4 Predictions for the Devils' Offseason
Since it's NHL Draft week, let's take a stab at predicting what the New Jersey Devils could do this offseason
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It's NHL Draft week, meaning trades and the offseason are about to kick into full gear. The New Jersey Devils have already traded Erik Haula to free up some cap space, and more transactions will likely occur over the next couple of weeks.
The Devils need several upgrades, specifically up front, to improve on the 91 points and 42 wins they totaled last season. Here are four predictions for what they could do ahead of the draft and during free agency.
Devils Let Cody Glass Walk
Late on Friday night, Elliotte Friedman reported the Devils are not expected to qualify restricted free agent Cody Glass, making him a UFA. Glass has a qualifying offer of $2.5 million, so I'm not surprised the Devils don't want to give him his QO.
While I still wouldn't rule out the Devils re-signing Glass, the more I've thought about it, the more I lean toward general manager Tom Fitzgerald letting Glass hit free agency and seeking a cheaper option to be their fourth-line center.
Glass is a solid bottom-six center, but his price might be too high if the Devils plan to use him as their 4C. Per Evolving Hockey, he projects to land a three-year deal at a cap hit of $2.7 million. He's not worth that, and it's not farfetched to think there may be a gap too far to bridge.
Would Glass be willing to take less than $2 million a year to be the Devils' fourth-line center? He can get more than that on the open market since it's such a shallow UFA class, and I doubt the Devils want to pay much more than $2 million annually for a 4C.
One target they could opt for is Nico Sturm, who's been one of the better fourth-liners in the NHL over the last few seasons. He's averaged 10 goals and 21 points per 82 games since the start of the 2022-23 season and has a stellar faceoff percentage of 58.1 percent over that stretch.
Sturm is more of a prototypical fourth-liner than Glass and should come much cheaper; per Evolving Hockey, they project Sturm to sign a one-year deal worth $1.013 million. If the Devils want to take the Florida Panthers’ model to their fourth line, they could opt for this route.
Devils Acquire a Penguins Winger
Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas is sitting in a pretty position. According to multiple reports, they're open for business and are one of the few true sellers on the trade market this offseason.
Aside from their legacy players, the Penguins are taking calls on just about everyone, including Rickard Rakell and Bryan Rust. Both wingers had excellent seasons, with Rakell totaling 35 goals and 70 points and Rust 31 goals and 65 points.
Rakell is more of a well-rounded two-way winger than Rust, while Rust is one of the best high-danger-chance creators and finishers in the NHL. Both have three years left on their contracts, with Rakell at a cap hit of $5 million and Rust at $5.125 million.
The one downside for each player is they're on the wrong side of 30, but they're both still playing high-level hockey. They don't appear ready to fall off a cliff, so I wouldn't worry about either not living up to the final three years of their contracts.
From their 2026 first-round pick to Dawson Mercer and some prospects, the Devils should have the necessary assets to acquire either player. David Pagnotta reported the Penguins could be willing to take on some contracts, given their cap space, so perhaps they could also be a dumping ground for Ondřej Palát.
Devils Sign Dan Vladař
Frank Seravalli reported earlier last week that Devils are poking around the goalie market. Jacob Markström isn't going anywhere, but they're likely looking for a cheap backup or No. 3 option since it's unlikely they can fit in Jake Allen on their cap sheet.
Bringing back Kaapo Kähkonen to be the No. 3 to Markström and Nico Daws is one option, but it wouldn't shock me if they want someone with a bit more veteran experience.
Dan Vladař was Markström's backup in Calgary for three years and had an OK 2024-25 season, totaling an .898 save percentage while saving 0.9 goals above expected. His contract projections are for one year between $1.4 and $1.6 million, so he shouldn't prevent Fitzgerald from making the necessary upgrades up front, especially if they let Glass walk.
Devils Bring Ross Colton Home
Friedman has stated a few times that the Colorado Avalanche are happy with their team and don't feel the need to change their roster. However, it is draft week, and every team lies around this time of the year.
The Avalanche have a surplus of centers with Nathan MacKinnon, Brock Nelson, Charlie Coyle and Ross Colton. They also only have $1.975 million in cap space, and I doubt GM Chris MacFarland will stand pat after the team's loss in the first round to the Dallas Stars.
Colton finished this past season with 16 goals and 29 points in 61 games, a 22-goal, 39-point pace over 82 games. He mostly played on the wing, but is a natural center and would be a perfect fit for the Devils as their 3C:
Colton can create offense, but would also add some physicality. He excels in the faceoff dot, with his faceoff percentage at 51.3 percent for his career. I'm sure the Devils would like to find someone who can make up for losing Haula in the dot, and Colton has the two-way game to be a 3C.
I imagine it'd take one of the Devils' two second-round picks to acquire Colton, and that's probably it since that'd be a cap-clearing move for the Avalanche. If that's the price, it'd be a no-brainer to acquire the New Jersey native who grew up a Devils fan.
Devils Need To Be Active
We'll see what the offseason brings for the Devils, but it should be busy. With the New York Rangers and Columbus Blue Jackets looking to be active, Fitzgerald can't stand pat. Otherwise, the Devils will be prime candidates to miss the playoffs next season.
Advanced stats from MoneyPuck
Kinda surprised by this. Thought Glass was decent and he seems good enough to play up in the middle 6 in a pinch.