke Hughes. Now, he’s signed with the Devils and preparing to play with Utica this season (one would assume).
He should be able to contribute offensively on the pros. His skills are easily transferable. Casey has everything one would expect to want out of an offensive defenseman.
One issue is fit. Where will Casey fit with the Devils? Currently, the Devils have both Dougie Hamilton and Brett Pesce signed for the next four seasons (six for Pesce). Behind them is Simon Nemec, who is a former second-overall pick. Those are the right-handed defensemen for the foreseeable future. On top of that, the Devils are pretty set on the left side, too.
So the Devils options are getting Casey forced playing time on the left side, an injury gives him an opportunity (likely after this season since Nick DeSimone and Jonathan Kovacevic are on the roster and both right handed), or he transitions into a forward. All three seem unlikely or at the very least out of his control. The other option is a trade, and teams will pay handsomely for a righty who can play offense like Casey.