Report: Devils Also Seeking a Top-4 Defenseman

It appears the New Jersey Devils want a bit of everything this offseason, and you can now add a top-4 defender to the mix

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We know the New Jersey Devils want a goalie. They're also looking for a top-six forward and maybe one or two bottom-six forwards. Oh, and they may be seeking a bottom-four defenseman. But wait. There's more! They might also be in the market for a top-four blueliner.

On DFO Live yesterday, Frank Seravalli reported that a GM texted him the Devils want, well...pretty much everything.

The Devils have $19.1 million in cap space this offseason, but part of that will have to go to Dawson Mercer for an extension. It's not like they have unlimited money to spend, so general manager Tom Fitzgerald will have his work cut out for him if he seeks all that.

If he wants a top-four defenseman, where can he turn to? There are a few names out there that could be of interest. And if he acquires one, it could move a certain Devils defenseman down the lineup, taking care of the need for a bottom-pair defender.

Shea Theodore

What the Vegas Golden Knights decide to do with Shea Theodore this offseason will be one of the more fascinating storylines. They signed Noah Hanifin to a massive extension after acquiring him ahead of the trade deadline, and they will have to move cap space this offseason, especially if they want to retain Jonathan Marchessault, who's a pending UFA.

Could Theodore be a cap casualty? He has one year remaining on his contract at a cap hit of $5.2 million, and if they aren't confident in their ability to re-sign him, they could move him this offseason while his value is at its highest.

If Theodore is on the block, the Devils should 100 percent be in on that sweepstakes. While there are some defensive concerns with his game, the Devils could very much use his puck-moving ability on the left side of their blue line. His microstats this season were nothing short of superb:

Via JFresh Hockey, data tracked by Corey Sznajder (@shutdownline)

Even though Theodore would be a cap casualty, I still think he'd be a relatively expensive trade. He shouldn't cost the Devils the 10th overall pick, given 1) he'd be a cap casualty and two) he has one year left on his deal. But a 2025 first with top-10 protection, a later draft pick and a top-10 organizational prospect might be what it costs to pry him out of Vegas. Obviously, the Devils would want to re-sign him, but that's a bridge to cross when the time comes.

Nikita Zadorov