It should be a busy off-season for the New Jersey Devils. General manager Tom Fitzgerald was honest following the team's short playoff run that he will be making changes to the Devils' roster this summer because he felt the team was not good enough.
Due to this, one clear area that Fitzgerald could look to improve is the Devils' top six. It is apparent that they could use another top-six winger specifically, and the Pittsburgh Penguins have an intriguing option to consider in Bryan Rust.
Rust, 33, has been creating plenty of chatter in the rumor mill this summer. It is understandable, as the Penguins are rebuilding their group, and Rust's full no-movement clause expires on July 1. Thus, the Penguins will have the freedom to move him without any potential restrictions once we get to the start of next month.
When looking at the season Rust just put together, it is clear that he would be a major addition to the Devils' top six if acquired. In 71 games, the 5-foot-11 winger set new career highs with 31 goals and 65 points. With numbers like these, he could be a great fit on the Devils' second line with Timo Meier and Nico Hischier and would work on their power play. Furthermore, due to his solid defensive play, he would offer the Devils another option for their penalty kill.
Another very appealing factor about Rust is that he has a bargain $5.125 million cap hit until the end of the 2027-28 season. Thus, he would be more than a one-year rental for the Devils if acquired this off-season, which would be a major plus.
Overall, with the Devils needing more skill and offensive production, bringing in a player like Rust would certainly be significant for them. It will be intriguing to see if they end up making a push for him from here.
Devils Should Boost Top Six By Signing Fascinating Forward
The <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-jersey-devils">New Jersey Devils </a>should be on the hunt for a top-six forward this off-season, and there are some intriguing pending unrestricted free agents (UFAs) who could hit the market on July 1. Thus, the Devils should have some options to consider.
Photo Credit: © Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images