We are about to say goodbye to the second month of the New Jersey Devils season, and honestly, it's been a very good ride. The Devils have been incredible in November, and it's largely thanks to the play of the defense. The biggest surprise on the defense has been from one of the newest Devils, Johnathan Kovacevic.
Kovacevic was supposed to be the Devils seventh defenseman when the team traded for him from the Montreal Canadiens, but he was given an immediate opportunity when we learned that Brett Pesce and Luke Hughes would miss the beginning of the season. He took the opportunity by the horns, and he hasn't looked back.
Kovacevic has been so good that he single-handedly sent both Seamus Casey and Simon Nemec down to the AHL. He's been dominant on a line with Jonas Siegenthaler, who once again looks like a dominant force.
Should the New Jersey Devils jump the gun and re-sign Johnathan Kovacevic?
With how well its gone with Johnathan Kovecevic, the Devils have to ask themselves when the right time to re-sign him to an extension could be. Is it right now?
The Devils love to jump the gun on defensemen extensions. They re-signed Jonas Siegenthaler before they had to, and he signed for what many consider a discount. However, the Devils are dealing with two problems when it comes to a Kovacevic extension. Really, it's three issues, but the third is "have we seen enough of Kovacevic to re-sign him?," which is fair.
The real issue is the length of contracts currently on this defense. Siegenthaler and Dougie Hamilton are signed through 2028. Brett Pesce is signed through 2030. Brenden Dillon was just given a three-year deal, and the Devils need to give Luke Hughes a massive contract this offseason. Can they afford to give yet another defenseman a long-term deal? We don't think Kovacevic would accept a bridge deal, as he is an unrestricted free agent in the offseason. The Devils also got to pay Kovacevic under the "league minimum" this season. His cap hit is under $800,000. He will want to make up for lost dollars.
Then, there's the Casey and Nemec factor. The Devils signing Kovacevic would lock in their right side without even considering their two best prospects. It seems like a risk unless something is happening with Hamilton this offseason. Nemec was an NHL player last season, and Casey looked like one earlier this season. They can't afford to keep them behind Kovacevic for long.
It's a "good" problem to have, but the Devils really have themselves in a place where they have to wait and see on Kovacevic. If he continues to force the issue, the Devils will do what they have to do and figure it out later on Nemec and Casey. However, for now, they have time to spare, even if it costs them a few bucks down the line.