Devils Offseason Trade Targets: Mason Marchment
Mason Marchment could be a cap casualty in Dallas. If so, he could be a top trade target for the New Jersey Devils.
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It was another disappointing end to an otherwise impressive season for the Dallas Stars. There will be change for them this offseason, and it's almost out of necessity because of their cap situation.
Because they're tight on cap space, they will likely shed some salary in the coming weeks. One player who could be a cap casualty is Mason Marchment, who David Pagnotta reported could be in play as a trade target.
Marchment is a solid second-line scorer who plays with an edge. If available, he could be a prime trade target for the Devils.
Marchment Would Give Devils a Different Look
Before getting into what Marchment could provide the Devils, let's quickly review the Stars' cap situation and why he could be a cap casualty. The Stars have just over $4.5 million in cap space with Matt Duchene, Evgenii Dadonov and Jamie Benn as UFAs, while Mavrik Bourque is an RFA.
Chances are they want to keep at least Benn, who's their captain, but general manager Jim Nill likely wants to make some additions to help his team get over the hump after losing three straight Western Conference Finals.
They will have to shed some salary to do so, and Marchment could be one of a couple of players they have to move.
Marchment got off to a somewhat rocky start in Dallas. He totaled 12 goals and 31 points in 68 games in his first season with the Stars, but that was more due to shooting 8.1 percent, well below his career average of 12.5 percent.
Since then, Marchment has been an effective top-six scorer. He finished 2023-24 with 22 goals and 53 points in 81 games and totaled 22 goals and 47 points in 62 games this past season — a 62-point pace over 82 games.
There's a lot to like about what Marchment could offer the Devils. He creates offense off the rush, generates plenty of quality chances and is an underrated playmaker. Though he's not the fastest skater, he excels in transition and isn't afraid to throw his body around.
Aside from Marchment’s impressive microstats at five-on-five, he would help improve a Devils team that could use plenty more scoring punch at five-on-five.
Marchment averaged 2.24 points per 60 minutes at five-on-five in 2024-25, ranked sixth on the Stars. For context's sake, that would have ranked second on the Devils to Jesper Bratt. Over the last three seasons, he's averaged 1.75 points per 60, a rate you'd expect from a second-liner.
Speaking of Bratt, Marchment would likely be a good complement to Bratt and Jack Hughes as a linemate. At 6-foot-5, 212 pounds, he'd add size to that line, but he's also skilled enough that he should be able to put up the necessary points to stick on a line with Bratt and Hughes.
We all saw it in the playoffs, but Marchment's pest per 60 minutes is through the roof. He seems like the type of player that GM Tom Fitzgerald wants to add up front this offseason: someone who has skill and can score but is also a menace to play against.
Marchment Shouldn't Cost Much to Acquire
Marchment would probably be more expensive to acquire in a trade if it weren't for the Stars' cap situation. But because they have to move money out of necessity, he shouldn't be overly expensive to acquire in a trade.
Cap dumps haven't been as prevalent in recent years because of the flat cap, but that should change this offseason with the cap ceiling rising to $95.5 million. Here are some comps for what it could cost to acquire Marchment:
2023: Reilly Smith to the Pittsburgh Penguins:
Vegas Golden Knights receive a third-round pick
2023: Taylor Hall and Nick Foligno to the Chicago Blackhawks
Boston Bruins receive Alec Regula and Ian Mitchell
2022: Oliver Bjorkstrand to the Seattle Kraken
Columbus Blue Jackets receive third and fourth-round picks
The one difference between these players and Marchment is that they all had a bit of term. Hall and Smith had two years remaining on their deals, while Bjorkstrand had four. Marchment has a cap hit of $4.5 million and is entering the final year of the four-year contract he signed with the Stars in free agency in 2022.
Based on some precedent, Marchment shouldn't cost much more than the equivalent of second and third-round picks, and it wouldn't shock me if it's a bit less than that since he has one year left on his deal and everyone knows he could be a cap casualty.
Acquiring Marchment should not cost the Devils any of their best assets. Not Seamus Casey, not Šimon Nemec or Lenni Hämeenaho, and surely not their 2026 first-round pick. Perhaps they'd have to give up one of their 2025 seconds, but that's not a particularly high price to pay.
Marchment's $4.5 million cap hit also gives the Devils and Fitzgerald a bit more flexibility to improve the forward group. Assuming the Devils shed the contracts of Ondřej Palát and Erik Haula at a minimum, there should be enough money for a third-line center and perhaps a bottom-six addition.
It's also worth noting that there is a connection between Marchment and Devils head coach Sheldon Keefe. Marchment played for the Toronto Marlies from 2015-20 when Keefe was their head coach, so there's probably a level of familiarity between the two, even though it's been quite some time since Keefe coached him.
Marchment Is a Fit
I know many Devils fans are hoping for a sexier addition to the forward group. JJ Peterka would be ideal, but their cap situation means they may have to look for cheaper options.
Marchment may not be Peterka, but he's a good player capable of 20-25 goals and 50+ points. The acquisition cost shouldn't be exorbitant because of the Stars' cap situation, and he should be a good fit alongside Hughes and Bratt. Don't be surprised if the Devils have their eyes on him if the Stars decide to trade him.
Advanced stats from Natural Stat Trick, Advanced Hockey Stats