What Does an Ideal Devils Trade Deadline Look Like?

With the trade deadline less than a week away, what's the ideal outcome for the New Jersey Devils?

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Yesterday, we looked at players the New Jersey Devils should avoid ahead of next week's trade deadline. Today, as a sort of wrapup for trade deadline previews (unless we get juicy rumors next week), we'll look at some trades I'd like the Devils to make over the next six days.

To be clear, I'm not saying the Devils should make all these trades. There is the salary cap to worry about, and they aren't flush with a bottomless pit of cap space to make any trade they want. But if they can make it work, here's what I'd like general manager Tom Fitzgerald to do.

Acquire Jared McCann or Oliver Bjorkstrand

I decided to start with this because it was probably obvious based on what I've written over the last few weeks, but Oliver Bjorkstrand or Jared McCann would be A/A+ additions for the Devils at this trade deadline.

Bjorkstrand has 15 goals and 35 points in 59 games — a 21-goal, 49-point pace over 82 games. That might not excite you much, but the Seattle Kraken are a team devoid of high-end offensive talent, likely limiting his output.

Bjorkstrand is a well-rounded offensive player who drives play, has good playmaking ability and an underrated shot. He's not the fastest skater, but that's not much of a concern. He's been the Kraken's most efficient five-on-five scorer this season, so I imagine his production would increase with Jack Hughes or Nico Hischier.

Aside from his on-ice fit, Bjorkstrand has a year and a half left on his contract at a cap hit of $5.4 million. My guess is he'd cost a second-round pick and a prospect for the Devils to acquire, though that could jump to a first and prospect if the Devils need retention.

If not Bjorkstrand, McCann might be the ideal fit. He has one of the most underrated shots in the NHL, with his top shot speed ranking in the 99th percentile. He can play center but has primarily been a left wing in Seattle, meaning the Devils can give him a run alongside Hughes and Jesper Bratt.

Aside from his shot, McCann is also a well-rounded offensive player with playmaking ability and a knack for generating offense off the rush:

McCann has two and a half years left on his contract at a cap hit of $5.5 million, so he'll likely be a bit more expensive than Bjorkstrand. It'd probably cost the Devils a second, Dawson Mercer and perhaps another asset to acquire McCann, but he's worth the price. He's exactly what the Devils' top six needs.