As the New Jersey Devils look to improve the roster in front of head coach Sheldon Keefe, it's on GM Tom Fitzgerald to give him a roster that can win. The old saying goes, "You're working with the tools you are given." Well, if the tools weren't the most dynamic he has worked with after years of endless talent in Toronto, there's a lot this general can do with utilizing this team. How Sheldon Keefe held this roller coaster of a season with so many injuries was not his fault. It is only a matter of those players rebounding from previous injuries.
It is not an excuse, but it is the strengthening program off the ice and recovery process that seems to need the most improvement, seeing the team continue to deal with constant injuries that have had them fall in the standings. However, injuries aside, the depth does not need to be depleted by trading away set controllable contracts and outstanding rookies showing promise. However, the Larry Brooks trade deal (paywalled link) that included much more than what he put out in the NY Post is beyond the leverage Jim Rutherford has lost for potential tampering.
Speaking of crazy and silly season, let's take a look at the possible deal for Quinn Hughes. Wouldn't be surprised to see Dougie Hamilton waive his no-trade clause if he is given something from Vancouver. Vancouver in this deal would get Dougie Hamilton, Seamus Casey, Dawson Mercer, and Edmonton's 2025 2nd-round pick. In return, the Devils would get Quinn Hughes LHD, Tyler Myers as a throw-in to help ease in the Jonathan Kovacevic injury and help the Canucks with their full rebuild, while getting the 2026 2nd rounder from Vancouver.
Signing Ryan Donato off the free agent market from a rebuilding Chicago Blackhawks team, where he had 31 goals and 62 points in 80 games played, would be a solid addition as a veteran who has seen a jump in points over the past five seasons. Having him alongside Paul Cotter and Jack Hughes will be a nice addition. Cotter is the strong forechecking linemate who can get the dirty rebounds; Hughes is the facilitator and goal scorer.
Meanwhile, he can feed off Jack and still be his own lethal shot and passer on a top 6 pairing. His ties to the NCAA College Hockey East and his native roots to Boston, Massachusetts, are something GM Tom Fitzgerald has a wicked strong connection to as a Billerica native.
If you look into the storyline a little bit from the past few summers Tom Fitzgerald added size via trade, and free agency. However, adding a finisher in Ryan Donato would aid guys like Timo Meier, Jesper Bratt, and Jack Hughes with the emergence of Lenni Hameenaho and Arseniy Gritsyuk, who look to add their goal-scoring touches over time. Speaking of which, let's go over the Finnish Toffoli.
The speed and agility of Lenni Hameenaho are above average, yet smooth in agility. He is a pure playmaker and goal scorer blend of a winger. He has come up big in Liiga and showed his determination to be a bit more physical than in the past, and he has a competitive streak. His knack for coming up big in tournaments is a sign that he is a potential bottom-six, top-nine winger when it really matters. Having him around in the bottom 6 takes pressure off the top 6 forwards on Sheldon Keefe's roster. Over time, Hameenaho can utilize his game under a more defensive, physical game that his new coach has made guys like Jesper Bratt, a Swedish goal scorer and tactician, play both facets of his game. There is always a special touch a coach can do to squeeze out the most in a player.
Arseniy Gritsyuk is the last real prospect, or in this case, veteran KHL'er, that beloved GM Ray Shero had picked with then Assistant GM Tom Fitzgerald. The front office knew the upside in Russian wingers' game, but they took a ginger and long-term approach by letting the winger mature his game in the KHL. He was on the Gagarin Cup team in Avangard that won it all. He has a phenomenal form in the slapshot, keeping his hands inside the puck, opening his hips, and letting his lower and core body influence the torque of his stick. Arseniy's speed and skating are real pluses and will make it very entertaining for fans to watch.
Over the next few seasons, Gritsyuk, Lenni Hameenaho, and other additions must begin to succeed in their roles, pushing this team from playoff perennials to potential Cup contenders here in New Jersey, and make a true push.