The New Jersey Devils finally got the trade wheels in motion, moving Ondrej Palat and picks to the New York Islanders. It frees up money for them to make another move, and general manager Tom Fitzgerald already explained he’d like to add a top-six forward.
Things have changed leading up to the Palat trade with some Devils trade chips. With the expectation that New Jersey isn’t done dealing, what tier do each of their assets live in?
Safe, Untouchable
Jack Hughes
He’s the face of the franchise. That’s it. That’s the explanation.
Luke Hughes
He’s the brother of the face of the franchise, and the Devils believe he’s still the No. 1 defenseman of the future. That’s it. That’s the explanation.
Nico Hischier
Don’t buy into those pesky trade rumors. Of course, teams want the Devils captain. However, he’s not going anywhere. He’s part of the solution and is the Devils’ leader in goals and points.
Brett Pesce
The Devils don’t have a genuine No. 1 defenseman, but Brett Pesce is as close as it gets. And if/when the Devils get a true No. 1, whether that’s internally or externally, Pesce is the kind of complementary, shutdown defenseman every team desires. You saw how bad the Devils were in his absence. Not to mention his full no-trade clause. He’s not going anywhere, either.
Trade Chip for Premium Return
Jesper Bratt
Perhaps it’s time to shake things up. The Devils have plenty of distributors and could use a bona fide scorer. If there’s a Jason Robertson-like player out there the Devils can net in return, you consider asking Jesper Bratt to waive his no-move clause and hope he does for the Robertsons of the NHL.
Timo Meier
Timo Meier is perhaps the most frustrating Devils forward to watch. You can see all the raw talent in the world there. However, he’s incredibly streaky and often contributes to team-wide dry spells. Meier is the Devils’ highest-paid forward and obviously has the elite skill set. Consistency is his issue; he is unable to find the form the Devils traded for when they reeled him in from San Jose. Still, he’s one of New Jersey’s best players. But you move him for a sure upgrade, such as Robertson, or perhaps Brady Tkachuk.
Dougie Hamilton
Trade talks with Dougie Hamilton have cooled off. The Devils aren’t just going to trade him to trade him. They’re open to it, but it needs to make sense. Especially after Luke’s injury, which will keep him out of the lineup for a little while. Hamilton is finally playing like the defenseman they’re paying him to be. So the Devils need him right now. Unless someone proposes an offer Fitzgerald can’t refuse, this likely doesn’t happen until the summer.
Simon Nemec
When you look at what Simon Nemec has done this season, you see a player who has made strides in certain areas but still needs some sharpening in others. He undoubtedly has the clutch factor, and has figured things out on the offensive side of the puck. Defensively, however, his skill set isn’t as caught up. You don’t move Nemec for nothing. He was one of the centerpieces in a potential Quinn Hughes deal. If the Devils are getting a stud, you trade Nemec.
Lenni Hämeenaho
Lenni Hämeenaho has been a revelation. He has the makings of a solid middle-six forward, perhaps a low-end top-six player. He’s clicking well right now, but it’s a short sample size. For a proven NHLer who will be part of the Devils’ future, you include Hämeenaho in a deal.
Arseny Gritsyuk
You try your very hardest not to trade Arseny Gritsyuk. However, if a team is giving up a premium asset and is insistent he’s part of a trade, you do it. If you want change, and you want a premium winger for Jack, it’s a hard pill to swallow, but you have to do it.
Mikhail Yegorov & Jakub Malek
You try not to do this. But if it nets you a stud, you move one, not both.
Will Trade for an Upgrade
Dawson Mercer
One and a half years into his bridge deal, Dawson Mercer just hasn’t provided the pop the Devils hoped he would. He’s a bit of a Swiss Army Knife, so he does plenty of things well in the neutral and defensive zones, but for someone who was named as Tyler Toffoli’s offensive replacement, he hasn’t lived up to the expectations. Still, Mercer is a coveted player, and you don’t hesitate to move him for a need.
Jonas Siegenthaler
Jonas Siegenthaler has hot and cold streaks, but ultimately for what he’s worth dollars-wise versus what he provides, his Devils tenure is a net positive. Still, the Devils have depth on the blue line, and if there’s a team interested in his services, trade him for something of worth in return.
Cody Glass
Cody Glass has been so good… when he’s in the lineup. However, he’s also so injury-prone. Perhaps the Devils should cash in on what’s been his best offensive output so far in his career and bring in someone who is a clear third-line center who will be more reliable health-wise.
