Team: 2021-22 New Jersey Devils

Initial Creation Date: Jun. 18, 2021

Published: Jun. 24, 2021

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

Devils have no chance at landing Hamilton. They will have to find something more in the aggregate, but should not make the mistake of long term expensive "meh" UFAs while they continue to grow. Gost gives them someone short-term that will eat minutes in front of Smith and help on PP2, while moving them up in the draft while giving PHI cap flexibility as they go for Seth Jones (who, based on analytics) is someone NJD should stay away from.

Hakanpaa has great defensive numbers and should help the PK some more even if he wasn't used as much in bigger spots, the hope is next year he falls to the 3rd line.

PIT and WSH are probably one more year away both from the real fall that would give the Devils a chance at the playoffs, so don't mortgage the future window for rushing the chance now....that's how they ended up with Subban on the downside of his career.

I actually think Mercer will have a better year than Holtz, as he could become our new Blake Coleman at a far earlier age and then surpass what he brought. He just fits better on a gritty 4th line and will be hard for matchups. Holtz just needs to be primed on a line that will feed him the puck so he can be the best at what he is.

I expect the division to go NYI, CAR (even losing Hamilton to SEA, ensuring they don't lose anyone to expansion because that would could as the player lost or if sign and trade they lose someone they want to lose), NYR (they are going to rush the rebuild thanks to Dolan, for better or more likely worse all with a much better coach), with PIT and WSH battling out for the wildcard spots as they get old or shallower and can't trust their goaltending. PHI will be better as Carter Hart can't be THAT bad, but this Devils roster will be scrappy and the young core will get tighter as they bide their time for the real jump. CBJ and BUF will be baaaaad.

Would love to upgrade a 3rd line center for Boqvist as I'm not sure what he is yet, but this gets the Devils JUST beyond the salary floor. However, it means they can't trade away Subban at the deadline without acquiring more salary than they give away, so they could be in the market for one bad contract they stash in AHL or keep as an extra to ensure they always can stay at the floor.

Could look at expiring deals like Hickey (NYI), Eriksson, Roussel, and Beagle (VAN) or even Rask from MINN if they go for Eichel and need to cut salary. Anything one year that won't impact them next year at all.

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