5 Free Agents Devils Can Target to Replace Bahl
Finding someone to replace Kevin Bahl should now be a priority for the New Jersey Devils as they look to improve their defense
Follow us on Twitter: @AlexC_NJD, @NJD_OnTheRush
The New Jersey Devils probably didn't want to give up Kevin Bahl in the Jacob Markström trade, but that was a compromise they had to make to get their goaltender and solidify their situation in net.
Now, they'll need to find a replacement for their third defense pair. Let's look at five unrestricted free agents who Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald could target to replace Bahl.
Brenden Dillon
Pierre LeBrun openly wondered if Brenden Dillon is a fit for the Devils, so there might be something to it. If so, he could be among their top targets to fill out their third pair.
Dillon isn't the defender he used to be, but he's still a quality defensive defenseman who handled top-four minutes decently for the Winnipeg Jets this past season. He played 71.2 percent of his minutes against elite and middle-of-the-lineup competition and finished with a total goals above replacement (GAR) of 0.4.
I suppose the Devils could play Dillon in a top-four role if they need to, but odds are those minutes will go to Jonas Siegenthaler and Luke Hughes. If the plan is to play Dillon in a third-pair role alongside Šimon Nemec, that should work well. And he shouldn't break the bank in free agency.
Evolving Hockey has Dillon signing for two years at a cap hit of $2.985 million. That's a fair price for what he brings to the table, and he has elements Fitzgerald is looking for on the back end. Dillon is 6-foot-4, 220 pounds, and amassed 241 hits this season. He'd add some needed physicality on the blue line.
Calvin de Haan
There was a time when former Devils GM Ray Shero reportedly had Calvin de Haan as one of his top targets in free agency. He's not the player he was then, but he's still one of the more effective third-pair defenders in the NHL.
De Haan's even-strength defense has been worth a GAR of 2.4 or better in each of the last three seasons. His defensive impacts are solid, and though he doesn't add much offense from the back end, his offensive impacts are solid as well:
If the Devils really need to pinch pennies to find a third-pair defenseman, de Haan might be someone they consider. Evolving Hockey has him signing a two-year deal at a cap hit of just $1.576 million. He's not as physical as Dillon, but he did have 96 hits in 59 games this season. He has plenty of the elements they're looking for and at a cheaper cost with better impacts than Dillon.
Chad Ruhwedel
Chad Ruhwedel may be less of an option now that the Devils re-signed Nick DeSimone to a one-year contract, but it wouldn't shock me if they considered him for a depth role.
Ruhwedel does not post points from the back end, but his defensive impacts are solid. He's a good shot suppressor at five-on-five, and his play was worth a total GAR of 5.2 this season. As a seventh defenseman, you can do much worse.
Evolving Hockey has Ruhwedel signing for one year and $775,000. He seems like the type of defenseman who will linger around in free agency for a little bit, so if the Devils still have enough cap space, he's someone they could target. Considering all the injuries the team had in 2023-24, it couldn't hurt to have plenty of defensive depth. Ruhwedel has proven he can handle third-pair minutes when called upon, so he wouldn't be a bad depth option.
Dmitry Kulikov
An old friend of the Devils, Dmitry Kulikov, is now a Stanley Cup champion after the Florida Panthers defeated the Edmonton Oilers in Game 7 on June 24. He bounced back this season in Florida after struggling in 2022-23 between the Anaheim Ducks and Pittsburgh Penguins, totaling 20 points in 76 games.
For Devils fans who remember Kulikov from his time with the team, his game hasn't changed much. His defensive impacts remain solid, and he can move the puck effectively. When looking at his microstats, there's plenty to like about what he'd offer the Devils.
Kulikov contributes more in the offensive zone than you think, and is quite effective in transition. He also defends the rush very well, excels at puck retrievals, and adds some physicality; he did total 145 hits this season.
Evolving Hockey has Kulikov signing a two-year contract at a cap hit of $2.797 million. If the Devils had to choose between Dillon and Kulikov, I would probably choose the latter, and it's not because the Devils are familiar with Kulikov.
If Kulikov and Dillon are signing the same contract, you're much better off having Kulikov since he's the better defenseman. He’s also a much better puck mover than Dillon at this point of their careers, and he adds physicality. He's the ideal third-pair defender, and you can't discount adding Stanley Cups to the room. If I were Fitzgerald, he'd be my top target to replace Bahl.
Alec Martinez
I admit that I'm on the fence about targeting Alec Martinez. His play has declined in recent years due to the toll injuries have taken because of the physical style of hockey he plays. But it does look like he still has something to offer.
Martinez is still decent at defending the rush and excels on puck retrievals, ranking in the 95th percentile. His play in the offensive zone is solid, too, as he still contributes some offense and has OK impacts at even strength.
Since Evolving Hockey has him signing a one-year deal at $1.58 million, the Devils can at least give him some thought. He's won three Stanley Cups (two with the LA Kings and one with the Vegas Golden Knights), something the Devils' front office probably finds invaluable as they look to turn this team into a legit contender. There are better options than him to replace Bahl, but I could see the Devils liking Martinez because of his experience.
A Bottom-4 Defender Is a Priority
The Devils were reportedly looking for a bottom-four defender before trading Bahl. But it now seems like a priority since there isn't anyone from within the organization who can fill that role yet. So expect Fitzgerald to add someone in the coming days, whether it's through a trade or in free agency.
Thanks for reading and supporting my independent writing project about the New Jersey Devils. If you haven’t subscribed, please consider doing so:
Advanced stats from Evolving Hockey, PuckIQ, Corey Sznajder/JFresh
I'd welcome Kulikov back in a second. I thought he played well when he was here, better than most people gave him credit for.
How do you like Ian Cole or Giordano?