5 NHL buyout candidates New Jersey Devils should keep an eye on
The NHL buyout window begins two days after the end of the Stanley Cup Final. Some teams could be looking to offload big contracts, and that could give the New Jersey Devils a quick deal for big names.
The New Jersey Devils have limited funds to accomplish what they want this summer. They need players at every position, including expensive positions like a top-six winger and a starting goalie. They need to prioritize their dollars as best as possible. According to Capfriendly, the Devils have just under $19 million to spend this offseason, but that will disappear quickly after re-signing Dawson Mercer and adding a goalie.
So, the Devils need to get bold when filling their roster. Some will want to do some buyouts themselves, and many will point to Ondrej Palat, but that is definitely not going to happen. Other teams, on the other hand, will use their buyout privileges. Some teams will use them to get necessary cap space, while others are just looking to reset the roster. Either way, the Devils can take advantage of this by signing these players for less than market value. (CapFriendly was also used for all buyout information below.)
Josh Anderson
Montreal Canadiens
This one feels like a long time coming. Montreal Canadiens fans have been pushing for a Josh Anderson trade to the Devils for years. Those fans wanted insane returns, including the 2022 second-overall pick that ended up becoming Simon Nemec (the Canadiens took Juraj Slafkovsky that year with the first pick).
Don’t get us wrong; Josh Anderson was once a good player. However, he is now the proud owner of one of the worst contracts in hockey. He still has three years left on his deal that pays him $5.5 million per season. He had 20 points last season despite playing 78 games.
One might ask why the Devils would even want a player like that even if he comes at a discount, but the former version of Anderson was exactly what this team needs. He was a 15-25 goal scorer who could hit, block shots, and avoided a ridiculous amount of penalties (he still takes some, but not a ridiculous amount). He scored 21 games just a year ago.
It’s just clear he seems done with Montreal. We wouldn’t be surprised if Montreal is done with him, but he’s just 30 years old. He still should have a little something in the tank, and putting him on this young, spry team could put a little pep in his skate.
Jeff Skinner
Buffalo Sabres
This is another one that’s a long-time coming, but it has nothing to do with the Devils. The Jeff Skinner contract has been laughable basically since a few minutes after it was signed. Skinner had one ridiculous season after he was traded to Buffalo, and they paid him more than Jack Hughes.
This buyout is going to hurt. However, it won’t hurt as much as some may think. Skinner’s cap hit will only go down about $1.44 million this season, but Buffalo is still not all the way there anyway. However, they save $4.4 million next season and $6.4 million the season after that. This is when the Sabres want to be competing and will need that money. The cost will be a little over $2 million for 27-28, 28-29, and 29-30.
We also know how Lindy Ruff uses players like Skinner. It just doesn’t really fit. However, new Devils head coach Sheldon Keefe could find a really good role for Skinner, who can still score. He had 24 goals last season. He had north of 30 in the two years prior. The Devils can absolutely use that, and it might be better than having to pay Tyler Toffoli long-term.
John Gibson
Anaheim Ducks
This one would be a huge surprise, but the Anaheim Ducks have been trying to get John Gibson off their team for two years. They asked for the moon this season, which is why he is still in Anaheim. GM Pat Verbeek has been known as someone who tries to squeeze as much value out of every trade as possible, but Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald has been known as a patient GM who will wait until the price drops.
How does free sound as a price? Many thought the Devils would target John Gibson, but it sounds like they targetted Linus Ullmark, Jacob Markstrom, Juuse Saros, and current Devils goalie Jake Allen, instead. However, if the prices are still insane for goalies this summer, would he consider a deal where he signs John Gibson for free, gives him an amazing team that could rebuild his value, then the two find their forever homes after next season?
It’s hard to believe Devils fans would be completely satisfied with a Gibson-Allen-Daws possibility going into next season, but it might be better than trading Dawson Mercer+ for a guy like Ullmark who still could be a product of the system.
Gibson was really good to start the season last year, but he fell off when it became clear he wasn’t being traded. He’s a clear “change-of-scenery” candidate. He was once one of the best in the league, which is when he earned his current contract. A buyout would cost the Ducks $2.13 million over the next six seasons. We’re sure Verbeek is actively trying to trade Gibson today, but if it doesn’t work out, he might just say goodbye and see ya later.
Jack Campbell
Edmonton Oilers
The Edmonton Oilers are headed to the Stanley Cup Final at the time of the writing. If you’re reading this in a few weeks, they may be the reigning champs. The Oilers spent $5 million per season to solidify their goaltending, but that’s not the guy who is taking them to the promised land. It’s actually Stuart Skinner.
Jack Campbell spent most of this season in the minor leagues, trying to rebuild his confidence and get the skill back that earned him $5 million AAV just two offseasons ago. If we remember, the Devils were widely considered the favorite to sign Campbell. The Oilers came over the top to sign the former Maple Leafs goalie.
It didn’t work out, but it is what it is. They made it to the Cup with Campbell’s cap hit weighing them down. They did the proper cap gymnastics, but everyone believes this contract is going away by hook or by crook.
The Oilers save almost $4 million in cap space next season if they buyout Campbell. This feels like a guarantee. They only have to pay $1.5 million in the years after the contract ends. That’s going to be nothing compared to how far almost $4 million will go next season when they have a ton of free agents to re-sign.
As far as the “why” for the Devils, he will be that extra goalie we’ve been talking about. He is not the start, nor is he the backup. Honestly, he might be willing to sign a two-way deal after the dreadful season he just had. However, the Devils can give him a chance to make his way back to the NHL.
Patrick Laine
Columbus Blue Jackets
This one’s a weird one, but the Columbus Blue Jackets are going to make major changes this offseason. Jarmo Kekäläinen did a number on this roster, undoing some of the great additions and draft picks he made over the years by signing and trading for players that don’t fit together.
Worst among them is Patrik Laine, who the Blue Jackets traded Pierre Luc-Dubois to the Winnipeg Jets to get. Laine scored 44 goals as a 19-year-old. He looked like he was going to be where Auston Matthews is now. We thought this was a future multi-time 50-goal scorer. He never came close to it again, and now he’s basically a 25-goal scorer. Last season, he played just 18 games and scored six goals. That’s still on pace for less than 30 goals.
Laine is currently in the NHL Player Assistance Program. Maybe that’s what he needs to bounce back. He had a lot of pressure on himself, and he hasn’t been hitting his hype. However, a change of scenery and a team full of stars lets Laine just play his game.
The Devils have always been a fit for Laine’s talents, but they haven’t been a fit for his price tag. If he’s bought out, the Devils could probably get him for $2 million per season. That is absolutely worth the risk.
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