5 Free Agents the Devils Could Target for Value
With the New Jersey Devils still tight on cap space, they could have to pivot to some cheaper UFAs to improve the roster.
Follow us on Twitter: @AlexC_NJD, @NJD_OnTheRush
Follow me on Bluesky
This free-agent class is, well, it’s not great.
I don’t expect the New Jersey Devils and general manager Sunny Mehta to go on a free-agent spending spree, but they probably will dive in a bit.
It wouldn’t shock me if they sign a Viktor Arvidsson or Mats Zuccarello to upgrade the top six, but the Devils could also look for some value buys, especially since they’re still tight on cap space.
Here are 6 UFAs they could target as possible bargain-bin options to help improve the roster with the salary cap in mind.
Patrik Laine
Patrik Laine is the ultimate bargain-bin target in free agency this summer, but there’s a reason for that. He can’t stay healthy.
Laine played in just five games this season due to injury, and he hasn’t played in a full season since before the pandemic. Those are cause for concern, but that’s where he could be a low-risk, high-reward signing.
The Devils sorely need a finisher in their lineup, and Laine still possesses one of the game’s better shots. He averaged 31 goals per 82 games in his previous three seasons before 2025-26. It’s just a matter of staying on the ice.
There are off-the-puck concerns with Laine, but if he can stay healthy and just be the finisher the Devils need, it’s mission accomplished.
Evolving Hockey has Laine projected for a one-year deal at a cap hit of $946,500. He’ll likely sign an incentive-laden deal based on games played, etc., but he’s worth the gamble for that low of a price.
Patrick Kane
There’s a bit of turmoil in Detroit this offseason. Dylan Larkin requested a trade weeks ago, and Alex DeBrincat has surfaced in trade rumors in recent days.
That could affect Patrick Kane’s decision to stay with the Red Wings for another year. He’s coming off a solid season, having totaled 16 goals and 57 points in 67 games.
Kane’s underlying metrics were solid this season, too. He averaged 2.03 points per 60 minutes at five-on-five, second among Red Wings skaters to DeBrincat.
Kane’s microstats profile was also excellent. He’s still an elite playmaker, and he creates a ton of offense off the rush. His shooting metrics look great as well:
The one concern with Kane is that it does feel like too much of the same between Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt, but he’s still a very good player.
Evolving Hockey has Kane projected for a one-year deal at a cap hit of $2.855 million. That would be good value for what he provides, and Hughes would get to play alongside his idol. It’s worth considering at the very least.
Andrei Kuzmenko
Andrei Kuzmenko had a stellar 39-goal rookie season in 2022-23, but he’s regressed to being more of a middle-six winger since then.
Kuzmenko finished with 13 goals and 25 points in 52 games with the Los Angeles Kings this season, a 21-goal, 40-point pace over 82 games.
Fit seems like an important factor with Kuzmenko, as he’s done well when placed with more skilled players. He’s a good finisher, especially when he gets to high-danger areas.
The concerns with Kuzmenko are his skating and consistency, but he’s still a solid middle-six winger, with potential for more. He might be a good fit alongside two playmakers like Hughes and Bratt.
Evolving Hockey has Kuzmenko projected for a two-year deal at a cap hit of $3.15 million. He could bring good value if he can maintain his 20-goal, 40-point production.
Jaden Schwartz
I’ve always had an appreciation for Jaden Schwartz’s game, dating back to his days with the St. Louis Blues. He’s been one of the more underrated second-line wingers for quite some time.
Schwartz missed a decent chunk of the season with an injury, but he still totaled 11 goals and 26 points in 50 games, an 18-goal, 43-point pace over 82 games.
A peek underneath the hood shows that Schwartz still has something to offer. He averaged 1.77 points per 60 minutes at five-on-five, and although he had an expected goals share (xG%) of 43.4 percent, I’d chalk that up to the Kraken being a dismal five-on-five team.
Schwartz’s microstats profile still looks solid. He’s excellent in transition and is still a solid playmaker. The one concern is the shooting metrics, but he potted 26 goals just a season ago. He might bounce back in a better offensive environment.
Evolving Hockey has a projection of a one-year deal worth $1.837 million for Schwartz. He still has a 20-25 goal and 40-50 point upside, in my opinion, so he could be an absolute bargain for that price.
Vladimir Tarasenko
Last but not least, there’s Vladimir Tarasenko. I’ve probably mentioned Tarasenko at least once an offseason for the last five years, but there’s a connection between Mehta and Tarasenko.
Tarasenko was one of the Panthers’ trade deadline acquisitions when they won the Stanley Cup in 2024. Mehta was one of the Panthers’ AGMs at the time.
Tarasenko is coming off a solid season with the Minnesota Wild, totaling 23 goals and 47 points in 75 games.
He might not be the play driver that he was once, but Tarasenko is still a plus finisher. He averaged 1.06 goals per 60 minutes at five-on-five with the Wild, second to Matt Boldy.
Over the last three seasons, Tarasenko has averaged 0.88 goals per 60 minutes at five-on-five. That’s the same rate as Sam Reinhart and Martin Necas. He’s purely a finisher at this point in his career, but that’s what the Devils need.
Tarasenko’s contract projection from Evolving Hockey is a one-year, $2.656 million deal. He could be a decent stop-gap option as a complement for Hughes and Bratt while Mehta works the trade market over the coming months.
It wouldn’t shock me if Mehta considers him as a UFA target because of the Panthers connection.
Even the Value Options Aren’t the Best This Year
This is not a great year for free agency, even for bargain-bin options. But with the Devils still tight on cap space, Mehta may have to pivot some cheaper options to provide upgrades for the team’s roster.
Kane and Laine are intriguing, and there’s the Tarasenko connection with the Panthers. We’ll see what July 1 and the rest of the week look like.
The NHL Draft and free agency are upon us. We’re running a sale ahead of all the action over the next couple of weeks. Subscribe now and save 50% for 1 year for full access to DOTR:
Advanced stats from Natural Stat Trick, Hockey Stats