5. Tyler Johnson
This one will give the Devils more flexibility. Tyler Johnson can play anywhere on a forward line and anywhere in the bottom six. Adding Johnson to the roster would give the Devils more options with Curtis Lazar. As the roster sits right now, there’s no choice but to put Lazar as fourth-line center. It’s been clear that Dawson Mercer can’t play center full-time. Paul Cotter only took 76 faceoffs last season, which was his career high.
Johnson was also much better last season, scoring 17 goals for a Chicago Blackhawks team that needed anyone to play like an NHL player. He stepped up when the Blackhawks needed him, and he spent a lot of time on the Hawks' top line with Andreas Athanasiou and Lukas Reichel.
He was making the best of his situation, and that’s why this is a great possible signing for the Devils. They need players on the bottom six who could make their own chances and bring his teammates up with them. They need someone who will accept playing on the fourth line but also could jump up to the third line if it is absolutely necessary. That’s Johnson.
As you can see, the Devils don’t have a ton of options. There’s nothing like Stamkos or Marchessault that can be added to the top six, but there are pieces that would make sense in their lineup.