The New Jersey Devils have a large volume of prospects and a young roster. With so many players available, some will undoubtedly make sense as trade bait over waiting if they grow into NHL players.
The New Jersey Devils find themselves in a fascinating phase of their franchise’s history. Many of their top players are either just reaching their primes or still developing. Among their roster are four top-five draft picks aged between 20 and 25. Additionally, they have stars like Jesper Bratt (26), Timo Meier (27), and Dawson Mercer (22), who would likely be top-10 selections in a hypothetical redraft today.
This situation gives the Devils a strong position regarding their prospect pool, allowing them to be patient and let younger players develop at their own pace. However, this often leads to the team trading formerly promising players for less than their true worth, as seen with Reilly Walsh and Tyce Thompson. The Devils opted not to wait and instead traded them for other prospects at different positions.
Before their top prospects lose value, it may be wise for the Devils to consider trading them for high-quality NHL talent. They are currently in a Stanley Cup contention window, as demonstrated by their trade for Jacob Markstrom, and are aiming for a fourth Stanley Cup in New Jersey, which these three prospects could help facilitate.
Here are three prospects the New Jersey Devils could potentially use in trades:
- Chase Stillman
Chase Stillman, a first-round pick that surprised many when the Devils selected him in 2021, was taken 29th overall in the Kyle Palmieri-Travis Zajac deal. With the selection of Luke Hughes earlier in that draft, the Devils felt comfortable taking a risk on Stillman. However, many fans were hoping for Logan Stankoven, who surprisingly went undrafted for another 17 picks.
In his rookie season with Utica, Stillman scored 14 goals and recorded 24 points in 54 games—a respectable start for a pro debut. However, his value may have diminished with the emergence of Paul Cotter, who is a more established player at 24 years old.
Given Stillman’s first-round pedigree and AHL scoring ability, he still holds potential value. Whether that translates to NHL success remains uncertain, but there’s still hope yet to be realized. Ultimately, these prospects represent potential and optimism.
- Herman Traff
Herman Traff is a recent addition to the Devils organization, having been selected with the 91st overall pick last season. As a large right winger, he embodies the team’s new strategy of increasing size throughout their prospect pool. There’s potential for Traff to develop into a valuable player.
He already gained some experience in professional hockey by playing 10 games in the SHL last season, and many anticipate he’ll see more action in the upcoming season. Interestingly, he may find himself playing alongside former Devils first-round pick Matias Tedenby.
Traff has shown promise with some impressive performances. He’s expected to contribute to Team Sweden’s U20 squad and is a candidate for the World Juniors in January. He also excelled at the Devils’ development camp, which has attracted attention.
The Devils should consider trading Traff, as his value is likely to rise significantly this season. However, he seems to be focusing on aspects of his game other than his greatest strengths. While he’s a talented passer who could potentially reach 60 points, he’s currently prioritizing scoring in Sweden. While that’s beneficial, developing his best assets is crucial for his success in the NHL. This adjustment is straightforward, but it raises the question of whether the Devils will prioritize it. Traff has the potential to excel in the NHL, making him an intriguing prospect for trade consideration.
- Seamus Casey
This may not sit well with Devils fans, but it’s important to clarify that this conversation involves a valuable player. This isn’t about discarding Seamus Casey for a bottom-six player or a depth defenseman. Casey is already demonstrating impressive offensive skills, having tallied 45 points as the leading defenseman for the University of Michigan, where he filled the role vacated by Luke Hughes. He’s now signed with the Devils and is expected to play for Utica this season.
His offensive abilities should translate well to the pro level. Casey has all the qualities you’d want in an offensive defenseman.
However, a key concern is his fit within the Devils’ lineup. The team currently has both Dougie Hamilton and Brett Pesce signed for the next four seasons (six for Pesce), and behind them is Simon Nemec, a former second-overall pick. These right-handed defensemen are established for the foreseeable future, and the left side of the defense is also solidified.
The Devils face a dilemma: they could force Casey into a left-side role, wait for an injury to create an opportunity (likely after this season, since Nick DeSimone and Jonathan Kovacevic are already on the roster and both are right-handed), or explore a transition to forward. All three scenarios seem unlikely or largely beyond his control. The most viable option appears to be a trade, as teams would be eager to acquire a right-handed player with offensive prowess like Casey.
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