NHL free agency is two weeks away and the Devils are expected to be one of the busiest teams during it.
That’s what Daily Faceoff reporter Frank Seravalli said at least when discussing GM Tom Fitzgerald’s offseason plans on his podcast last week.
“A GM messaged me yesterday and said the Devils are looking for a top-six forward, a bottom-six forward, top-four defenseman, bottom-four defenseman and a goalie,” said Seravalli.
The long list makes sense. We knew Fitzgerald would have his work cut out for him after a disappointing 38-39-5 season and now were half a month away from figuring out his solutions to NJ’s issues.
With that, here are five pending UFAs we expect the Devils to target this offseason:
D Brenden Dillon, Winnipeg Jets
When listening to Fitzgerald’s comments this summer, Jets defenseman Brenden Dillon sticks out as a player he’s leaning toward adding. He has a big frame — 6-foot-4, 220 pounds — and can kill penalties and block shots. One added bonus: Dillon is not afraid to drop the gloves — which Fitzgerald clearly values, given Kurtis MacDermid’s quick three-year extension. One final reason to believe Dillon is coming to Newark: The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun wondered if it was a possibility earlier this month.
LW Anthony Duclair, Tampa Bay Lightning
Anthony Duclair is the ideal top six forward for the Devils this summer — and his price tag is relatively low. A speedy and skilled scorer and playmaker, Duclair was a 30-plus goal scorer with the Panthers just two seasons ago and notched 24 goals while playing for the Sharks and Lightning last season. He’s projected to get a three-year, $4.3 million deal this summer, per AFP Analytics.
C Chandler Stephenson, Vegas Golden Knights
If Jack Hughes becomes a full-time wing this season — which does not seem likely, despite him not taking a single faceoff in the final months of 2023-24 — then Chandler Stephenson must become New Jersey’s top target this summer. He’s a quick skater who has put up 50-plus points the last three seasons and carved his way to a top line role on the injury-laden Golden Knights last year. Acquiring Stephenson would also bump Erik Haula down to the third center spot, which already makes NJ’s lineup deeper.
LW Jordan Martinook, Carolina Hurricanes
Jordan Martinook is a heavy bottom-six player who performs in the playoffs and, by most accounts, is an excellent team leader in Carolina’s dressing room. Fitzgerald should be all over him if his projected contract of three-years, $2.7 million (per AFP Analytics) proves to be his actual worth this summer.
LW William Carrier, Vegas Golden Knights
Here’s William Carrier’s game summed up in three words: Speed, grit and physicality. While he might benefit from the “playoff hockey player” salary bump that’s projected this offseason, Fitzgerald should still be willing to do whatever it takes to get him in his bottom six. He adds a perfect amount of sandpaper and is quick enough to keep pace in Sheldon Keefe’s speedy system.
