The Stanley Cup Final is officially underway. What a great series that will be. However, the offseason is in full swing for the majority of the league. New coaches are in place as well as new managers. It will be a wild off-season. Once the new league year begins, many faces will end up in new places. One of those players is Damon Severson. Today we focus on the New Jersey Devils defenseman.
Could The Devils Trade Severson’s Signing Rights
Rumour: Elliote Friedman on 32 Thoughts discusses the trading of Damon Severson’s signing rights
Elliotte Friedman said during the 2nd intermission that the #NJDevils could trade Damon Severson’s negotiating rights.
(H/T @Wakes3019)
— Alex Chauvancy (@AlexC_THW) June 4, 2023
It is a rare sight, but it is not impossible either. The last we saw this was with the New York Rangers trading for Barclay Goodrow. Goodrow did end up signing a long-term deal. The days in New Jersey are numbered for long-time defensemen Damon Severson. Drafting Simon Nemec second overall, helped cement that decision. It does remain to be seen if Nemec is ready, but the given log jam poses a problem. Not to mention getting Timo Meier and Jesper Bratt locked up is top priority. Signing Severson long-term does not make sense given having Nemec in the pipeline. However, it could make sense for multiple teams needing help on the backend.
Why Trade For His Rights
Trading for his signing rights gives your team the chance to land him. The ability to block out the rest of the league and risk being outbid. Damon Severson will be a heavily coveted asset this off-season. If New Jersey does not intend to sign him, it would be great to get something for him.
Severson is coming off a successful season for the Devils. Primarily playing on the third pair, he provided the necessary depth that made him great. Among the pairs he was on, the ranked in the top ten in terms of expected goals against per 60 minutes. Shot suppression was something New Jersey did well. In addition, the pair of Kevin Bahl and Damon Severson had the best-expected goals for per 60 minutes. When on the ice, Severson had the fifth-best expected goals for (105.83). His ability to continuously provide offence was noticeable on the ice.
No matter who goes and gets Damon Severson is getting a good player with a well-rounded game.
Main Photo: Danny Wild-USA TODAY Sports
