Even with the New Jersey Devils season having ended in game 82, there is still a reason for fans to tune into the playoffs. The Devils enter their off-season with glaring needs. The first is for a new head coach. Once that is checked off the list, general manager (GM) Tom Fitzgerald will look to improve his team. With much of his core signed long-term, there is a need to fill in the margins with players who will increase the team’s compete level. Fitzgerald lamented the Devils’ strength and conditioning in his post-season press conference. Those comments and the players discussing a need for accountability and maturity demonstrate that Fitzgerald has significant work ahead. With nearly $20 million in cap space and only 14 players under contract, the ability to sign big-ticket free agents is limited. Instead, he will have to go bargain hunting. He should start by taking a look at the teams in the playoffs.
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The Devils have distinct needs. They must find a center to replace what they got from Mike McLeod. Specifically, a player who wins faceoffs, skates well, is strong on the puck, and can center a checking/shut down line. They also need a middle-six winger who has a strong two-way game and a stout, penalty-killing defenseman who will control the front of the net. They may have to look to fill some needs by trade, but here are some players on expiring contracts who could be a low-cost fit for New Jersey.
Florida Panthers
Under Paul Maurice, the Florida Panthers have developed a fast, physical, counterattacking team that competes every shift. The Devils would be wise to look south when trying to find a team they can emulate. Fortunately for Fitzgerald, he should be able to poach some of the Panthers, as the team has ten pending unrestricted free agents (UFA). Many of them fit the Devils’ specific needs.
Vladimir Tarasenko – Middle Six Forward
Forward Vladimir Tarasenko has shown he still has gas in the tank and a desire to play for a team competing for the Stanley Cup. He would slot well into the place vacated by Tyler Toffoli, probably at a lower cost and with better defensive production. He is also a better skater and defender than Toffoli. Before his trade from the Ottawa Senators, he impressively was plus-13 on a team that finished the season minus-21. He would be a solid contributor to the power play and could either fit as secondary scoring on a third line with Ondrej Palat and Erik…
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