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.