Devils News Rewind: Tanev, Haula & More
Possible interest in Chris Tanev, Tyce Thompson dealt to the New York Islanders, and more in the latest edition of New Jersey Devils News Rewind
It's time for another edition of New Jersey Devils News Rewind. It was a relatively light week for Devils News, but there are still some things to catch up on. New Jersey has already been linked to Nikita Zadorov, but they may have their eyes on another Calgary Flames defenseman, too.
Plus, the Devils made a minor trade on Sunday (Nov. 26). Finally, some updates from Monday's practice and injury news ahead of tomorrow's tilt against the New York Islanders.
Devils May Also Have Interest in Tanev
In addition to having interest in Zadorov, the Devils may also be keeping tabs on Chris Tanev. Like Zadorov, he will become an unrestricted free agent next summer. He has five points in 21 games this season, but also like Zadorov, offense is not the name of the game with Tanev.
Tanev has been among the best defensive defensemen in the NHL over the last three seasons. His even-strength defense has been worth an expected goals above replacement (xGAR) of 16.1, ranked first among all defensemen since the start of the 2021-22 season.
Tanev is showing no signs of slowing down so far, as he's off to a solid start with the Flames; his even-strength defense has been worth an xGAR of 2.1 to start 2023-24. When looking at his defensive impacts over the last three seasons, it's easy to see how he'd help the Devils:
Though he may be a defensive defenseman, Tanev is also not an offensive blackhole. He might not produce much offense from the back end, but offense doesn't go to die when he's on the ice, either.
The Devils are in good shape on the right side with Dougie Hamilton, John Marino, and Colin Miller, but I can see the fit with Tanev. Adding him would give the Devils two high-end defensive defensemen on the right side when including Marino. That should open up Hamilton for easier offensive minutes in a top-four role.
Having said that, I think the left side of the Devils' defense needs more of an upgrade than the right. Jonas Siegenthaler and Kevin Bahl have been fine on the left side, but there's a lack of puck-moving ability between those two on the left. And that's with Luke Hughes now playing on his strong side with the emergence of Miller.
That's why it wouldn't be a surprise if the Devils were also checking in on Noah Hanifin. No insiders have linked them to Hanifin yet. But an educated guess would suggest that if they're interested in Zadorov and Tanev, they probably have eyes on Hanifin, who will also be a UFA in July 2024.
Devils Trade Thompson to Islanders
It was the first trade of the regular season for the Devils, albeit a minor one. They dealt Tyce Thompson to the New York Islanders in exchange for forward Arnaud Durandeau.
Thompson, a fourth-round pick in the 2019 draft, struggled to make it to the NHL level with the Devils after a couple of injuries forced him to miss significant time over the previous two seasons. He had five points, all assists, in 15 games with the Utica Comets at the time of the trade.
Durandeau was a sixth-round pick of the Islanders in the 2017 draft. He had one goal and four points in 12 games with the Bridgeport Islanders at the time of the trade but was quite productive a season ago, totaling 24 goals and 55 points in 68 games.
This is likely an inconsequential deal for the Devils and Islanders, but it does offer both players fresh starts to try and get their careers jump-started. If Durandeau produces at his 2022-23 rates for the Comets, he could become a depth option for the Devils if they need a call-up.
Devils Monday Practice Updates
The Devils may have gotten Nico Hischier back from his injury this past weekend. But it appears they'll be without some key top-nine players for at least their matchup against the Islanders.
Erik Haula did not play the third period of the Sabres game and was not at practice today. Head coach Lindy Ruff said after practice that it's unlikely Haula will be available for tomorrow's game against the Islanders.
Haula has gotten off to a solid start this season, with six goals and 12 points in 18 games — putting him on pace for 54 points. Though they haven't played much together, the trio of Haula, Michael McLeod and Alex Holtz has fared quite well this season.
Hopefully, Haula won't miss much time and can slide back onto that line. But the good news is Curtis Lazar returned to practice today. He was a full-go and may be back in the lineup against the Islanders after missing the Sabres game.
Lazar skated in Haula's spot on a line with McLeod and Holtz. While Lazar doesn't have the same skill as Haula, his defensive impacts are excellent. And his forechecking ability should open up space for Holtz to get into scoring areas.
In more practice news, Timo Meier was still absent from today's on-ice sessions. He did partake in the optional morning skate ahead of the Sabres game, but Ruff said today that Meier is not yet ready to practice.
Meier has struggled at five-on-five this season, but he was starting to play better before sustaining an injury against the Winnipeg Jets, with three goals in his three previous games. Even though he's struggled to drive play this season, the Devils could use him back sooner rather than later. Until then, they'll have to manage without him or Haula for at least one more game.
Devils Sign Laberge to NHL Deal
Another minor move from the Devils, they signed Samuel Laberge to a one-year, two-way contract late last week. The 26-year-old forward has spent the last two seasons in the organization, mostly with the Comets in the AHL. But he also spent some time with the Adirondack Thunder in the ECHL during the 2021-22 season.
Laberge has three points in eight games with the Comets this season, putting him on pace to finish with 24 points in 65 games. He's been in mostly a bottom-six role for the Comets and is not afraid to play a physical game. With the Thompson trade and signing Laberge, the Devils remain at 44 contracts, six below the league limit of 50.
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Advanced stats from Evolving Hockey