How Could the World Juniors Affect NCAA Players? Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MTk0NDE2ODYxNDk5MTA2ODIx/usatsi_19521768.jpg] 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 [https://nypost.com/2022/12/10/devils-have-right-assets-to-make-deadline-splash-for-playoff-push/] 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 [https://www.capfriendly.com/teams/devils] 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 [https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/new-jersey-devils/line-combinations/]. 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.
