Team: 2017-18 New Jersey Devils

Initial Creation Date: Apr. 9, 2017

Published: Apr. 9, 2017

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

2017 NHL Draft: The Devils are looking as if they will pick between 4-6 (assuming nothing crazy happens in the lottery). Therefore I have the Devils selecting American born forward Casey Mittelstadt. Devils fans and simply hockey fans know that the NJ Devils need more scoring flare to provide more support for Taylor Hall and Kyle Palmieri. He reminds me of a bigger and stronger Clayton Keller, he has both the speed and the skill to become an elite forward in the NHL. Mittelstadt will be attending Minnesota University. I assume he will be one and done and will be ready to make and impact in the 2018-2019 season.

Free Agency (resigning Devils): The only big FA for the Devils this offseason is RFA defenseman Damon Severson. A young offensive defenseman will go through major growing pains while becoming accustom to life in the NHL. Severson has serious offensive ability while tallying 31 points on a struggling Devils team.

Free Agency (Dipping into the pool): The Devils haven't had a puck moving defenseman in a very long time. There will be one on the market this offseason in Kevin Shattenkirk. There is a good chance he resigns in WSH, as the Caps will do a lot to resign their newly acquired defenseman. However, reports have surfaced stating that Shattenkirk wants to play near home (alluding to the NYR). He would be a huge piece for the Rangers, but they simply don't have the cap space to pay him. Shattenkirk has also said he'd take a paycut to play for the Rangers. He figures to earn around 6-7 million per year this offseason, so he'd most likely be accepting of a 5+ million deal with NYR. But still they don't have the cap room especially with Mika Zibanejad's contract expiring. He figures to earn 4-5 million per as a solid 2C. The Devils are in the opposite situation. Knowing Ray Shero he will make a big push for Shattenkirk. Possibly north of 7 million a year but not quite 8 if the bidding gets that high. Shattenkirk is honestly work no more than 6.5 million per, but FA is the time where good players get paid as if they're great. Signing Patrick Eaves to a nice deal could payoff. He put up 31 goals this year, which was a huge surprise. Obviously we wouldn't be expecting this type of production from him annually, but putting him on a line with a fast Miles Wood and possibly even faster Michael McLeod could be dangerous. McLeod has major upside in his future as a top 6 forward and starting his career with Patrick Eaves who is on a good streak can help him. Just and idea.

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