Anton Silayev
The Devils’ first-round pick in 2024 is a hulking blue liner that is developing in the KHL. Some have expressed concerns over his offensive output. However, that’s not his game. I still think Anton Silayev will be an impact defenseman in the NHL—think Zdeno Chara-like. He’s more a premium trade chip than others on this list, but if the Devils can net a scorer, the Devils should trade Silayev.
Package Builder Trade Chips
Seamus Casey
Seamus Casey is probably NHL-ready, but he just can’t cut through the logjam. He’s undersized but superskilled and could most likely quarterback a handful of second-unit power plays in the league. Perhaps, even some top units. There’s value in the back-to-back AHL All-Star, and he should be dangled as part of a package for an upgrade.
Colton White
The Devils have to be ecstatic with Colton White, who improved his stock tenfold this season. He’s proven to be a reliable everyday NHLer, but like Casey, he won’t cut through the logjam. His skill set is the opposite of Casey’s, more reliable defensively, and could certainly be the finishing touches on a Devils trade package to net an upgrade in a deal.
Paul Cotter
It’s been an off year for Paul Cotter, but there’s still a valuable player there. He’s clearly got the offensive skills to make great plays, but his mind hasn’t caught up to his hands. He also hits everything, which teams covet, especially playoff-bound ones. Furthermore, he’s even proven versatile, holding down the center position when called on. He’s not going to be a prime trade chip, but he could help complete a package.
Maxim Tsyplakov
The Devils moved off Palat’s contract with picks to reel in Maxim Tsyplakov. I still think there’s a player there after a 10-goal, 35-point rookie season. He netted 30 goals in the KHL two years ago. His deployment this season was inconsistent, and he just seemingly didn’t fit in on Long Island anymore. His value is probably at its lowest, so he’s not going to fetch a big return. But, in a package, Tsyplakov was coveted when it was revealed he was ready to cross the pond, and could pique the interest of some teams if he’s available again.
Nico Daws
Similar to the blue line, Nico Daws can’t cut through the logjam in goal. He won’t play over Allen, and the Devils aren’t going to bench their $6 million goaltender. Yet, Daws has proven in the big moments he can hack it in the NHL. Goaltending is coveted, and the Devils have Yegorov and Malek developing nicely in the pipeline. They could, and should, use Daws as a trade chip to upgrade.
Unlikely to Move
Connor Brown
Connor Brown has been an excellent Devil so far, providing depth, playing up in the lineup when needed, and contributing on special teams. Plus, he has a full no-trade clause. Perhaps they could ask him to waive, but I don’t see why they would unless it’s an offer they can’t refuse.
Brenden Dillon
Like Brown, it’s the same situation for Brenden Dillon. He’s been excellent this season, one of the Devils’ mainstays, and owns a full no-trade. Not only should he stay, but he should wear the vacant ‘A’ left by Palat.
Johnathan Kovacevic
Johnathan Kovacevic has only just returned from injury, is still acclimating, and his new five-year contract just kicked in with a full no-trade clause. The Devils shouldn’t be opposed to moving him, but it’s unlikely they do.
Evgenii Dadonov
No points and a full no-trade clause make Evgenii Dadonov an unlikely candidate to move. He might be in the following category; however, he’s been injured and has the prowess that a contender might want to add at a cheap $1 million cap hit. Still, he has full autonomy over his future. If he goes, it’s on his terms.
Jake Allen
Jake Allen is the Devils’ best goaltender. If they want to make the playoffs, they cannot rely on his partner. He shouldn’t be going anywhere as part of the bigger picture with four years remaining on his contract, and owns a full no-trade.
No One Wants
Jacob Markstrom
Jacob Markstrom ranks 86th out of 90 goaltenders in goals saved above expected (-11.2). His new two-year contract has yet to even kick in. Woof.
Luke Glendening
The Devils are undoubtedly a better team when Luke Glendening doesn’t play. A rookie replaced him in the lineup, shifting Cotter to center, and the Devils had the most success they’ve had while he watched. Certainly a hard sell.
Stefan Noesen
It’s been a tough second year for Stefan Noesen, who scored a career-high 22 goals last season. Injuries set him back this year, and it’s possible he doesn’t even return.
Juho Lammikko
Why are you even here?
Not Listed
Zack MacEwen & Marc McLoughlin (injured).
