Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald Looking To Build Towards The Future

The New Jersey Devils are an interesting team as the trade deadline approaches. New Jersey was hoping to be in a different position than in years previous at the deadline. Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald made it his goal to have this team playing meaningful games this season. Unfortunately, that has not happened. But that does not mean this team will not be playing meaningful games in the future.

That is why Fitzgerald is looking to the trade deadline a place where he can improve his team for the future.

“We want to improve; you can never have enough good players at every position,” Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald said a few weeks ago in an interview with NHL.com.

While the Devils have a few unrestricted free agents in Jimmy Vesey and P.K. Subban, Fitzgerald knows he may not get much of a return for them to help build towards the future. Though teams may be calling on Vesey and possibly Subban, Fitzgerald knows it will be tough to move Subban’s contract. And what is Fitzgerald looking for? Well, he is for players that fit in with his youthful young top-six core. And most importantly a player that is controllable. The only way to do get those types of players is to make a hockey trade.

“Is there a hockey trade you could make to not only help your team immediately but the future?,” Tom Fitzgerald continued with NHL.com. “Somebody in the age demographic of where we’re at with the core of our team. Is there a hockey trade that makes sense for us more long term, but can help jumpstart us now? We’re not settled on ‘we’re too good up the middle or ‘we’ve got some quality wingers’ or ‘we’ve got some good defensemen coming.'”

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The Devils have dipped their toes into the trade waters as reports have come out surrounding them to talking to the Vancouver Canucks. Mainly in regards to players Conor Garland and Brock Boeser. Both players — if the Devils were able to trade for — would be controllable, especially Garland, who just signed a new extension. Both players would fit into the age range Fitzgerald is looking to build around. Not to mention, both Boeser and Garland could add the necessary scoring the Devils need to succeed going forward.

Garland has a reasonable contract as he has four years remaining that carries a salary-cap hit of $4.95 million. Boeser is a little trickier, as he is in the final year of his contract that carries a salary-cap hit of $5.875 million and is in need of a new contract. So if the Devils were to trade for Boeser, the team would have two players who were restricted free agents that have arbitration rights. The other is Jesper Bratt. However, if the Devils were to trade for either Garland or Boeser, they would have the opportunity to play alongside either Nico Hischier or Jack Hughes.

The Devils have the cap space to make this hockey-type trade. But in order to get something, a team has to give up something. And that something or someone is Pavel Zacha. Zacha’s name has come up in trade talks in the past. And his name is being tied to the talks with the Vancouver Canucks. The Canucks like this player. However, the opportunity may have passed for the Devils to trade Zacha as his value was at the highest last off-season.

In addition to the Canucks, the Devils are talking to other teams including the Anaheim Ducks. According to several sources, the Devils could be bringing back Adam Henrique. The Ducks need cap relief to re-sign Hampus Lindholm, Rickard Rakell, and Josh Manson. However, Lindholm is going to test free agency, but the other two could re-sign. Therefore, the Devils could bring back Henrique.

However, Henrique carries a salary-cap hit of $5.825 million and would have to waive his modified no-trade clause to come back to New Jersey. Though the cap hit is reasonable, The Devils are set at the center position with Hischier, Hughes, and Dawson Mercer. But as Fitzgerald has stated, the team is always looking to improve at every position and is not content with the players they have there.

Though the Devils have the cap space Zacha, Bratt, and Jesper Boqvist need new contracts. Especially Bratt, who is the teams leading scorer. And Bratt will likely get a raise, so if the Devils bring back Henrique, the money shrinks for Bratt. Though talks have not started yet with Bratt, it would be wise for the Devils to keep him to a shorter-term deal.

One thing is for sure the Devils are a team to keep an eye on as the trade deadline approaches. Tom Fitzgerald has a track record of making good trades.