Devils News Rewind: Zadorov, Hischier & More

A new edition of New Jersey Devils News Rewind with notes on Nikita Zadorov, Nico Hischier, Jaroslav Halak and more

It's time for another edition of New Jersey Devils News Rewind. This week, we'll look at more smoke around the Devils and Calgary Flames defenseman Nikita Zadorov, updates from Monday's practice and the Carolina Hurricanes releasing Jaroslav Halak from his PTO. 

Plus, could Nashville Predators prospect Yaroslav Askarov be available for the right price? And if so, is he someone Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald should pursue in a trade to bolster the organization's goaltending depth?

More Smoke Around Zadorov

On Saturday, Nov. 18, ESPN insider Kevin Weekes reported that the Devils were among the teams interested in Zadorov, along with the Vancouver Canucks and Toronto Maple Leafs. 

This isn't news in itself. The Devils were already tied to Zadorov by Darren Dreger when the news of Zadorov wanting out of Calgary broke on social media about a week ago via his agent, Dan Milstein. 

But what was new in Weekes' report is that he stated talks around Zadorov were expected to pick up this week once the Maple Leafs returned from the Global Series in Stockholm, Sweden. 

There's an obvious fit for Zadorov in Toronto, plus the connection to Brad Treliving, who brought Zadorov to Calgary as the Flames' general manager before the Maple Leafs hired him this summer. The Leafs seem like the favorites here, but that doesn't mean he's a lock to end up in Toronto. 

The Devils have better assets than the Maple Leafs and will likely be able to offer the Flames a better return for Zadorov than Treliving can. There's also a connection between Fitzgerald and Flames GM Craig Conroy after linking up for the Tyler Toffoli trade this summer. 

The Flames may have something else that the Devils want as well: goaltending. I think it's safe to assume that Jacob Markstrom is off the table right now. Perhaps that changes if Conroy wants to go scorched earth, but that doesn't seem likely at the moment.  

The two options are Daniel Vladar and Dustin Wolf. Vladar struggled this season, but perhaps a change of scenery could do him well. I don't think the Flames intend on trading Wolf, but they haven't given him a chance in the NHL yet. Perhaps he's available for the right price, too?

Wolf is only 6-foot-0, 174 pounds, but his AHL numbers have been stellar to this point of his career; he finished with a .932 save percentage in 55 games a season ago. Could the Devils offer a package enticing enough to acquire Wolf and Zadorov? Does something like Kevin Bahl, Alex Holtz or Seamus Casey and a 1st-round pick work? 

Zadorov himself would help the Devils. He's an upgrade over Smith and even Bahl. But if the Devils come away with a goalie from the Flames, that would be the real kicker. 

Devils Practice Notes: Hischier Returns, Meier Still Out

In what was a welcomed sight to fans and the team alike, Nico Hischier returned to practice for the first time since taking a hit up high from Connor Clifton on Oct. 27 against the Buffalo Sabres. 

Hischier was a part of line rushes and participated in one-on-one drills, indicating he may be nearing a return. Coach Lindy Ruff told Amanda Stein after practice that there's still no definitive timeline for Hischier's return, but it was great to see him on the ice and give the team a boost. 

In other news, Timo Meier did not practice today. Ruff also told Amanda Stein that Meier continues to work out off the ice but has not skated yet. It's unlikely he'll make the trip to Detroit, meaning the Devils will be without him on Wednesday night against the Red Wings. 

Ondrej Palat and Erik Haula took maintenance days, but there doesn't seem to be any concern about them missing Wednesday's game against the Red Wings. 

Hurricanes Release Halak From PTO

With goaltending troubles of their own, the Hurricanes had brought in Jaroslav Halak on a PTO. Not only have their netminders struggled, but Frederik Andersen is dealing with a blood clotting issue, keeping him out indefinitely. 

Halak was there to provide depth just in case, but it appears the Hurricanes are comfortable with Pyotr Kochetkov and Antti Raanta for now. That led to them releasing Halak from his PTO, making him an unrestricted free agent. 

Halak has long been one of the more reliable backup netminders in the NHL. Even at 37 years old, he posted solid numbers with the New York Rangers last season, finishing with a .903 SV% while stopping 1.1 goals above expected. 

There's no guarantee the now 38-year-old netminder can post similar numbers again. But if Halak can provide .903 goaltending, the Devils would be getting a significant upgrade from what Vitek Vanecek and Akira Schmid are providing now; both goaltenders are below an .890 SV%. 

Halak would likely not cost much to sign, probably below $1 million on a one-year deal. There's not much risk in signing him, and if it doesn't work, the Devils can waive him and look to the trade market for another upgrade. 

Obviously, he's not a long-term solution. But Halak is at least a bandaid that gives the Devils some more time to find a fix. It'd also allow Schmid to go down to the AHL and be the guy for the Utica Comets. Given the cost and that it wouldn't take much for him to be better than the Devils' current goaltenders, Fitzgerald should check in with Halak to see if there's a fit. 

Askarov Available for the Right Price?

It doesn't appear Askarov is available, but according to Michael Gallagher of Nashville Hockey Now, general manager Barry Trotz could be enticed by the right deal: 

"An NHL source indicated to Nashville Hockey Now that GM Barry Trotz prefers to hang on to both Askarov and Juuse Saros, but he could consider moving the former if he was "intrigued by the right offer of draft capital and young talent coming back."

Askarov was the 11th overall pick in the 2020 draft and had an interesting development path in the KHL, partly due to getting drafted during the height of COVID. He's since come over to North America and has a .912 SV% across 54 AHL games since the start of last season. 

I'm not going to pretend like I've seen Askarov play in the AHL with the Milwaukee Admirals. My prior viewings of him came during World Junior play; he was an unorthodox style of goaltender from what I remember. 

Still, it's hard to deny the upside. Askarov and Jesper Wallstedt are the best goaltending prospects in the world for a reason. The right kind of package would take something along the lines of a first-round pick, Holtz, and Casey to pry Askarov away from Nashville. 

Is that worth it for a 21-year-old goaltender with plenty of upside but who hasn't played an NHL game yet? It's a huge gamble to take if you're Fitzgerald. If there's a path to acquiring Wolf and Zadorov from Calgary, they'd be better off paying those assets for that package. 

Plus, Askarov probably needs more seasoning in the AHL. That doesn't fix the Devils needing a goaltender now. But if you're thinking about the long game, having Askarov and Schmid as your tandem of the future is something to consider. 

That wraps up this edition of Devils News Rewind. Stay tuned to DOTR for the latest Devils coverage during this Thanksgiving Week. 

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