June 4, 2024 | 11:50am ET
TheFourthPeriod.com
DEVILS OPEN TO TRADING 10TH OVERALL PICK
Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald
The New Jersey Devils are looking to improve their roster for next season and GM Tom Fitzgerald is willing to explore all his options this summer.
Speaking to NHL.com on Monday, Fitzgerald admitted that even the team’s 10th overall pick in this month’s NHL Draft is up for grabs if the right offer presents itself.
“If we feel it helps us now and in the foreseeable future, then, yes, I’m listening," Fitzgerald said from the NHL Scouting Combine. “I haven’t gotten anything yet but the more I talk to teams, I say ‘Listen, I’m open to moving No. 10, but it’s going to have to be something (significant).’”
The Devils have been in the market for a No.1 goaltender since mid-season and while he added veteran Jake Allen between the pipes, the team is still on the lookout for a true starter.
During the season, the Devils were close to acquiring Jacob Markstrom from the Calgary Flames. As TFP’s David Pagnotta was first to report at the time, Markstrom was willing to waive his no-movement clause to got to the Devils, but the trade fell through reportedly due to Calgary’s unwillingness to retain salary.
The Devils are expected to resume talks with Calgary this month, if they haven’t already begun those discussions. At the time, it is believed that young forward Alexander Holtz was part of the package New Jersey had presented Calgary.
Fitzgerald also expressed interest in Nashville Predators goalie Juuse Saros and Boston Bruins netminder Linus Ullmark during the season.
“I’m in the goalie market talking to teams, but there’s a ‘but’ and the ‘but’ is how do we want to build our team,” Fitzgerald said. “We’d like to add up front, we’d like to add on the back end, so what are those pieces going to cost us. With the goaltending, what’s that going to cost us?
“Does the No. 10 pick get you that type of player that you can add to the group. It’s easy to say, ‘Go get so-and-so and then you build from there.’ But there are some guys who have different contracts so how are those players going to reprice at. There’s a lot to it, but, yes, the focus is on finding that goaltender.”
Fitzgerald admitted that next season “has to be” the year the team takes the next step towards Stanley Cup contender, and he aims to assist by adding to his club.
The Devils have just over $18.8 million in salary cap space for next season.