The NHL free agency period opens Wednesday, July 28. The Devils are loaded with cap space at roughly $31.5 million, the third most in the league (Detroit, Buffalo), and general manager Tom Fitzgerald has been given the greenlight to do whatever he can to improve his team.
Here's a look ahead at some of the potential free agents hitting the market that may be of interest to the Devils.
2021 Free Agency I BLOG
Here's a look ahead at some of the potential free agents hitting the market that may be of interest to the Devils.
Tyson Barrie, D
Barrie is an intriguing player. He's a dominant force on the power play. He posted eight goals and 48 points last season, with 27 of those coming on the man-advantage. His defensive play was up and down, as was that of the entire Oilers team. The right-hand shot would fill a need on New Jersey's right side and give the team more balance on the back end.
Blake Coleman, W
What a story Coleman has been for the past few years, winning two Stanley Cups with Tampa Bay, scoring clutch goals and becoming a dad. Obviously, Devils fans are familiar with the type of game Coleman would (re)bring to New Jersey. His performance will no doubt up his asking price, but a return to New Jersey would also be quite a nice story.
Nick Foligno, F
Foligno could be an asset in the Devils locker room, a veteran presence and leader to help the young corps continue to grow and mature. Though, at 33, Foligno is probably more likely to seek a Cup contender as his career winds down.
Mikael Granlund, W
Granlund is a skilled winger that could mesh with one of the Devils' star centers. But he can also be a swing player, working center if needed. He's potted 20-plus goals on two occasions, so the hands are there. He never quite found his game in Nashville, but he still has plenty of potential.
Philipp Grubauer, G
The Devils would like to add a companion to goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood. A Blackwood-Grubauer duo would be one heck of a 1-2 punch. Grubauer has all the talent in the world and proved his ability as a No. 1 with Colorado. In New Jersey, both players would push each other in a true battle to be the man. That competition will result in both players stepping up their respective games.
Dougie Hamilton, D
Hamilton will likely be the most sought-after free agent to hit the market. He's the rare combination of size (6-foot-6, 229 pound) and ridiculous skill. He's a right-shot defenseman that has scored more goals in the last four seasons (59) than any other blueliner in the NHL, and that includes missing time with an injury. It's very rare that a defenseman of Hamilton's caliber hits the free agent market, and there will be a lot of suitors lining up for his services.
Gabriel Landeskog, W
Landeskog is a perfect blend of skill and strength. The perennial All-Star can fill the net and light up the score sheet but will also play physical when needed. And he's a true leader, evidenced by his captaincy for the past nine seasons. He was the youngest player to be named captain at the time at just 19 years old and lived up to the billing. Though he expressed a desire to remain in Colorado, it may come down to the final hours before a deal is done. If not, he could be a great linemate for either Jack Hughes or Nico Hischier.
Ryan Murray, D
Murray showed his value last season, and what he brings to the table. It was Murray's first season playing fully healthy. He filled a serviceable role on the club and has moments where he really shined. That doesn't mean he didn't have his struggles at times, as did the entire club.
Kyle Palmieri, W
Speaking of returns, Palmieri enjoyed a lot of success with the New York Islanders after he was dealt by the Devils prior to the trade deadline. Though Palmieri, a perennial 30-goal scorer, only posted two goals in 17 games to finish the regular season, he exploded in the playoffs with seven tallies and helped the Islanders reach the conference final. A return ticket to New Jersey isn't out of the question.
Zach Parise, W
Parise is certainly not the player he was in his prime. But now that he's no longer lugging around his hefty Minnesota contract, he becomes much more appealing. Parise is willing to take a lower-paying deal, and it would be a nice story if the 37-year-old returned to New Jersey to help nurture the next generation of Devils stars.
Brandon Saad, W
Saad is an intriguing piece. He's still relatively young at 28 years old, and still has a lot left in the tank. He plays fast - a great fit for the Devils system - is responsible defensively and can still chip in some goals. Not to mention he knows how to win, as his name is on the Stanley Cup twice.
Ryan Suter, D
It's true that Suter is up there in age (36) and not nearly the dominant force he was a decade ago, but he still has something to offer at the right price. The 16-year NHL veteran has nearly 1,200 games of experience and is a career plus-105. He can't log the 30 minutes per game of his prime, but he still can hit the 22 range and contribute offensively.
Linus Ullmark, G
All things considered, Ullmark's numbers the past three seasons on a bad Buffalo team are very respectable. And he passes the eye test. Ullmark actually plays better than his numbers suggest. His presence would give the Devils the 1a-1b tandem that they seek in goal.
Other free agents of note: Forwards Tomas Tatar, Paul Stastny, Mike Hoffman, Phillip Danault, defensemen Alex Goligoski, Mike Reilly, David Savard, Keith Yandle and goaltender Petr Mrazek, Jarslav Halak, Jonathan Bernier.
