3 Things To Know For New Jersey Devils Ahead of NHL Trade Deadline

2. Tyler Toffoli is "not being sold"

The most logical solution for the Devils is to "sell" at the trade deadline. They have some pieces that are on expiring contracts that could bring assets to use in future trade or to replenish the pipeline. The player that would bring the largest return in terms of expiring contracts is Tyler Toffoli.

The Devils acquired Toffoli this offseason, sending Yegor Sharangovich and a third-round pick to the Calgary Flames. Shargo is having a career season, scoring 23 goals and putting up 41 points including his fair share of clutch moments. The Devils are seeing that from afar, but it's not like Toffoli hasn't been good. He leads the Devils in goals with 26, and he's been providing more offense as of late.

The Devils could join a market that's not exactly flooded with talent. We mentioned Hanifin, who joins Jake Guentzel as the top players on the market. Outside of that, teams are looking at Vladimir Tarasenko or Adam Henrique as the best players on the market. Toffoli would be worth more than both of those players.

Yet, Tom Fitzgerald made it very clear he wasn't looking to trade Toffoli and was actually looking to extend. However, the extension was hitting a rough patch because of term. So, the Devils might still sell at the last possible moment. If that's the case, the return may suffer, but a team that lost out on Guentzel might take their best offer and make it for Toffoli. Let the process play out.