Pucks and Pitchforks
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Players from the Atlantic Division the New Jersey Devils can steal in NHL free agency

The New Jersey Devils need to be active in NHL free agency, and the Atlantic Division has plenty of solid players who wouldn’t mind playing in Newark.

By Todd Matthews

Apr 8, 2023; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; New Jersey Devils center Nico Hischier (13) tries to poke the puck away from Boston Bruins left wing Jake DeBrusk (74) during the first period at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 8, 2023; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; New Jersey Devils center Nico Hischier (13) tries to poke the puck away from Boston Bruins left wing Jake DeBrusk (74) during the first period at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports / Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
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Zemgus Girgensons, F/Buffalo

Jake DeBrusk would be a great prize for the Devils, but Zemgus Girgensons wouldn’t make a bad consolation if the former is unavailable. Girgensons isn’t giving anyone top-six minutes, nor would he score in the same way as DeBrusk, but he’s still one of the game’s best purely defensive forwards. 

Girgensons is a physical player who doesn’t often get caught out of position, and that’s something all Devils fans need to see from their players. If Tom Fitzgerald went out and signed Girgensons, it wouldn’t be the most popular signing, but few can deny he would be a necessary addition. 

If you want proof, Girgensons on-ice save percentage at even strength has been a solid 91.9 or higher in each of the past four seasons. He’s been on the ice for fewer goals allowed than expected in the same situation in each of the last two, and his Corsi For indicates he’s been a major factor in helping the Sabres find ways to get shots off in the offensive zone. 

Shayne Gostisbehere, D/Detroit

Ideally, the Devils would go with a more defensive-oriented blueliner, and Shayne Gostisbehere, unfortunately, isn’t that player. But it doesn’t mean he wouldn’t be useful in Newark, thanks to his ability to find ways to help his team put up goals. 

Last season, Luke Hughes was the Devils highest-scoring defenseman with 47 points and nine goals, and while Hughes will be a stellar blueliner in this league, he’s not ready to have the weight of a two-way game completely thrust onto his shoulders. The next highest-scoring defenseman was John Marino, who had 25 points, so Gostisbehere would fill a role. 

He was one of the NHL’s higher points-producers on the blue line, with 56 points and 10 goals, marking the third time he put up 50-plus points in a season. Gostisbehere would also make for a good quarterback on either power play unit, and his experience at 5-on-4 would also be an excellent learning experience for Hughes. 

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