Can the Devils Solve Their 3C Problem Internally?

The New Jersey Devils need to figure out their third-line center position, but could the fix come internally in the short term?

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The New Jersey Devils addressed some of their needs in free agency by signing Connor Brown and Evgenii Dadonov, but they've yet to address one of their most pressing concerns: finding a third-line center.

It's only July 16, so there's no reason to panic yet. After all, the most "exciting" trade since July 1 was the Ike Howard for Sam O'Reilly swap, so it's not like anything is materializing on the trade market just yet.

But let's say worst comes to worst, and the Devils can't address their center need through the trade market, can they fill the void internally in the short term?

Glass Is One Option

Cody Glass was the first draft pick in the history of the Vegas Golden Knights, going sixth overall in the 2017 draft, the same year the Devils selected Nico Hischier with the first overall pick.

Glass only played in 66 games for the Golden Knights before they traded him to the Nashville Predators in part of a three-team deal with the Philadelphia Flyers that sent Nolan Patrick to the Golden Knights.

It was in Nashville where Glass found his footing a bit after struggling to produce with the Golden Knights. He totaled 14 goals and 35 points in 72 games in 2022-23 with the Predators, production you hope to get from a third-line center.

Unfortunately, Glass' play dropped off in the following season, leading to the Predators trading him to the Pittsburgh Penguins. Glass rebounded this past season, posting some impressive underlying numbers with the Penguins before getting dealt to the Devils at the trade deadline.

Glass had some of the best five-on-five metrics among Penguins skaters, posting an expected goals share (xG%) of 57.12 percent, and his even-strength defense was worth a goals above replacement of 4.4 before the trade.

The Devils did get a taste of what Glass could offer them over a full season. He produced at a 40-point pace over an 82-game season with the Devils and posted some impressive five-on-five numbers, totaling an xG% of 53.9 percent.

Glass was excellent defensively with the Devils, and it's clear that's the strength of his game. But he might have more to offer offensively, perhaps closer to what he totaled with the Predators in 2022-23.