January 31, 2024 | 9:46am ET
TheFourthPeriod.com

DEVILS CONTINUE TO EXPLORE DEFENSIVE MARKET

Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald

The New Jersey Devils are among the teams still looking to bolster their blueline before the March 8 trade deadline.

Currently six points back of the final wildcard spot in the Eastern Conference, with two games in hand, the Devils have been riddled with injuries all season but remain hopeful for post-season play.

Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald continues to explore the trade market for upgrades on the backend and remains interested in the likes of Calgary Flames defenceman Chris Tanev and Noah Hanifin, among others.

As reported by TFP’s David Pagnotta on Monday during “On The Fly” on NHL Network, the Devils have also poked around on Philadelphia Flyers defenceman Sean Walker, who is expected to be moved ahead of the deadline despite Philadelphia’s current playoff positioning.

The Devils have significant salary cap space to play with given Dougie Hamilton’s LTIR status, giving Fitzgerald plenty of flexibility to maneuver with if he chooses to make moves over the next five weeks.

New Jersey has also been linked to the goaltending market, though a move for clear-cut No.1 netminder might not be in the cards until the off-season. However, as Pagnotta previous noted on SiriusXM NHL Network Radio earlier this month, if the Devils pull off a move for a goaltender with term, they are likely to send Vitek Vanecek back in any major move.