The New Jersey Devils have been looking for a top-six scoring winger since they traded Tyler Toffoli to the Winnipeg Jets at the 2024 NHL Trade Deadline. New Jersey has been missing that production Toffoli for the last season and a half. He was on pace to get 35 goals before the trade. Devils President and General Manager Tom Fitzgerald has pursued many options to upgrade that position, including calling the Seattle Kraken about Jared McCann.
Devils Rumors: Dawson Mercer Continues to Be a Trade Target
The Devils have been linked to McCann for the past year or so. Why not? He has a good contract with three years remaining at $5 million a season. McCann consistently scores 30 goals and 30 assists. He even got 40 goals two seasons ago and can play both the wing and center. Thus, he is an ideal fit for the Devils.
However, as Rob Simpson of SeattleHockeyInsider.com reported, the Devils indeed called the Kraken about McCann, but they told the New Jersey, “We’re Not Trading McCann.”
And why the Kraken trade him, considering his value? He has three years left on his contract at $5 million a season, which makes him very affordable given his production. McCann has been the leading goal scorer for the Seattle Kraken over the last couple of seasons. So, Kraken GM Jason Botterill will not be giving up McCann that easily.
During an appearance with Simpson, the question was proposed about what the cost would be for the Devils if the Kraken were to make McCann available.
Definitely you’re gonna have to throw a 1st-round pick in there, for a player like McCann,” Biringer said to Simpson of SeattleHockeyInsider.com. “If Dawson Mercer is part of this deal, then there has to be a top prospect going the other way as well. If Seattle needs defense, maybe a guy like Seamus Casey or Simon Nemec. For a guy that valuable, for $5-million, who can potentially put up 40 goals, those are three pieces I’m looking at to go back to Seattle, and if I’m the general manager of the Kraken, that’s probably what I’m asking for.
As DevilsNation.com has written, Dawson Mercer would be a player that could be on the move as New Jersey looks to clear cap space. Mercer signed a three-year bridge deal last year at $4 million, and his production has tailled off. Though he is still valuable on the penalty kill and in the faceoff circle. However, he has yet to become the top-six forward the team had hoped he could be.
Devils Offseason: New Jersey Needs A Goal Scorer Not Just Depth Scoring
It’s a tough decision, as Fitzgerald mentioned in the summer, that would be made regarding the roster moving forward. A player like Mercer has value and can net 20 goals a season. But there is more to be unlocked. When Jack Hughes went down to injury in the second half of the season, you saw what Mercer could be at center. However, to get something like a McCann, the Devils have to give up something.
Currently, the player is not available for trade by the team. In addition, Jared McCann has a modified 10-team no-trade clause. So he has to say where he wants to go. Is New Jersey on the list? If the Devils are, that means he would have to waive to go there.
Other teams like the Montreal Canadiens could pursue McCann as they need a second-line center and might have more to give the Kraken. But again, the Devils tried to make a deal happen and were told no. This could change if the Kraken struggle to begin the season. It wouldn’t shock anyone if the Devils try to re-engage the Kraken about Jared McCann at the trade deadline.
