4 defensemen trades New Jersey Devils can make to replace Kevin Bahl with an upgrade
The New Jersey Devils just made a massive trade to upgrade their goalie position, but it came at a steep cost. How can the Devils replace starting defenseman Kevin Bahl in a trade?
The New Jersey Devils made a huge splash on Wednesday morning, trading for former Calgary Flames goaltender Jacob Markstrom. It was a move that was literally months in the making. The Devils have been tied to Markstrom since January, and the deal finally happened.
To make the move, the Devils had to hit the Flames price. It was out there that the Flames wanted a first-round pick and a prospect or young player. That’s what they got. The Devils sent them Kevin Bahl and a top-10 protected 2025 first-round pick. If the Devils years-long battle with bad goaltending ends with Markstrom, it’s totally worth it. However, they need to replace Bahl on the backup with an upgrade.
The most obvious route to that is free agency. After the move, the Devils still have $16 million in cap space with only Dawson Mercer looking for decent money. So, the Devils can spend, but should they? Players like Nikita Zadorov and Chris Tanev could cost a fortune. However, a trade could get the Devils a cost-controlled asset for 2024-25. Who might be available?
1. Shea Theodore
Vegas Golden Knights
This would be a massive win for the Devils if Shea Theodore starts the season on the roster. He’s a very good defenseman who just happened to be etched out of the Vegas Golden Knights top pairing. They made moves for Alex Pietrangelo and Noah Hanifin. So, that now makes Theodore expendable.
What is he worth right now? He’s in the last year of his deal, but his less than $6 million salary will be enticing to most teams. The Devils will likely have a lot of competition, but the juicy option on the free agent wire might make it fortuitous for the Devils to make this move before the draft. It likely wouldn’t cost the 10th overall pick, but the Devils would have to give the Knights something they can use in future trades.
This is obviously the peak scenario, as Theodore would immediately make this one of the deepest defenses in the league. Add in progression from Luke Hughes and Simon Nemec, likely bounce backs from John Marino and Jonas Siegenthaler, and the return of Dougie Hamilton with about 10 months to recover, and this unit would be championship-level. That’s a lot to ask, including getting Theodore with limited assets, but Tom Fitzgerald needs to do everything he can to make it happen.
2, Radko Gudas
Anaheim Ducks
Many New Jersey Devils fans wanted the team to go after Radko Gudas when he was a free agent. It made sense. He brings a certain level of snarl that the Devils were missing on the back end. While they have a point, Gudas went to Anaheim to get a bad. He signed a three-year deal worth $12 million.
Truthfully, it’s not that bad a deal. It’s a deal that makes a lot of sense for the Ducks. Gudas can play a leadership role while also making sure the team plays the right way, even if the lack of talent causes losses overall. Then, the Ducks can trade him for assets.
There’s one huge problem here, though. Former Devils star and current Ducks GM Pat Verbeek is known as a very hard negotiator, and he won’t be giving a discount to his former team. In fact, he might ask for more just because.
Still, the Devils would be getting Gudas for two years, which is hard to find on the market today. Most players are in the last year of their deal. The Devils would absolutely give Gudas a two-year deal worth $8 million total. He might be just what this team needs from that second line.
3. Mario Ferraro
San Jose Sharks
The San Jose Sharks are in a weird spot this offseason. They just announced they have no interest in trading Logan Couture, despite him being one of the few assets on the team that isn't insanely young but has a ton of value. So, the Sharks are going to look elsewhere to keep the tank vibes going. They have the first-overall pick coming their way in Macklin Celebrini. Now, it's time to build further.
Enter 25-year-old Mario Ferraro. The defenseman is somewhat of a soft spot for Devils fans. The Sharks drafted him with the second-round pick Ray Shero sent them to get Mirco Mueller. It might finally be time to rectify that mistake. The Devils should definitely be after Ferraro. He fits their timeline perfectly, and he could be the foil for Dougie Hamilton that they hoped Siegenthaler would be. It moves Siegs down to the proper position, taking pressure off him on a nightly basis.
Ferraro will come at a price, but the Devils should absolutely inquire. Would he be worth that 10th overall pick? No other team would likely match that offer for a top-pairing defensive defenseman. Yet, it makes all the sense in the world for the Devils, who have built their defense around a player like Ferraro on the top line. It’s a steep price, but it might be one worth paying if this is the link that fixes this defense for good.
4. Jakob Chychrun
Ottawa Senators
This one is complicated for the Devils. To get Jakob Chychrun, it’s going to cost that 10th overall pick. The Senators might be willing to sweeten the pot if the Devils do the same. Let’s talk about the fit first.
Chychrun is a legitimate star on the backend. He was once one of the most desirable pieces on a bad team. He toiled in Arizona for years, making just one playoff appearance in his time in the desert. Would that scare the Devils off? Chychrun only has six more playoff games in his career than Luke Hughes.
Still, this trade is all about the talent. Chychrun is amazing, and he’d give Hamilton an immediate superstar partner. They’d be menaces out there, putting together some creative passing to drive offense without losing everything on the defensive end.
The real stoppage for Tom Fitzgerald would be the contract. Chychrun is in the last year of his deal, and he’s looking to get paid on an extension. Would Fitzgerald give up the 10th overall pick for a player that is out the door next year? We assume he’d try to work another trade to avoid giving up that asset.
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