The New Jersey Devils made a trade on Day 2 of the NHL Draft as they are sending defenseman John Marino to the Utah Hockey Club.
The New Jersey Devils are trading John Marino to the Utah Hockey Club #njdevils #utah @FullPressNHL @myNHLTradeRumor @DevilsNationX
— Jim Biringer (@JimBiringer) June 29, 2024
As part of the deal, the Devils sent Marino and pick 153 in the fifth round of the 2024 NHL Draft for the 49th pick overall in the second of 2024 and a 2025 second-round conditional pick that was initially Edmonton’s.
John Marino was a potential trade candidate for the Devils this season. He had three years left on his deal at $4.4 million. Devils President and General Manager Tom Fitzgerald always wants to improve his hockey club. Defense is an area the Devils always want to improve.
New Jersey Devils Eyeing Brett Pesce to Improve Defense
Marino was a solid defenseman for the Devils in his first season with the club, but he took a step back last season. Fitzgerald’s brilliant move to let him shred the salary without retention is a testament to his continued magic.
John Marino is a solid puck-moving defensive defenceman. He has a strong possession game, which allows him to exit the zone with the puck very well. However, that was not there last season. Marino struggled to play more minutes last year for the Devils. But as a whole, the Devils defense did not play well either.
As Devils Nation has documented, Fitzgerald wants the Devils to be tougher to play against and better in their defensive zone. That made them successful in 2023 when they went to the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Tom Fitzgerald Still Has Holes to Fill on the New Jersey Devils Roster
Not to mention, the goaltending did not help Marino’s game. Now, he will get a fresh start in Utah.
However, as Devils Nation has documented, the Devils will address their defensive needs on Day 1 of Free Agency. Clearing the cap space always allows the Devils to sign their number one defensive target, Brett Pesce.
The trade of Marino confirms what I have heard and been told multiple times Brett Pesce will be a member of the New Jersey Devils on July 1 #njdevils @FullPressNHL @myNHLTradeRumor @DevilsNationX
— Jim Biringer (@JimBiringer) June 29, 2024
Pesce has been rumored to sign with the Devils on July 1st. Given how defensemen have been getting paid, those close to Full Press Hockey indicated he could get a six-year deal around a $6 million AAV. Pesce might not be the only defenseman the Devils target on July 1 either.
This is a business, and as much as John Marino helped the club, Brett Pesce will upgrade their top-four defense.
