The New Jersey Devils have the cap space to make headlines during this year’s UFA, but find out which top skaters they’ll need to avoid signing.
The expectations are as high as ever for the New Jersey Devils to make a splash during the 2018 offseason and on July 1 when the unrestricted free agency (UFA) period begins.
For the first time, in what seems like over a decade, New Jersey has an opportunity to sign some of the NHL’s biggest named skaters, ones that will actually meet expectations while donning a Devils sweater.
However, the 2018 UFA class has a number of skaters that are also more than likely going to get overpaid due to varied talent level for this summer’s market.
Should New Jersey fail to sign its primary targets come July 1, here are seven UFA’s that the Devils need to avoid signing.
Mike Green
It’s no secret that the Devils need to add an all-star caliber defenseman and sooner rather than later. Yet, if they were to sign defenseman Mike Green this offseason, it means that New Jersey was unable to sign the top UFA blueliner in John Carlson.
Yes, Green would serve as a top-two defenseman on just about any NHL team, but his asking price is going to be high. The market for defensemen this offseason isn’t as strong as next summers, so Green’s status will benefit from that factor with a number of teams willing to overpay to add him to their defense core.
If New Jersey can’t sign Carlson or acquire another top defenseman through a trade, the Devils are better off waiting until next summer when players such as Erik Karlsson, Drew Doughty, and Tyler Myers are set to become UFA.
NEXT: Players 6 and 5
Tyler Bozak
The Devils and veteran forward Tyler Bozak have always seemed to be linked to trade rumors, but the timing isn’t right. A theme for a majority of this year’s free agents is that the market is going to play in their favor, and adding Bozak would just be a trap that the Devils don’t need to fall into.
Since Evander Kane re-signed with the San Jose Sharks, the former undrafted forward’s stock has now risen and his asking price is going to be higher than expected.
There are Stanley Cup Playoff caliber teams that will offer to overpay in order to have Bozak as a depth center, but the Devils should avoid bringing him on and focus on signing other forwards.
Jack Johnson
A left-handed shooter, a long reach and plenty of experience to offer at just the age of 31 sounds enticing to add to a team’s blue line. Defenseman Jack Johnson signed a seven-year contract worth $30-plus million back in 2011 with the Los Angeles Kings.
Most feel that the six-foot-one defenseman would be receiving a contract just as big, if not bigger, come 2018.
Johnson was shipped off to play with the Columbus Blue Jackets immediately after signing the extensive contract, and now he may appear to be a bargain for teams interested in adding a defenseman of his caliber.
He more than likely won’t get overpaid since he’s coming off of a career-low 11 points last season, but he’s not worth signing if you’re the Devils – not even if it’s short-term and a “prove yourself” type of deal.
NEXT: Players 4 and 3
Blake Comeau
It could pan out to be “Michael Grabner Part II” for New Jersey if it decided to add the veteran forward Blake Comeau this offseason.
Comeau could be a bargain for some teams, but not the Devils who will need to focus on signing more talented wingers to bring in more offense.
He is coming off of a nice season out in the Western Conference with the Colorado Avalanche, but the former New York Islander would benefit both parties elsewhere.
The 32-year-old’s market status is appealing, but adding the winger could cause annoying roster issues moving forward. Instead, the solution would be to sign Brian Gibbons and continue to let him grow with the few core-group of skaters that are already established with Jersey’s team.
David Perron
After posting a career-high 66 points in 2018 with the expansion Vegas Golden Knights, forward David Perron’s stock is higher than ever.
The 30-year-old hasn’t shown signs of slowing down anytime soon, but keep in mind that Perron has played for five different teams since first lacing up the skates with the St. Louis Blues back in 2007-08.
Perron is going to be a temptation that the Devils should avoid, though. He’ll bring grit and potential offense, but he’ll never live up to the expectations if he were to leave Vegas. Plus, the Devils already acquired a winger somewhat similar to Perron in relation to potential offensive production, Patrick Maroon.
Maroon seems that he would be a good fit for the Devils and worth signing more so than Perron.
NEXT: Players 2 and 1
Michael Grabner
Forward Michael Grabner didn’t produce the offensive numbers that head coach Jon Hynes and company were expecting. What he did prove, is that he can bring value to the team’s penalty kill, and his foot speed is attractive to New Jersey’s style of play.
While New Jersey coughed up a 2018 second-round draft pick and prospect Yegor Rykov in exchange for Grabner, he’s still not worth bringing back given there other available wingers on the market that could be a better fit moving forward in Jersey.
He was worth the risk at the trade deadline and had plenty of opportunities to prove his value and potential future status with the Devils, yet he found himself as a healthy scratch when New Jersey needed him most, during the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Thomas Vanek
The left-wing position arguably holds the highest value in the UFA market this summer. Skaters such as James van Riemsdyk, Rick Nash, James Neal and even a name such as Matt Calvert are all intriguing free agents.
Then there’s veteran forward Thomas Vanek who is hiding in the midst of that class. Vanek has bounced around from to team to team in recent memory while dressing for eight different teams since 2013. There’s a bigger picture that’s been brewing in Jersey for a few years now, and Vanek could potentially disrupt that culture that’s been trending in the right direction.
Vanek’s market price will more than likely be a mystery, as the 34-year-old will want to wait and see what other free agents receive prior to his signing for leverage purposes.
Yes, he’s a proven goal-scorer and could benefit the team’s already deadly power play, but there are safer options for New Jersey.