Devils Trade Targets to Upgrade at 3rd-Line Center

Even when Erik Haula returns from his injury, the New Jersey Devils need to upgrade the third-line center position.

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The New Jersey Devils' bottom six, particularly their third line, needs an upgrade ahead of this season's trade deadline. Now, with the news that Erik Haula may miss some time, that perhaps raises the urgency for general manager Tom Fitzgerald to get something done.

However, even before Haula's injury, his struggles highlighted the need to find an upgrade as the third-line center. Let's look at who the Devils could acquire and what exactly they need from a third-line center moving forward.

Devils Need More of a Facilitator

The Devils' top six is full of facilitators. From Jesper Bratt, Jack Hughes, Nico Hischier and even Timo Meier, all three players can create offense for themselves and their teammates.

There's a reason the Devils' top six had been so dominant until the recent four-game losing streak that they just snapped. But when it comes to the bottom six, and specifically the third line, there's no one who can create or facilitate offense.

Dawson Mercer is not a play driver, and neither is Paul Cotter. They're wingers, though, so it doesn't affect that line's results as much. Unfortunately, Haula has always struggled in transition, and it only seems to have gotten worse this season.

That's amplified the third line's problems, so if a third-line center is on Fitzgerald's to-do list ahead of the trade deadline, finding someone who can facilitate play should be what he seeks. With that, let's look at some potential targets.

Brock Nelson

Had I written this article a month ago, I wouldn't be high on the Devils pursuing Brock Nelson. That's not because I don't think he's a fit. Rather, I figured Lou Lamoriello would extract plenty of value for one of their best trade chips.

Perhaps that'll still be the case, but Nelson hasn't had the best season. Maybe that's a product of the New York Islanders not being very good, but he has 21 points in 40 games, putting him on pace for just 43. That'd be the lowest he's had in a full season since 2015-16, when he totaled 40 points.

Nelson's strength is his plus finishing ability, which the Devils could use, too. But historically speaking, he's been effective enough in transition, partly due to his solid skating ability.

There was a time I thought Nelson would cost a first-round pick and then some, but I'm not sure about that anymore, given he's on pace for just 43 points. Maybe Lamoriello would put the division tax on the Devils, making it more expensive to acquire him. But if they can obtain his services for a couple of seconds and/or a prospect, he's worth targeting.