The New Jersey Devils have been one of the best teams in the NHL all season. They have compiled a 33-13-4 record and 70 points as they sit second in the Metropolitan Division, trailing the Carolina Hurricanes by six points but have a game in hand. Much of their success is due to the breakout season of 21-year-old Jack Hughes, who continues to solidify himself as one of the best players in the NHL at such a young age. After years of stockpiling draft picks and drafting at the front of the draft, the Devils now find themselves as legitimate playoff contenders as they are set to be buyers leading up to the March 3rd trade deadline.
General manager Tom Fitzgerald is looking to be aggressive at the trade deadline as he looks to add another key piece to his young team. Fitzgerald will be looking to add a top-six winger to improve the Devil’s already potent offense and give Hughes a scoring threat alongside him.
Here are a few players who have been linked to a deal with the Devils:
Timo Meier, San Jose Sharks
Meier has been heavily linked to the Devils as he is their top trade target heading towards March 3rd. Meier checks off just about every box for the team, and that doesn’t include how he’s close friends with team captain Nico Hischier. The 26-year-old is having a career year, as he’s recorded 28 goals, 20 assists, and 48 points in 51 games. He is the type of player that would fit right into the Devils’ top six and give their scoring and playmaking a considerable boost, not just this season but for years to come if they can sign him to an extension. Meier is set to be an RFA after this season and has a $10 million qualifying offer, but if Fitzgerald can acquire him, it’s safe to say he will get a long-term extension in place before it comes to that.
The price the San Jose Sharks have set for Meier is a first-rounder and one Grade-A or two Grade-B prospects or one good prospect and a young established NHL player in return. The Devils have the assets to get a deal done it will just come down to how much Fitzgerald is willing to give up.
Brock Boeser, Vancouver Canucks
Boeser is having a down year on a disappointing Canucks team, as the 25-year-old has only recorded nine goals and 31 points in 42 games. While this may worry some fans, there is nothing to worry about as Boeser is a proven scorer in the NHL with four 20-goal campaigns already in his career. A change of scenery would do the young winger good, as his time in Vancouver has run its course.
Acquiring Boeser is also appealing as he has term left on his contract as he’s signed for another two seasons and carries a $6.65 million cap hit. Pairing Boeser with either Nico Hischier or Jack Hughes should ignite his scoring and get him back to being a 25-30 goal scorer in no time.
Pavel Buchnevich, St Louis Blues
An interesting name to keep an eye on is 27-year-old Pavel Buchnevich, who could be on the move from a struggling Blues team. The Blues are expected to be sellers at the deadline as Tarasenko and O’Reilly headline the top Blues players most likely on the move. For the right price, Buchnevich could be on the move as well as St. Louis will look to capitalize on his career year last season when he scored 30 goals and 78 points. This season he has recorded 15 goals and 38 points in 38 games and is on pace to have the second-highest totals in his career, even while being banged up and currently injured. Buchnevich also provides a little bit of playoff experience as he’s appeared in 20 playoff games, recording 12 points, with the majority of that coming during last season’s Blues’ playoff run.
What makes him so appealing is he would provide the Devils with skill and physical play, which will come in handy down the stretch. Buchenevich is signed for another two seasons after this year and carries a cap hit of $5.8 million. If Fitzgerald can not acquire Meier or Boeser, Buchnevich wouldn’t be a bad consolation prize if the price is right.
