One of the main areas that the New Jersey Devils are looking to improve this summer is their forward group. It is understandable, as they need more offensive production throughout their lineup.
However, it has now been reported that the Devils have already missed out on one of their off-season targets.
According to The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun, the Devils were one of the teams in the mix for Jonathan Toews before he signed with the Winnipeg Jets on a one-year deal earlier this month.
Hearing that the Devils were interested in Toews is not shocking in the slightest. It is no secret that the Devils could use more depth at the center, and they notably have an opening at their 3C spot after trading Erik Haula. Thus, Toews would have been a nice addition to the Devils' roster, but they will need to explore their options elsewhere.
A few pending unrestricted free agent (UFA) centers who could hit the market on July 1 include Mikael Granlund, Jack Roslovic, and Pius Suter. Sam Bennett is also a pending UFA, but the expectation is that he will end up re-signing with the Florida Panthers.
Nevertheless, it will be interesting to see what players the Devils bring in this off-season, but they already have swung and missed with Toews.
Devils Can't Let Goalie Leave In Free Agency
The <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-jersey-devils">New Jersey Devils</a> have multiple pending free agents with the summer. Goaltender Jake Allen is one of their most notable ones, as the veteran will become an unrestricted free agent (UFA) on July 1 if the Devils do not re-sign him by then.
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