Team: 2022-23 New Jersey Devils

Initial Creation Date: Dec. 27, 2022

Published: Dec. 27, 2022

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

Florida is going to have a big issue once Duclair and Hornqvist are back off IR. They obviously pay to ship them off but with the state of their prospect pool and their draft situation, they might want to move out some guys with value to recoup what they have lost the last 2 years.

Why both teams make this move…

NJ: New Jersey is lacking 2 critical things on their team as it currently stands. 1. An interior forward. Sam Reinhart helps cover this. Reinhart is great at getting shots off in the inner slot. He finds himself net front a lot where he can chip in greasy goals and create deflections. He would also be the final piece on pp1 and help round out both units.
Bennett fills the other thing we lack which is the need for a true power forward. Bennett would solidly the 3rd line as a scoring threat and increase the cycle and transition game we desperately need for that line. With Bennett in the lineup, our center depth becomes the absolute best in the league.

Florida: starting with Severson, with Gudas on the IR Florida has 5 defenders on their main roster. They need defensive depth desperately. Severson bolsters their defense exponentially solidifying a top 4 that not only looks way better on paper, but helps them slot the rest of their D core better. Given that it’s Florida, I think the Panthers would have an easier time negotiating a cheaper extension given the taxation factor. Given that Florida also doesn’t own their 1st round pick this year, I think they are definitely looking for any option to improve their team and make the playoffs.
Sharangovich and Zetterlund help replace some what they are losing in both Bennett and Reinhart. While they arent perfect replacements, the key here is Florida gets both younger and cheaper. The extra cap space created is enough to take Duclair off the IR with room to spare. Both Sharangovich and Zetterlund are great young players and NJ would hate to see them leave, I think they would gel really well with what Florida is doing.
Josh Filmon is a small sweetener to take the offer just over the top. He’s been having himself a wonderful season and Florida needs to restock the cupboards with whatever they can.


Is this deal enough to land both Reinhart and Bennett? Does my explanation into why both teams accept make sense? With Florida on the outside looking in of a very stacked eastern conference, and not owning their own 1st round pick, the Panthers seem like the perfect trade partner considering their level of desperation, their needs, and the Devils needs.
Let me know what you all think.

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