NHL Trade Deadline: Grading the Rangers, Devils, and Islanders moves
The New Jersey Devils have spent all year dealing with a series of roster issues and injuries. They boosted their playoff push by adding quality players at the NHL trade deadline.
NHL Trade Deadline Approach: Buy and win now
Traded For: F Michael Grabner (NYR), F Patrick Maroon (EDM)
Traded Away: D Yegor Rykov (NYR), F Joey Dudek (EDM), 2018 second-round pick (NYR), 2019 third-round pick (EDM)
Grade: B
The Devils already had to trade Adam Henrique earlier in the year. That was an outlier of a trade not like the others. It was needed at the time and makes little to no difference now.
But the Devils did not really fulfill many needs. They just went out and added good players in Michael Grabner and Patrick Maroon. Both players might not be in the black and red for the long-haul but they are definitely great pick-ups.
The Devils do not get an A because they traded a defensive prospect. They also worked with the Rangers, but that is just being petty.
New Jersey did have a solid deadline. They made a few moves earlier than Monday and then one on Monday. This is not GM Ray Shero’s first rodeo so he knew what he wanted to do.
The Devils were fortunate to have picks and prospects to give away after all the struggling seasons. The Devils are also fortunate because the deadline falls at a good time for them. NJ has been struggling lately as they wait for Cory Schneider to return.
Adding a few new guys does not disrupt the chemistry that much because they needed to change things up anyway.
The Devils did improve overall this deadline. They got good players and did not give up anything with tangible value.
They got solid players and bolstered a team waiting to finally end a playoff drought. Being buyers at the deadline must be nice to see for Devils fans.
Also, there is another certain Devil who once came from the Oilers through trade. He goes by the nickname “Hallsy” and that worked out just fine for them.
New Jersey met their deadline goals.
A solid B deadline grade is encouraging. Especially because the Devils are both winning now and still looking to keep a core together for the future.
Ideal job, Mr. Shero.