Devils' Free Agent Options to Upgrade Top-9 Scoring

Though it's a shallow year for free agents, there are a few options the New Jersey Devils could consider for top-9 scoring upgrades.

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Unless we get a New Jersey Devils-specific rumor in the coming days, I think we've just about covered what we can regarding trade targets. With that, let's continue looking at free agency and what general manager Tom Fitzgerald could do there to improve his team.

Yesterday, we looked at some potential bottom-six UFA targets for the Devils. Today, we'll look at a few players who could bring more scoring pop to a Devils top nine that could use it.

Reilly Smith

Reilly Smith has bounced around a bit the past couple of years after having underwhelming stints with the Pittsburgh Penguins and New York Rangers. But he did seem to play better after being reacquired by the Vegas Golden Knights at this year's trade deadline.

Smith finished this season with 13 goals and 40 points, the second consecutive season in which he's posted that stat line. Despite his middling counting totals, his underlying data suggests he still has something left in the tank.

Smith was one of the better shot and chance creators in the NHL this season, and his playmaking still holds up. His skating is not what it used to be, and he's fallen off in transition, but he can still create offense off the rush. More importantly, his two-way game hasn't dropped off yet:

Evolving Hockey has Smith signing a three-year contract at a cap hit of $4.344 million. It depends on what else the Devils have planned for this offseason, but I think that's a number they'd be comfortable with for Smith. His playoff experience could also be something the front office finds invaluable.

Andrew Mangiapane

Andrew Mangiapane had a breakout season with the Calgary Flames in 2022-23, totaling 35 goals and 55 points in 82 games, but he's steadily seen his production drop since then.

Mangiapane finished this season with 14 goals and 28 points in 81 games for the Washington Capitals and was one of the few players who did not benefit from the PDO bender they went on.

In fact, Mangiapane was probably due for better luck than he had in 2024-25. He had an on-ice shooting percentage of 7.22 percent, the fifth-lowest number on the team, but most of his underlying metrics suggest he's still a capable top-nine forward.