New Jersey Devils GM reveals what he's willing to move to make blockbuster trade

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Josh Tupper
June 4, 2024 (5:36 PM)

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One team to watch in the upcoming weeks is the New Jersey Devils, who might be trying to make a significant move in the trade market.

Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald recently spoke with Mike G. Morreale of NHL.com, stating that while he has informed teams that their 10th overall pick is available, a trade would need to provide a sizable return before they would contemplate giving it up.

""If we feel it helps us now and in the foreseeable future, then, yes, I'm listening," Fitzgerald told NHL.com's Mike G. Morreale on Monday. "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).'"

Fitzgerald continued by saying that finding a goaltender for his squad is his top objective. As of the now, the only goalie on their NHL roster with a contract through 2024�25 is Jake Allen. While Nico Daws, who just represented Canada at the World Championship, and Akira Schmid are restricted free agents, Kaapo Kahkonen and Keith Kinkaid are scheduled to be unrestricted free agents.

"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?"

He added, "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 re-price at? There's a lot to it, but, yes, the focus is on finding that goaltender."

Though names like Tristen Jarry of the Pittsburgh Penguins and Juuse Saros of the Nashville Predators have surfaced in rumors, the goalie market is still a bit of a mystery. Barring any signings in free agency this summer, they would both be good choices for the starting spot in New Jersey if they are both available, with Jake Allen serving as the backup.

Saros is the most sensible choice, particularly if the Devils are required to give up the 10th overall pick. With Yaroslav Askarov between the pipes for a spell, Saros is expendable for the Predators. The Devils might also consider Tristen Jarry, but it's not ideal to give up such a top draft pick to a team in your division.

As we head towards the NHL Entry Draft, action is expected to pick up on the trade market and it'll be very interesting to see what Tom Fitzgerald is able to do to address his goaltending situation.