Devils 2024 Free Agency Primer: Expect Action

With a few needs to address still, expect the New Jersey Devils to be busy in free agency this year.

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Welcome to the free-agent frenzy, New Jersey Devils fans. It should be a busy July 1 and the next few days for the Devils and general manager Tom Fitzgerald, with the team still looking to fill some needs, even after being busy in the weeks leading up to free agency.

The Devils got their goaltender in Jacob Markström and added a fourth-liner in Paul Cotter, but there's plenty more to do over the next few days. The Devils are probably still looking for a bottom-six forward, a top-six winger, and a bottom-four defenseman. Let's set the table for free agency.

Pesce a Lock for the Devils?

First, it seems like Brett Pesce is close to a lock to become a Devil when the market opens at noon today. The rumors first surfaced via Elliotte Friedman on 32 Thoughts about a week or so ago, and he confirmed on this weekend's episode of 32 Thoughts that it appears Pesce is New Jersey-bound.

John Marino heading to Utah in a Day 2 trade at the NHL Draft seemed to confirm those suspicions that Pesce will be a Devil. We'll get into what he'll bring to the team in the coming days if/when the signing becomes official, but he should be a bit of an upgrade over Marino because he excels in some areas where Marino struggled this past season.

We'll see what Pesce's contract looks like, but Evolving Hockey has him projected for a six-year deal at a cap hit of $5.5 million. I wouldn't love the Devils giving the soon-to-be 30-year-old Pesce six years, but if they can keep his cap hit below $6 million, there shouldn't be too many issues with a salary cap ceiling projected to rise to $100 million in two years or so.

Pesce would give the Devils a new look in the top four than Marino. He's not overly physical, but he's 6-foot-3, 210 pounds and difficult to move. I imagine that's one reason Fitzgerald prefers Pesce to Marino, who's only 6-foot-1, 180 pounds. We'll see if they seal the deal at noon, but it appears that's where things are trending.

Dillon to Shore Up Defensive Depth?

Pierre LeBrun mentioned Brenden Dillon with the Devils a few weeks ago. Frank Seravalli confirmed as much at the draft, reporting that the Devils were expected to go after Dillon pretty hard in free agency.

Dillon played a top-four role for the Winnipeg Jets this season and handled the minutes relatively well. If he does sign with the Devils, he shouldn't have to play up the lineup, though that depends on whether Jonas Siegenthaler bounces back. Ideally, he settles in on the third pair with Šimon Nemec, which could make for one of the better third pairs in the NHL.

If the Devils strike out on Dillon, they shouldn't rule out a reunion with Dmitry Kulikov. Aside from coming off a Stanley Cup championship with the Florida Panthers, he's a physical two-way bottom-pair defender who should come at a cap hit under $3 million on a two-year deal. He'd be an ideal fit for the team.

Another name the Devils should consider is Nate Schmidt, who the Jets bought out yesterday. He's not the defenseman he was in his prime, but he's still solid, specifically defensively: