It’s been a busy, busy offseason for the New Jersey Devils but with just a few months away from the start of the NHL season, it looks like more moves could be on the horizon.
After snagging Jack Hughes with the first overall pick and acquiring P.K. Subban from the Nashville Predators, Devils managing partner Josh Harris implied that the team is not done making moves. On Thursday, he went on to say general manager Ray Shero is “wheeling and dealing”, and that the team is “not done”.
Even after the Subban trade ($9 million AAV), the Devils still have a projected $16,945,000 in cap space per Cap Friendly with Pavel Zacha and Will Butcher still unsigned as RFAs. New Jersey struggled on both sides of the ice last season, finishing 25th in goals for with 219 and 26th in goals against with 271 so offense and defence could be in play. The Devils have made the playoffs just once (2017-18) since reaching the Stanley Cup Finals in 2012.
The one question surrounding the team’s roster that everyone is wondering about is… what’s going to happen with Taylor Hall! The 2018 Hart Trophy winner is set to become a UFA following next season and it remains unclear whether he wants to stick with the organization or not. With promising players such as Hughes and Nico Hischier on the roster, he could be convinced if the Devils can show some life this season.
It’s going to be an interesting next couple of months in the Garden State.
