What are the Devils next moves?

Free agency in the NHL started about a week ago and during that time, the Devils have not been too busy, but general manager Tom Fitzgerald has yet to make any announcements saying they are done.

Fitzgerald has made the key moves everyone expected, locking up forwards Jesper Bratt and Timo Meier. He also added forward Tyler Toffoli in a trade with Calgary, sending Yegor Sharangovich and a draft pick back the other way. With these moves, the Devils have their top six forwards ready for next season.

However, the bottom six are only partially ready. Last season, the Devils' bottom six was successful in what they were there for. The fourth line consisted of Miles Wood, Mike McLeod, and Nathan Bastian. McLeod and Bastian were brought back on extensions, but Wood signed a lengthy contract with the Colorado Avalanche, opening up a spot on the third line. Head coach Lindy Ruff was constantly mixing up the third line, but with Jesper Boqvist and Yegor Sharangovich gone, more question marks are left behind.

Many fans speculated forward Alexander Holtz would have broken into the NHL by now. Holtz was predicted to be a top-six goal-scoring winger, but he has yet to move to New Jersey. Putting Holtz in a bottom-six position will not only diminish his playing time but most likely will not be a place where he can excel.

Over the past few seasons, forward Nolan Foote has bounced between the AHL and the NHL. Due to having a large prospect pool and everyday NHL players, Foote has yet to get the best opportunity to showcase his playing abilities. He could slot into one of the openings in the bottom six if given the opportunity.

Last season forward Curtis Lazar joined the team. After a long process of joining the team, he did not see the ice every game. Typically Lazar would join the fourth line and Wood would be taken out. It would then rotate back to Wood being brought back in after a few games. Lazar would be a good choice to complete the fourth line, as he played some games with them last season and created chemistry. However, the line would have a different grit and speed than it did with Wood on the team.

The players remaining from the team's bottom six last year are Ondre Palat, Haula, McLeod, and Bastian, leaving two line up spots open.

If none of the three players from within the organization work out, the Devils will have to look to sign some players. But the Devils do have to be cautious of their remaining cap space.

Ex-Devil Zach Parise, a fan favorite, is a UFA and would make the perfect depth guy. Unfortunately, Parise said if he signed another contract, it would only be for the New York Islanders before last season ended. Knowing how loved he was in his time in Jersey, fans are hoping the Devils are an exception to that. The Devils could sign him to a one-year contract, giving him one more chance to make a deep playoff run, and it would give the Devils' prospects more time to develop.

Another player that has been looked at is another ex-Devil, Adam Henrique. Henrique is a very popular name around the Devils fan base as he is known for the overtime series-winning goal against the New York Rangers in 2012, sending the Devils to the Stanley Cup Finals. He is currently with the Anaheim Ducks and has one remaining year left on his contract. He could be the perfect fit for the third line, joining Haula and Palat.

Since cap space is limited, the Devils might have to look at players like Max Comtois from Anaheim. Comtois is a young forward who could slot into a bottom-six position. He was selected 50th overall in the 2017 NHL Draft. Although he does not put up points, if he can gain chemistry with McLeod and Bastian, the fourth line will return to a line of big bodies, speed, and grit.

The last thing the Devils could do is sign a goalie. Some speculate that the Devils have been in talks with Connor Hellebuyck of the Winnipeg Jets. Hellebuyck has proven to be an elite goaltender in this league and has recently requested a trade from the Jets. Since he is an aging goalie, signing him long-term at a high rate is a risky move, one the Devils most likely want to avoid making. Also, the Devils should not be looking to give up some key prospects, which they likely would have to do. If the Devils could get him to sign at a lower AAV for a short-term extension and not have to get rid of key prospects, there is no reason to dislike this move.

Another goalie the Devils can look at is John Gibson from the Ducks. Rumors earlier this week said Gibson claimed he would not play another game for the Ducks, but those were proven false. But it is known that he may request a trade shortly. Like Hellebuyck, it all depends on what New Jersey would have to give up. Gibson does have four years left on his contract, so a new contract may not be necessary.

Development camp begins on July 10, where we will see if any prospects can make a case for making the roster. Fitzgerald will continue to work for the rest of the offseason.