Devils Shouldn’t Pursue a Defenseman at the Trade Deadline

Casey has also been exceptional for the Utica Comets, with 15 points in 22 games, including two game-winning goals. For now, he has earned his roster spot with the Devils, but his role will be reevaluated once Siegenthaler returns. Casey represents the future of the Devils’ blue line, and his added depth means the team does not need to add a defenseman ahead of the deadline. However, another young defenseman could be shopped to acquire a much-needed bottom-six forward.

Could Simon Nemec Be a Trade Asset?

The Devils should utilize one of their defensive assets, and they already have the ultimate bargaining chip in Nemec. The 21-year-old was selected second overall in the 2022 Draft, but he is frustrated with his situation in New Jersey. He isn’t a good fit for head coach Sheldon Keefe, who expressed unhappiness with Nemec’s recent performance. Why not make both parties happy with a trade?

The numbers don’t lie. Despite having the same number of shots on goal as Casey, Nemec averages just .32 points per 60 minutes. In addition, Nemec has a -23.9 relative expected goals percentage. He’s in a sophomore slump, so the Devils should trade him now instead of waiting things out. Other players have been unreliable offensively, including Curtis Lazar, Tomas Tatar, and Nathan Bastian, and the Devils could trade Nemec, along with a bottom-six forward, to acquire a third or fourth-line center who can score goals.

The team already has a solid long-term defensive core, including Siegenthaler, Dougie Hamilton, and Brett Pesce. Plus, at the end of the season, there are two important contracts to negotiate: Luke Hughes and Johnathan Kovacevic. It makes more sense to acquire a short-term forward than to overcomplicate their defense.

Who Should the Devils Target?

With a surplus of defensive talent, the Devils could easily trade Nemec to bolster their bottom-six. In recent months, they have been linked to a wide range of players, but here are the three most feasible options.

The Predators could offer a solution in the form of Ryan O’Reilly. A veteran two-way center, he is on pace for another 50-point season and would provide additional forward depth. He has 14 goals and 21 assists – a major upgrade from Erik Haula’s 11-point total this season. O’Reilly has a 59% Corsi and has created 139 high-danger chances (HDCF), which fits with the Devils’ style of play.

Another option is pending unrestricted free agent Kyle Palmieri, who would be an excellent source of secondary scoring. The 34-year-old is in the final year of his contract with the New York Islanders but spent six seasons with the Devils. Palmieri would be a good fit because he is a consistent goal scorer. In his last five games, he has four goals, one assist and averaged 3.4 shots on goal per game. Also, his 16.2 shooting percentage (S%) would greatly improve the Devils’ forward group.

Jared McCann, who has experience playing both right wing and center, would also be a good target. McCann has been a 20+ goal scorer since joining the Seattle Kraken, including a career-high 40 goals in 2022-23. Not only does he average 2.48 points per 60 minutes, but he also has a 12.1 on-ice expected goal differential in 5-on-4 scenarios. McCann should be at the top of the Devils’ list before the deadline, but it’s up to Fitzgerald to address the team’s most pressing matter.

Devils Must Make a Move

With the regular season winding down, the Devils need to make a move before the deadline. However, they must keep their sights set on the playoffs and avoid the mistake of acquiring a blueliner out of sheer convenience. The team is more than capable of winning games, but their situation is too volatile. They must find a temporary bottom-six forward instead of wasting precious cap space locking a defenseman into an unnecessary deal.