It’s early yet, but folks are already beginning to talk trade, and the New Jersey Devils find themselves in the conversation early. Do the Devils need to make a splashy add, or just acquire some depth? More from one insider on whom they’re eyeing and why in the links.
Also below, a good ol’ Jack Hughes vs. Sidney Crosby debate. You’ll understand when you read it.
Elsewhere, Larry Brooks’ advice to James Dolan, Trevor Zegras’ contract, and Evgeni Malkin talks future.
Let’s do that hockey.
Devils Trade Rumors & News
New Jersey Hockey Now: The Devils are almost certainly going to be buyers by the NHL trade deadline. Heck, they could even do so before we get there. In fact, one report suggests they’ve already poked around a familiar face with the Calgary Flames.
More NJHN: Spittin’ Chiclets’ Pasha Eshghi joined me last week, and we reopened a can of worms. He stated Jack Hughes is better than Sidney Crosby, and explained why.
Even More: Brenden Dillon has stepped up for the Devils in a big way this season. However, yesterday—which was his birthday, by the way—he was slapped with a max fine for an illegal check against the Chicago Blackhawks.
Devils Rink Report: Jeff Marek joins me today to talk Devils! On the dock, we’ll certainly be talking Simon Nemec, the logjam at defense when healthy, and goaltending.
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NHL Trade Talk, News, & National Hockey Now
Forever Blueshirts: It wasn’t uncommon for Larry Brooks to ruffle a few feathers in his day. It’s what made him one of the best in the business. However, the thin-skinned New York Rangers owner, James Dolan, got a different side of Brooks one night, when he offered Dolan invaluable advice.
Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Evgeni Malkin is at an interesting point in his career. The Pittsburgh Penguins are winning, but they’re also rebuilding, but they might make the playoffs. Yeah, it’s a precarious place for the veterans in Steel City to be in. Malkin talks about just wanting to be happy, and his pending free-agent status.
Colorado Hockey Now: Ex-Devils goaltender, current Colorado Avalanche backstop, Scott Wedgewood, signed an extension to remain in Denver yesterday. Honestly, with his body of work, I’m surprised it wasn’t longer.
Florida Hockey Now: It sounds like we’re getting close to seeing Matthew Tkachuk on the ice. The Florida Panthers head coach says so.
Philly Hockey Now: So, Trevor Zegras is working out in Philly, huh? It’s early, still. However, how does a general manager know when the right time to put pen to paper is in this kind of a situation. We know Zegras has all the talent in the world. Yet, we’ve seen him fall off. Can he sustain the current success with the Philadelphia Flyers? It all leads to the question, when should they extend him?
Montreal Hockey Now: Perhaps this will be a bit surprising to hear, but the Montreal Canadiens have a problem at forward. Yes, they have All-Star firepower. However, after the top line, things fall off rather quick. So, what do they do?
