Rebuild Prospective Part 2: Where do the Devils get what they need?

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Today’s post was written by C.J. TURTORO. You can find him on Twitter @CJTDevil.

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Yesterday, we looked at what the Devils need and we isolated “impact on shooting/conversion” and “defencemen” as two problem areas for the Devils.

Today, I’d like to look at a few UFAs to target this offseason that could feasibly fill these voids. To start, let’s go with one that addresses both.

Alec Martinez

At 33 years old, Alec Martinez is in the twilight of his career to be sure. But he’s still in the top 10-25% defencemen in value metrics over the past two seasons, he scores on 17% more of his shots than the average NHLer, and his impact on conversion has been positive in each of the past 4 years, netting a total of 4.78 goals over expected.  

In addition to being a natural fit for what we need, he’s a 12-year NHL veteran with 2 Stanley Cups and 7 years as a top-4 defender playing time on both PP and PK.

On a Devils team that is bereft of veteran leadership, and swung-and-missed hard on P.K. Subban, Alec Martinez could be a second shot at what that move intended to do. And, at 33 in a flat-cap league, he will likely not be able to command much term on the open market.

For a Devils team that is going to need help just to get to the cap floor, overpaying a veteran defender for ~2 years to see if he can plug a hole that’s been in our lineup for years is absolutely in the cards.

If the star of this defensive free agent class (Dougie Hamilton) re-signs with the Hurricanes as he’s expected to, Alec Martinez is not a bad consolation prize especially considering the smaller commitment. And, honestly, there’s not much after him. Like, maybe Michael Del Zotto? It’s not great news. Which is why the rest of my options listed will be forwards.

Mike Hoffman

Mike Hoffman is where you go if you want to sell out to address the narrow need of shooting. Mike Hoffman is one of the best shooters in the NHL, particularly on the powerplay, and is ass pretty much everywhere else. If you want to add genuin overall value to the Devils, adding Hoffman is not likely to be helpful. But if you want to convert more of the chances into goals for your own sheer sanity, Hoffman can help with that.

Nick Bonino

Another 30+ guy who fits our needs. He’s got a career shooting percentage over 12, is projected for a $4x4 contract and is still playing some of the best hockey of his career. Coincidentally, like Martinez, Bonino also plays in all three situations and has 12 years and two Cups of experience. He would likely serve as something of a Travis Zajac replacement that is more tailored to our needs. 

Of course, we could also re-sign the original model of Travis Zacjac if wanted. 

Brandon Saad

Longtime analytical darling, Brandon Saad has fallen somewhat into disuse in his current circumstance. On a stacked Colorado team, Saad is managing just 14 minutes a night. But what he lacks in volume, he makes up for with efficiency. He’s an above-average shooter who is having an amazing shooting season.

Judging by his on-ice impacts, he seems every bit the player he’s been throughout his career. Hopefully the season down in the depth chart will make him available at a discount, but even at the 4-year $5.5M Evolving-Hockey projects him at, he seems like a steal. He’d be a cost-effective, age-appropriate Palmieri-replacement. 

Of course, we could also re-sign the original model of Kyle Palmieri if we wanted.

numbers via Evolving-Hockey.com