December 19, 2023 | 7:45pm ET
TheFourthPeriod.com
DEVILS COULD MAKE BIG SPLASH THIS SEASON
Dougie Hamilton, defenceman
The New Jersey Devils have not had quite the first third of the season they originally anticipated, but with the club sitting one point out of a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, GM Tom Fitzgerald might be in a position to make a big move to improve his club and their post-season chances.
With word coming out this month that star defenceman Dougie Hamilton is likely going to miss the rest of the regular-season recovering from surgery for a torn left pectoral muscle, the Devils could place him on LTIR and use his $9 million salary cap hit to add to their roster.
The Devils have already been scouring the defensive and goaltending markets – and remain linked to Anaheim Ducks netminder John Gibson – and that could be one area of the club Fitzgerald looks to upgrade this season.
During Tuesday’s edition of “Insider Trading” on TSN, Pierre LeBrun reported the Devils may be willing to add multiple pieces this season by taking advantage of their cap situation.
“They don’t have a firm timeline, but my understanding is he’s probably out until the playoffs, until perhaps late April, early May,” LeBrun said. “The flip side to that is that means they have a $9 million cap hit to play with ahead of the March 8 trade deadline and that’s the intention from the New Jersey Devils to likely be aggressive if they improve in the standings.”
“They’ve already been doing their due diligence on the D market, but they could also potentially add a goalie. They could add a couple of players that can help that roster with that $9 million.”
A major move prior to the New Year may seem unlikely right now, especially with the NHL’s holiday roster freeze set to take effect tonight at 11:59pm local time, expiring on Dec. 28 at 12:01am local time, but Fitzgerald has been exploring his options.
In addition to Gibson, Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Elvis Merzlikins, Montreal Canadiens netminder Jake Allen and Chicago Blackhawks veteran Petr Mrazek are among the other goalies believed to be available.