Three depth forwards the New Jersey Devils should avoid in free agency

These three players carry red flags and are going to command more than they're worth.

Follow along on Twitter @ToddCordell | @InfernalAccess

Be sure to join the Discord channel to talk hockey with our writers and subscribers.

---

Free agency is less than three weeks away (no, seriously) and the New Jersey Devils – like every team – are likely to at least dip their toes into the waters.

I recently examined three depth forwards the Devils could, and perhaps should, target on the open market.

Today, we’re going to do a role reversal and highlight a few players to avoid.

W - Joel Armia
CapWages projection: $2.53M x 2

Joel Armia looks like a nice player to add to a bottom-6 on the surface.

He has averaged nearly 30 points per 82 games over the last two seasons and possesses a powerful shot that you don’t see in a lot of depth players.

He is also a strong penalty killer and one of the heaviest usage players in the league in that game state.

Unfortunately, there are plenty of red flags when you pop the hood.

Over the last two years, the Canadiens were worse off in terms of shots, chances, expected goals, and real ones with Armia on the ice at 5v5.

This year was especially bad. The Canadiens were outscored 41-25 and controlled only 42% of the xG share during Armia’s minutes.

He also scored goals – and generated shots on target – at the worst rates of his entire career during 5v5 play.

He’s 32, his 5v5 impacts are declining, his production is inefficient, he’s lost a step in terms of speed, and his microstat profile is horrendous. Pass.

W - Brandon Tanev
CapWages projection: $2.2M x 2