The New Jersey Devils have improved after a slow start, but speculation increases on potential upgrades in net and on defense with the trade deadline two months away.
The New Jersey Devils have improved after a slow start, but speculation increases on potential upgrades in net and on defense with the trade deadline two months away.
The New Jersey Devils were 10-9-1 in their first 20 games, sitting 12th overall in the Eastern Conference as of Nov. 28. That prompted speculation GM Tom Fitzgerald was in the market for a goaltending upgrade over his then-tandem of Vitek Vanecek and Akira Schmid.
Since then, the Devils went 10-5-1 heading into Friday's matchup with the Chicago Blackhawks and are jockeying for the final Eastern Conference wild-card berth. Nevertheless, speculation persists that Fitzgerald is still seeking help between the pipes.l
Vanecek has a record of 13-7-1, but his 3.35 goals-against average and .883 save percentage rank among the worst for NHL starters this season. Schmid fared little better before his recent assignment to their AHL affiliate in Utica, going 5-7-1 with 3.26 GAA and .893 SP. Call-up Nico Daws has won his two starts with a 2.52 GAA and .906 SP.
During an appearance Wednesday on the NHL Network, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman said he believes the Devils have been looking at the goalie market. However, he indicated that teams with goalies to spare currently hold all the leverage.
Friedman listed Anaheim's John Gibson, Calgary's Jacob Markstrom, Columbus' Elvis Merzlikins, Montreal's Jake Allen and San Jose's Kaapo Kahkonen as potential trade candidates.
He said he believes acquiring Gibson would be difficult to do without salary retention by the Ducks, while Markstrom would have to waive his no-movement clause. Merzlikins has struggled this season; no one has yet met the Canadiens' asking price for Allen, and Kahkonen lacks playoff experience.
Friedman also thinks the Devils are interested in bolstering their blueline with Dougie Hamilton sidelined for the rest of the regular season. He could see them going after someone like Calgary's Noah Hanifin.
Speaking of the Devils, New Jersey Hockey Now's James Nichols reported on Sunday that sources claimed they might be willing to part with Michael McLeod after teams expressed interest in the 25-year-old center.
Nichols clarified his report the following day after the Devils denied McLeod was available. He indicated that his sources maintain there is strong interest in the young forward, but that doesn't necessarily mean he's on the trade block.
