Could the New Jersey Devils Become Trade Deadline Buyers?

The New Jersey Devils are still near the top of the NHL after one-third of the season has passed. They could look to upgrade their roster by the trade deadline.

For the first time since 2009-10, the New Jersey Devils are among the top teams in the Eastern Conference. If they can maintain their lofty perch in the standings, they could become buyers by the March 3 trade deadline.

The New York Post's Larry Brooks wondered if the Devils would target a big-ticket rental winger like the Chicago Blackhawks' Patrick Kane or a center such as Jonathan Toews or the St. Louis Blues' Ryan O'Reilly. He acknowledged that their lack of projected trade deadline cap space could be a problem but suggested peddling Damon Severson to clear some room.

Severson, 28, carries a cap hit of $4.16 million and is slated to become an unrestricted free agent in July. The off-season addition of John Marino has him relegated to the Devils' third defense pairing.

Assuming the Devils maintain their current level of performance, Brooks felt they have the assets to make a splash before the deadline. Severson could be bundled with a quality prospect plus a first or second-round draft pick to make the cap dollars work. They could also ship him out along with a pick in a separate cost-cutting move.

Brooks considered top prospects such as defensemen Luke Hughes and Simon Nemec as out-of-bounds. However, he suggested college blueliner Seamus Casey or winger Alexander Holtz as potential trade bait.

Holtz could be an enticing trade chip if the Devils go shopping for a big-name playoff rental.

Chosen seventh overall by the Devils in the 2020 NHL draft, Holtz was projected to become a scoring winger. So far, however, the 20-year-old Swede has become a frequent healthy scratch with just two goals in 10 games. Perhaps a trade to a rebuilding club that would give him some more playing time will help him reach his potential.