The New Jersey Devils saw one of their targets leave when the Montreal Canadiens announced they signed Jake Evans to a four-year extension with an AAV of $2.85 million.
Now, the Devils were not the only team scouting Evans; President and GM Tom Fitzgerald had been scouting him heavily. As TheDevilsNation.com had reported, the Devils had been linked to Evans for months to help with center depth. Not only that, Evans could play a vital role in the faceoff circle and on the penalty kill. That option is no longer there for the Devils.
NHL Rumors: New Jersey Devils Need a Center, and the Price for Brayden Schenn and Others is High
The asking price for Jake Evans from Canadiens GM Kent Hughes was high. The belief was that it started with a second-round pick. New Jersey had three to use, but the Canadiens might have wanted more. To make matters worse, there is a belief that Jack Hughes, who crashed into the boards hard on Sunday night in a loss to the Vegas Golden Knights, could be lost for the rest of the regular season and playoffs.
With Jack Hughes needing surgery and out, Fitzgerald continues to weigh all his options at the deadline. However, the Devils need center help not only for the short term but also for the long term. So where do the Devils look?
Remaining Options At Center for the New Jersey Devils
According to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet, the Devils and Tom Fitzgerald checked in with the St. Louis Blues and Brayden Schenn. However, the asking price was so high that the Devils did not want to pay it.
What about Ryan O’Reilly from the Nashville Predators? He also appears to be a player who is not going to be moved. It is going to take a blowout offer to move him. Remember, the Predators were looking for Seamus Casey, Dawson Mercer, Akira Schmid, and a first for Juuse Saros last season. That is something similar the Predators would want for O’Reilly.
NHL Rumors: Devils Have Work To Do on Defense
All the insiders say Brock Nelson is from the New York Islanders. But do we really think that the current Islanders GM and former Devils GM Lou Lamoriello are going to really help his old team out? He would want a lot for Nelson, who is on an expiring contract. Plus, is Nelson a long-term solution for the Devils at that position given his age and Fitzgerald’s history of not wanting to hand out long-term deals to players in their mid-30s?
There have been reports about Casey Mittelstadt being an option. But is he really a 2C? Colorado does not think so and that is why they are moving him. Buffalo did not think so. He is more of a 3C if anything. What would the cost be to get him?
As far as depth centers go, Yanni Gourde of the Seattle Kraken was an option before the trade to the Tampa Bay Lightning, Ryan Donato of the Chicago Blackhawks, and Scott Laughton of the Philadelphia Flyers are options the Devils are considering. Similar to Mikko Rantanen and the Carolina Hurricanes, the cost for Laughton will be higher in Philadelphia given that Laughton has a year left on his deal. Plus Philadelphia would be sending him to a rival.
Outside the Box Options for the Long Term?
Well, if the New Jersey Devils want a long-term solution to their problem at center, you are going to have to look outside the box. Again, Fitzgerald is not going to sneak up on anyone with these trades, so he is going to have to give up something to get something.
One option could be Dylan Cozens from the Buffalo Sabres. Even with the Devils needing to extend Luke Hughes and add other pieces, Cozens makes sense as he has five years remaining at $7.1 million. So the money works for the Devils. They would obviously have to move out money like Dawson Mercer and his $4 million cap hit. Simon Nemec probably goes into the deal along with something else. If the Devils can get Bowen Byram out of it to help on the left side, that is a hockey trade both teams might consider.
NHL Rumors: Devils Looking to Add Multiple Forwards
Another option could be Marco Rossi of the Minnesota Wild. Remember, the Wild chose Rossi ninth overall at the 2020 NHL Draft for center help, as the Devils took Alexander Holtz two positions earlier, at seven. Holtz was traded to the Vegas Golden Knights in the summer, which resulted in Paul Cotter. According to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet, Rossi’s days could be numbered. There is a hockey trade to be made there for a player that is looking for a new deal.
Those are just some possibilities out there that could work long-term. There are others, like a certain center in Vancouver who could use a change of scenery, but the Canucks will need to retain for the Devils to make this deal work. But the fact remains the Devils need center help with or without Jack Hughes in the lineup.
It will be interesting to see what direction Tom Fitzgerald and the New Jersey Devils go in. All options are on the table.
