5 Former Stud Prospects New Jersey Devils Should Target At Trade Deadline
The New Jersey Devils always want pieces that have a long-term impact on the team. There are some intriguing former prospects the Devils could theoretically get before the NHL Trade Deadline.
The New Jersey Devils are prioritizing goalie at the NHL Trade Deadline. It's been all over every network. Many think that is the Devils showing their cards, but it's probably the opposite. With Nico Daws playing as well as he has lately and Vitek Vanecek looking less like a liability, the Devils aren't stapled to the trade market as some think.
The Devils actually have some flexibility in the market. Their fluid set of assets, young core, and Tom Fitzgerald's past history of trades makes them a possibility for all positions. There has been talk about multiple former great prospects who need a change of scenery. The Devils should ask about all of them.
Before we get to the list, let's address the name most people are thinking of right now: Kaapo Kakko. Of course, the Devils should go after him theoretically, but we're being realistic here. The Rangers would make a trade with the Devils but not for a player who could come back and bite them for years to come. They might be willing to move Kakko in the right deal, but no deal would include the Devils.
1. Arthur Kaliyev
Los Angele Kings
We've loved Arthur Kaliyev since the NHL Draft. Our biggest issue with the P.K. Subban trade at the time was he was still on the board. He actually went the pick before the choice the Devils traded to Nashville.
Things started off very well for Kaliyev in LA. The sniper scored a goal in his very first NHL game. He grew his game over the next two years, scoring 13 goals in 56 games in 2022-23. He's always had this awesome skill. He actually reminds us a lot of Alexander Holtz.
This season, the Kings haven't found a better place for him in the lineup. Right now, he's on the fourth line with fellow prospect Alex Turcotte and Trevor Lewis. He's playing a little under 13 minutes a night. Like Holtz, that would never end up getting the best out of his talents.
So, why would the Devils get a player like Holtz when they already have Holtz? For one, it's great insurance. It's likely one or the other will work out. However, Kaliyev has a better track record in the NHL. He's scored 10+ goals twice, and he will likely hit it again this year. He could easily become a 20 or even 30-goal scorer in the right situation.
2. Philip Broberg
Edmonton Oilers
The New Jersey Devils need another defenseman. They gave up Shakir Mukhamadullin and Nikita Okhotiuk in the Timo Meier deal and saw Cal Foote get taken off the roster due to the Hockey Canada scandal that led to his arrest for sexual assault. They still have some prospects available like Santeri Hatakka and Topias Vilen, and they have two rookie of the year candidates in Simon Nemec and Luke Hughes. However, it's always good to get another young defenseman.
There are reports that teams are asking for Philip Broberg in trades with the Edmonton Oilers. They are very reluctant to do that, and apparently, the Oilers outright refuse to do that in a deal for a rental. Maybe the Devils and Oilers can find a deal that makes everyone happy.
Broberg is apparently seeking a trade himself. The Oilers just didn't play the Swedish defenseman when he was in the NHL this season. At 22 years old, he played just over 10 minutes per game. For the most part, he's considered an "extra" defenseman. The Oilers haven't needed Broberg since none of their defenders have been hurt this season. Must be nice.
The Devils could give Broberg an opportunity. That's ultimately what he's looking for. The Oilers want a young player in return, a luxury the Devils could afford. He's left-handed, which is where the Devils need more depth. He has the pedigree, and he will fit right into the Devils window when he develops.
3. David Jiricek
Columbus Blue Jackets
Another young defenseman who seems to want out of his current situation is David Jiricek. The Columbus Blue Jackets took him with the sixth-overall pick in the 2022 NHL Draft. The Devils took Nemec over Jiricek. Despite the early signs showing a lean towards Jiricek, this season, Nemec has been the much better player.
Again, that might be due to opportunity. The Devils hand was forced when Dougie Hamilton got injured. They needed someone who could replace his impact, and Nemec was their best chance to make that happen. It was a Hail Mary, but it worked.
Meanwhile, Jiricek has been moved up and down from Columbus to Cleveland. When he was demoted a few weeks ago, Jiricek said flat-out that he believes he's an NHL player. A player doesn't come out like that when they are happy. Of course, players on entry-level contracts get a huge paycut when they are sent to the AHL (sometimes as much as one-fifth their NHL salary), so there's no reason to doubt by Jiricek would be upset.
Making this complicated, the Blue Jackets just fired GM Jarmo Kekäläinen. A new GM still isn't in place, and just due to the timing, a quick trade for a top prospect right-handed defenseman doesn't make sense. Still, Fitzgerald should make the call the second a new GM is in place.
4. Erik Brännström
Ottawa Senators
Erik Brännström was once considered the prize of the Mark Stone trade between the Ottawa Senators and Vegas Golden Knights. Stone was a superstar. Yet, because of the value of Brännström, Stone didn't even garner a first-round pick in the deal. This was considered a sure-thing prospect.
Now, coming close to five years later, Brännström still hasn't established himself as the top-line defenseman most thought he would become. He's currently playing under 16 minutes per game, the shortest ice time he's been given since his rookie season. Lately, he's been playing alongside Jakob Chychrun. This should offer him more opportunity, but it just means he's playing behind Artem Zub and Jacob Bernand-Docker.
Brännström is clearly an NHL defenseman. He had a scary moment earlier in the season where a bad concussion caused him to be stretchered off the ice. That image might cause pause for a GM like Fitzgerald, who knows that concussions can end a career at a moment's notice and without warning.
Still, if the price is right, Brännström is worth the risk. Even at 24 years old, he could grow into a really good defenseman. The Devils have taken chances on defensemen in the past, and it's worked out. Jonas Siegenthaler worked out. John Marino worked out last season. Maybe this one can be the missing piece to keep this defense in playoff mode.
5. Nick Robertson
Toronto Maple Leafs
We were surprised to see Nick Robertson's name on the TSN Trade Bait Board, but every team should be trying to get the Maple Leafs' prospect. Toronto is in a strange position where they aren't playing up to their capabilities. They finally won a first-round series, but they lost the next series in five games. The Maple Leafs are desperate to finally win a Stanley Cup, which is why Kyle Dubas moved to Pittsburgh and Toronto replaced him with Brad Treliving.
Since Treliving didn't have the same ties to Robertson as the previous regime, he could be had for the right price. The brother of Stars superstar Jason Robertson hasn't had a chance to get his career going. The Devils know firsthand that just because a player's brother is great doesn't mean he will be great too. For every Jack and Luke Hughes, there is a Tyce Thompson.
Still, Robertson has a pedigree that should work out in the Devils system. He's having his best season, putting up 17 points in 36 games.
Again, it was surprising to see Robertson might be available. Would the Devils have something that might interest the Leafs? Of course, that depends on what the Devils are willing to give up. Maybe a deal can be made where everyone leaves happy.
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