Devils should consider targeting defensive depth via trade

Alex Chauvancy suggests with multiple regulars going down, and some internal options still in need of seasoning, adding a veteran defenseman could be beneficial.

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By Alex Chauvancy (@AlexC_THW)

Injuries are an unavoidable part of an 82-game season. To this point, the New Jersey Devils have mostly avoided significant injuries to their roster other than Ondrej Palát and Nathan Bastian. And the former appears set to return to the lineup very shortly. 

However, ahead of yesterday's tilt against the Boston Bruins, Devils head coach Lindy Ruff provided some injury updates. He mentioned Ryan Graves would be seeing team’s doctors to evaluate a lower-body injury he suffered against the Florida Panthers earlier in the week. To make matters worse, Ruff also indicated that John Marino would be out week-to-week with an upper-body injury. 

Amanda Stein @amandacstein

John Marino is week-to-week, per #NJDevils Lindy Ruff

In just 24 hours, the Devils lost their second pair. Though we're still awaiting a timeline on Graves, it didn't look good; he crawled toward the bench and needed help getting off the ice. Meanwhile, Marino was logging minutes against tough competition, so his absence will be felt.  

The Devils will try to fill the void internally for the time being; they've called up Nikita Okhotiuk from the Utica Comets and have him paired alongside Kevin Bahl. But even if they fare well, Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald should consider strengthening the team's defensive depth since they have the third-hardest schedule remaining. 

Devils prospects get first crack

Before getting into who the Devils could target via the rental market, it's worth noting that some of the team's prospects deserve a chance to show they belong. It starts with Okhotiuk, who had a cup of coffee with the Devils last season. Though he doesn't have much in the way of puck skills, he plays a heavy game and will be a shit disturber when he needs to be. He had an 88.7 expected goals percentage against the Bruins last night, so his first test went very well. 

If there is one benefit to the Devils' injuries along the blue line right now, it's that Bahl will get an extended run. He's only appeared in eight games this season, but his 66.04 expected goals percentage ranks fourth on the team. He has played alongside Okhotiuk with the Comets so pairing those two together, for now, makes sense. 

But don't be surprised if Bahl gets some work alongside Damon Severson too. They've only played about 41 minutes together but their results are quite good. They own a 64.93 expected goals percentage as a pair and have held teams to only five high-danger chances. Although a small sample, they are a duo I'd like to see Ruff use a bit more. 

There are also a couple of prospects still with the Comets that could be options, most notably Reilly Walsh and Šimon Nemec. Walsh is in his third season with the Comets, and while he would need sheltered minutes in the NHL, pairing him alongside a defensively responsible Brendan Smith or Bahl should help. 

The Devils didn't draft Nemec second overall to remain in the AHL all season long. He's currently with Slovakia for the World Junior Championship, but I wouldn't be surprised if he gets a call-up at some point after he returns from the WJC. If these players prove themselves in the NHL, then making a trade for a rental might not be necessary. Still, if the Devils are in a playoff spot by the trade deadline, adding more defensive depth wouldn't hurt. 

What rentals could the Devils target?