Devils Trade Targets: Seeking Help in Net & on Defense
Via Chris Johnston and Frank Seravalli's initial trade boards, let's look at some potential defensive and goaltending options for the New Jersey Devils
A quarter of the way into the season, the New Jersey Devils have two pressing needs: defense and goaltending. One situation (goaltending) is more dire than the other, but general manager Tom Fitzgerald will need to address both at some point.
While we're still a ways away from the trade deadline, trade boards from Chris Johnston of The Athletic and Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff went live a few days ago. Let's look at trade targets from each board that could fit some of the Devils' needs.
Noah Hanifin & Chris Tanev
I've already written about Noah Hanifin and Chris Tanev a couple times, so I don't want to spend too much time on either defenseman. But the Devils have a need for either blueliner, and both would add different elements to the team's back end.
Between Luke Hughes, Jonas Siegenthaler, and Kevin Bahl, the Devils' left side could use an upgrade, specifically when it comes to moving the puck. That's where Hanifin makes sense. The 26-year-old is a mobile, top-four defender and a solid puck-mover.
As for Tanev, he’s been one of the best defensive defensemen in the NHL over the last three seasons, with his even-strength defense being worth an expected goals above replacement (xGAR) of 15 since the start of the 2021-22 season, the third-best number among all NHL defensemen.
The issue with both Hanifin and Tanev is their cap hits, which are between $4.5 and $5 million. However, the Devils could flex their LTIR muscle by placing Dougie Hamilton on LTIR after he had surgery to repair a torn pectoral muscle that could keep him out for months.
The price for Hanifin or Tanev likely won't be cheap, but if Fitzgerald were to choose one, Hanifin makes the most sense. He's only 26 years old and fits the Devils' core better than the 33-year-old Tanev. There's likely a path to re-signing Hanifin, whereas with Tanev, there's better odds he ends up being a rental.
If the Devils acquire Tanev and miss the playoffs, they may end up trading assets that will hurt them in the long run. With Hanifin, my guess is they could avoid that scenario since they would look to re-sign him. I think he's the better fit since the left side is much weaker than the right, where Tanev plays. And the Devils would likely get more bang for their buck by giving up assets for him.
Jake Allen
Goaltending is the Devils' biggest concern, but unfortunately, it doesn't look like there's much help available based on Johnston and Seravalli's trade boards. Jake Allen is one option, and moving him may become more likely after the Montreal Canadiens recently re-signed Sam Montembault.
Allen has been solid for the Canadiens this season, totaling a .903 save percentage while saving 1.4 goals above expected. He's been a slightly above-league-average netminder and would be a upgrade over what the Devils are getting from Akira Schmid and Vitek Vanecek.
Allen is under contract through next season at a cap hit of $3.85 million. The Devils need to accrue cap space to acquire him if the Canadiens aren't willing to retain salary. But again, this is where placing Hamilton on LTIR would give them the room for the time being.
James Reimer
James Reimer popped up on both Johnston and Seravalli's initial trade boards. At 35 years old, he's not a long-term solution. But he could buy the Devils time to find a long-term fix and should be good enough to help the team improve in net this season.
Even after cooling off from his hot start, Reimer is playing well. He has a .917 SV% in six appearances while stopping 0.6 goals above expected. He's a pending UFA and has a cap hit of $1.5 million. The Devils should have no problem affording his contract, and the cost of a trade shouldn't be much, either.
A goalie of Reimer's caliber usually goes for around a mid-round pick or equivalent to a mid-round pick. The Detroit Red Wings are one of a couple of teams carrying three goalies between Reimer, Alex Lyon and Ville Husso. And, like the Canadiens, they may want to move one at some point.
Lyon has come on as of late for the Red Wings, with a .958 SV% across four appearances. If Detroit is comfortable running him and Husso as their tandem, that could make Reimer expendable. It's worth noting that he does have a seven-team no-trade list.
Nick Seeler
Pierre LeBrun reported on a recent edition of TSN's Insider Trading that the Devils would like to add some physicality on the back end. Nikita Zadorov is no longer an option after the Flames traded him to the Vancouver Canucks, but Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Nick Seeler could fill that need for the Devils.
Seeler doesn't offer much offensively, but he's the prototypical defensive defenseman. He blocks shots, throws his body around, and has solid defensive impacts. And even though he doesn't offer much offensively, he's not a black hole on offense.
Seeler will be a UFA in 2024 and has a very affordable cap hit of $775,000 for the remainder of the season. For what he brings to the table, his play is worth much more than $775,000, and he would shore up the Devils' defense while adding more physicality.
Sean Walker
Sean Walker has always been a reliable bottom-pair defenseman, but his game has reached new heights in Philadelphia under Flyers head coach John Tortorella. His counting totals, 11 points in 24 games, aren't anything spectacular, but his impacts have been very impressive.
Walker has a 57.85 expected goals percentage (xG%) through 23 games, and his two-way impacts have been excellent in a second-pair role alongside Seeler, especially offensively:
The Flyers acquired Walker from the Los Angeles Kings in part of the three-team deal that sent Ivan Provorov to the Columbus Blue Jackets. He's in the final year of his contract and has a cap hit of $2.65 million, something the Devils should be able to afford if they dip into LTIR.
The Devils and Flyers have never made a trade before, and I'm not sure that will change now. If they were to link up for a Walker or Seeler trade, I'd assume the price would be a bit higher for the Devils than other teams. Considering both would be rentals, that might keep Fitzgerald away if he has to pay up, but they are options to consider.
Kaapo Kähkönen
No, this doesn't have to do with Kaapo Kähkönen's performance against the Devils a couple of nights ago. OK, maybe it does a little bit. But the San Jose Sharks goaltender has fared well on the worst team in the NHL this season.
Kähkönen's .896 SV% is a bit below the league average of .903, but he has saved 3.3 goals above expected. That speaks to how much volume and quality he's faced playing behind the Sharks' defense, which has bled grade-A chances this season.
Kähkönen is in the final year of his contract and will be a UFA this coming summer. At 27 years old, he's probably a better fit than someone like Allen or Reimer, who are in their mid-30s. If he comes to New Jersey and plays, there could be a path to an extension.
The cost of acquiring Kähkönen shouldn't be much, either. Perhaps a third-round pick and another lesser asset. The Sharks are not making the playoffs, so there's probably a good chance they'll look to deal Kähkönen before the trade deadline, making him an option for the Devils.
What Will the Devils Do?
Finding a goaltender will be the most difficult task Fitzgerald has to improve the Devils this season, especially since the options are limited. Personally, I think Kähkönen is the best choice based on cost, age, and potential upside if he plays well in New Jersey.
As for defense, the Devils should have plenty of options, especially as sellers become clearer. They could use more physicality on the back end, but for the Devils' style, Hanifin seems like the best choice. Being 26 years old makes him a possible long-term fit, too.
It'll be interesting to see how things unfold, but it'd be a surprise if Fitzgerald stood pat with the team in win-now mode.
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Advanced stats from Natural Stat Trick, Evolving Hockey; goalie stats from Money Puck