Devils Have No Shortage of Intriguing PTO Options
From Max Pacioretty to Kevin Labanc, there are quite a few intriguing PTO options for the New Jersey Devils ahead of training camp
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CORRECTION: Alexander Barabanov has been excluded after signing a 2-year deal in the KHL.
The preseason is still about a month away, but we're slowly getting there. Some teams have already started handing out PTOs, with the Washington Capitals signing Jakub Vrana to one ahead of training camp. There will surely be others, and there are a few interesting PTO candidates available.
The New Jersey Devils roster is mostly complete at this point, but one area where they could strengthen is their middle six/third line. PTOs rarely turn into Petr Sykora in 2011-12 when he posted 20-plus goals and 40-plus points. But perhaps there's someone available who strengthens the team's forward depth. Here are five PTO candidates the Devils should consider.
Kailer Yamamoto
Kailer Yamamoto looked like he was on his way to becoming a solid middle-six winger a couple of years ago. He finished with 20 goals and 41 points in 81 games for the Edmonton Oilers in 2021-22, but injuries have derailed his last two seasons; he hasn't played in more than 60 games in either.
He is undersized at 5-foot-8, 153 pounds, which has surely played a factor in some of his injury woes. But he's still only 25, so there might be a player with something left in the tank.
The Seattle Kraken were an offensively inept team last season, so perhaps Yamamoto can find some life in a system that'll open it up more on offense as the Devils likely will under new head coach Sheldon Keefe.
Dominik Kubalik
Dominik Kubalik struggled mightily with the Ottawa Senators last season, finishing with 11 goals and 15 points in 74 games. He's been a streaky scorer throughout his career, but he is only one year removed from a 20-goal, 45-point season with the Detroit Red Wings.
Honestly, there's not much to suggest Kubalik could rebound next season. His microstats were woeful with the Senators, and his individual point percentage was in line with his career averages. If there's one metric that suggests he could bounce back, it's goals above replacement (GAR):
If the Devils think Kubalik could rebound to being a player worth around a GAR of five, he might be worth a PTO. Goal-scoring has always been his strength, but he also might not be best suited for a third-line role, given the type of player he is. Still, PTOs are not binding, so it wouldn't hurt to consider him.
Kevin Labanc
Barabanov's teammate on the Sharks, Kevin Labanc could also be an ideal PTO candidate. Like Barabanov, Labanc struggled mightily last season, finishing with only two goals and nine points in 46 games. But since it's the Sharks, it's hard to determine how much of it was him and how much was team-related.
Labanc was a solid third-line contributor in 2022-23, finishing with 15 goals and 33 points in 72 games. His underlying metrics tanked this past season, but it was the Sharks. Injuries have also been a problem for Labanc, and he did seem to fall out of favor with former head coach David Quinn.
But even with all that, he might be worth a PTO. Labanc was born in Staten Island and played for the New Jersey Rockets before moving to the USNTDP to continue his junior career. Perhaps coming home after some tough years out west could help him rekindle his NHL career, even if it's just on a PTO.
Filip Zadina
Oh boy. Another former Shark, Alex? You bet it is! Filip Zadina had a solid season with the Sharks, which is not what you can say about many players who suited up for them last season. He finished with 13 goals and 23 points in 72 games while totaling 137 shots on goal.
Zadina's defensive impacts were woeful last season. In fact, he was one of the worst defensive forwards in the NHL. His even-strength defense was worth a GAR of minus-6.7, the seventh-worst number for a forward league-wide. It shows in his RAPM chart, too:
However, Zadina's defensive struggles may be more team-related than individual. He was a solid defensive forward for the Red Wings in 2022-23, with his even-strength defense worth a GAR of 2.4, though it only came in a sample of 30 games.
Let's say he settles in on the Devils' third line. Zadina will probably play alongside defensively sound forwards like Ondřej Palát and Erik Haula. Plus, he has some offensive upside, and he's only 24. He might have a bit more to give with a better team.
Max Pacioretty
Max Pacioretty has had some unfortunate injury luck the last couple of seasons, and it's clearly affected his play. He only appeared in 47 games with the Washington Capitals last season, totaling four goals and 23 points.
Still, Pacioretty looks like a good PTO option. Despite his declining play due to injuries, he seems like a potential rebound candidate for next season. He only shot 4.2 percent in 2023-24, well below his 11.1 career percentage, and the shot volume was there.
Pacioretty fired 95 shots on goal, an average of 2.02 per game. He was the Capitals' second-most efficient five-on-five shooter behind Alex Ovechkin, averaging 7.77 shots on goal per 60 minutes. It seems there's still a player here, and he could be a viable third-line option for the Devils if he earns a standard contract. Plus, he’s also a Greenwich, Connecticut native, so playing locally could appeal to him.
Plenty of Interesting PTO Options
James van Riemsdyk is still available, but I would sign him to a standard NHL contract. He was nearly a 40-point player who posted positive impacts last season while having some bad shooting luck. He's more than good enough to earn an NHL contract and not a PTO.
But even though van Riemsdyk is not a PTO candidate, some interesting forwards are available that make sense for the Devils to gamble on with PTOs. Their middle-six scoring still looks questionable, and if someone like Pacioretty or Labanc comes in and earns an NHL contract, that could strengthen the Devils' middle-six scoring depth.
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Hi Alex,
You mentioned the middle-six scoring being questionable. How bad do you think it is? Is it NHL average, weak, or is there nothing there?
Great work!
Matt