The New Jersey Devils need a bit of help everywhere this summer
New Jersey Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald has been busy this summer replacing head coach Lindy Ruff with Sheldon Keefe. Now Fitzgerald’s attention turns to upgrading his roster this offseason.
The Devils are set to select #10 overall in the first round of the 2024 NHL Draft and word is the pick could be available for the right price. Fitzgerald has several needs throughout his roster, including finding another goaltender to pair with Jake Allen.
The Devils have been historically aggressive on the trade market and throughout this past season, were reportedly close to acquiring goaltender Jacob Markstrom from the Calgary Flames. The deal fell through on the Flames’ end and now Fitzgerald enters this summer with a continued will to make changes. It won’t just be in net, Fitzgerald would like to become tougher to play against under Keefe and could look to add some more grit up front.
On Friday’s episode of Daily Faceoff Live, Frank Seravalli and Tyler Yaremchuk discussed what’s to come from the Devils this offseason and had this to say:
Tyler Yaremchuk: Frank, another team who is looking to get into the playoffs next year, that is not a team who is just going to sit back and say ‘ya, we’ll trust the process’, they hire Sheldon Keefe, they got some moves they need to make though. We know and we talk a lot about the Devils’ need to get a goalie, they’re going to get a goalie, but what else is on the list for Tom Fitzgerald?
Frank Seravalli: Where do we start? I had a GM message me yesterday and say ‘hey the New Jersey Devils are looking for a top-six forward, bottom-six forward, top-four defenseman, bottom-pair defenseman and a goalie. And, they said a partridge in a pear tree.
Where do you start? And look, this is a good team. I’m telling you, we just mentioned Stuart Skinner .900 save percentage, if the New Jersey Devils are anywhere in the world of .900 next season, stone cold mortal lock playoff team.
Tyler Yaremchuk: They might win the division.
Frank Seravalli: They could. They have that much talent, they just need a little luck with the health department along the way. Dougie Hamilton, Jack Hughes injured for chunks of the year again, those are two humongous pieces to take out of your lineup.
So they have the forward core, they’ve got young defensemen, so they need some veteran D help, but Tom Fitzgerald hasn’t been able to settle the goalie issue at any point so far in his tenure.
For more on the Devils, the 2024 offseason trade market and full breakdown of the Stanley Cup Final, watch the full episode here: