How should the New Jersey Devils approach the deadline?

While the Devils are rumored to be heavily pursuing Jacob Markstrom, they might be better served waiting for a longer term solution in the off-season.

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By Tyler Cordell (@TylerCordellNHL)

After a more than disappointing 62 games from the New Jersey Devils, it is tough to say they should be doing anything other than selling.

With the deadline fast approaching, here are some thoughts on how they should approach the next few days.

The first thing I would like to see, and probably what should be the most obvious, is moving on from scoring winger Tyler Toffoli.

Toffoli has 26 goals and 44 points thus far and will become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season. Toffoli will be looking to cash in on what is likely to be the last big contract he will land in his career, which just doesn't fit in the Devils future plans; or shouldn't.

As far as a return goes for Toffoli, I believe the ask should be a 1st round pick. Depending on the market, or perhaps even retaining some salary, then that could come with a plus attached.

Next on the list is addressing the goaltending. The Devils have been heavily linked to Jacob Markstrom for a while now. Targeting Markstrom obviously depends on the cost. Knowing it may be Alexander Holtz, plus other futures, for a 34-year-old netminder, my hope is that the Devils do not go down this road.

While I understand Markstrom has been a consistently solid goaltender for close to a decade, I just do not love the window that this trade would give the Devils moving forward.

If the Devils are set on moving on from Holtz, they would be better served using him to get a younger starting goalie who could be available in the off-season such as Juuse Saros.

It was rumoured that the Nashville goalie had been available. After the Predators recent stretch of wins, I do not imagine they are looking to move Saros any longer.

If the Devils are going to make a gifted young player available like Holtz, they should use him to land a goalie of the future; not just the next couple of seasons. That’s best case scenario if they landed Markstrom.

Lastly, the addition of Kurtis MacDermid makes one veteran on the New Jersey Devils expendable, and that is Brendan Smith.

Smith is set to be a UFA at the end of this season. While there won't be a ton of interest, I am sure they could land a late pick for Smith as contenders look to add depth to their team prior to the deadline.

I also can't stand the thought of Simon Nemec watching in the stands while the team’s playoff chances dwindle.

The Devils are in a unique position coming into this trade deadline. It is very unusual to see a team with so much talent in this spot.

My belief is that they probably need to wait to address their glaring need in goal until the off-season when more options are available.

The lengthy wait to make a move at the head coaching position has likely already wasted this season, and Travis Green doesn't seem to be off to a roaring start with the decision to healthy scratch Nemec in his debut behind the bench.

The Devils still have their 1st round draft pick this season. With the position they're in now, I think they should keep the pick and Alexander Holtz through this year’s deadline.

A team with an elite core that is so young, like the Devils, may be smart to write off the year and make the necessary adjustments in the off-season.

It could be quite beneficial for the Devils to keep a longer term look and continue to build on what I still believe could become a dynasty.