The New Jersey Devils are looking to improve their defense. While goaltending was an issue for the Devils last season and a reason why they did not make the playoffs. All signs can point to the defense as well. Injuries to the back end did not help, especially to Dougie Hamilton, but they did not play well structurally either if we are honest. Adding a guy like Brett Pesce could stabilize the defense.
Tom Fitzgerald Still Has Holes to Fill on the New Jersey Devils Roster
We know the New Jersey Devils are going to be active this offseason. President and General Manager Tom Fitzgerald wants to go “Big-Game Hunting.” He already added Jacob Markstrom and is not finished ensuring his team can compete next season and beyond for the playoffs.
As previously mentioned, the Devils need defensive needs. The Carolina Hurricanes have several pending UFA defensemen, including Pesce. Pesce makes the Devils defense even better, and there is speculation that once July 1st comes, he will be a member of the New Jersey Devils.
On a recent episode of the 32 Thoughts Podcast, Jeff Marek and Elliotte Friedman discussed Pesce as a target for the Devils.
Jeff Marek: “So I don’t think this is, I don’t think the New Jersey Devils are closed for business at all, Elliotte. I still think that they’re, I still think they’re out there looking. I think a lot of people …”
Friedman: “I suspect they’re one of the teams in on (Brett) Pesce.”
Marek: “Would not surprise me at all. I think a lot of people to your previous point about the deal, looks a little bit light.”
Again, Friedman and Marek doubled down on the Pesce to the Devils on the latest episode of the 32 Thoughts Podcast.
Marek: “You know, another defenseman we wonder about being on radars is Brett Pesce. One team I wonder about with Brett Pesce is the New Jersey Devils.”
Friedman: “We speculated about that last week.”
Marek: “It would have to be a subsequent move with John Marino. But I can see New Jersey and Brett Pesce coming together.”
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Pesce is the perfect fit for the Devils needs on the back end, as they want to get a little more physical. He is a top-four defenseman. He is the shutdown defenseman the Devils need to allow the second and third opportunities from happening.
Some rumours swirling around Brett Pesce potentially signing with NJ in free agency… two-way top-four righty who defends the rush well, kills penalties, and shuts down passing lanes. #NJDevils pic.twitter.com/ve8ppWPUow
— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) June 24, 2024
AFP Analytics’ latest projection predicts Pesce to receive a five-year contract with a $6,283,200 cap hit.
While DailyFaceOff projects Brett Pesce to get six years and $6.7 million per in free agency in July.
According to reports floating around and nothing done until it is done, Pesce could get a six-year deal from the Devils in the $6 million AAV range.
We know the Devils need to improve their defense and Brett Pesce is an ideal fit for them. It is something to watch as Free Agency begins on Monday.
