Devils Post-Draft Outlook

Team: 2022-23 New Jersey Devils

Initial Creation Date: Jul. 8, 2022

Published: Jul. 10, 2022

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

I think the Devils had a successful draft, not being too aggressive and making the logical moves.

Here is my outlook on the team and free agency

First off with the draft. I'm glad the Devils kept the pick. Apart from Tkachuk, all of the other options had at least 1 thing that scared Fitz away such as playing style, age, contract, etc. Better to keep the pick rather than force a trade.

Simon Nemec was a great pick at 2. Wright was the BPA but Devils obviously didn’t need centers and Nemec strengths the Devils future D-Core. I was shocked that the Habs took Slafkovsky. I was 90% sure the Devils would end up with Slafkovsky but it is what it is. Seamus Casey was a great pick at 46. Dynamic defensemen who will play along Luke Hughes at Michigan. Tyler Brennan was the best goalie of the class. My only knock on the Devils draft is that we drafted too many dmen and not enough forwards

In the draft, the Devils traded basically a 3rd for Vitek Vanacek which was a good move. Seeing that Fleury resigned, Husso got moved/signed, and Holtby retiring, the options for goaltenders were dwindling. Husso’s UFA rights got a 3rd in return so trading a 3rd+ for Vanacek is a good deal. Fitz still believes in Blackwood so next year Vanacek and Blackwood would be 1A-1B duo. If Bernier comes back, he would be 3rd string in case either gets injured. And Daws is still in the AHL.

For free agency, I think they go after Gaudreau. Big name free agent from NJ and they’re one of the only teams that can afford him + he could be willing to go to. Apart from that, I think the Devils make a couple of trades as listed below to clear cap and roster space.

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