Team: 2021-22 New Jersey Devils

Initial Creation Date: Jul. 7, 2021

Published: Jul. 7, 2021

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

I really like what New Jersey has done with this rebuild, they're 'throw the kids in and see how they do' mentality has arguably worked very well and helped many young players develop, but now I think it's time New Jersey begins to add veterans, leaders and more proven scorers to this core. Firstly, New Jersey can hit two birds with one stone by accepting a cap dump from San Jose for Erik Karlsson while also getting some assets. Though the Karlsson contract is bad, I think it's time someone takes a risk on this guy and gains assets while also getting a possible bounce-back right defenceman. New Jerse also ships out two pending RFAs in Merkley and Kuokkanen, who are good but I didn't feel fit specifaicly well in this lineup and it was best to trade them to acquire a Korpisalo as the future running mate for Blackwood. Finally, I adressed some more needs via free agency in getting a solid and defensively responsible d-man in Martinez as well as getting a hard-working and versatile winger in Hyman to play big minutes in big situations. Though New Jersey does eat a lot of cap in this ACGM, I'm still confident they'll have money to pay their players going forward as the Subban contract comes off the books just in time to pay Hughes.

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