This is part two of a three-part series covering the different goaltending options for the New Jersey Devils for the 2023-24 season.
The New Jersey Devils have conquered the 2023 off-season, but what about goaltending? They solidified their forward core in both the short and long term and rounded out their defensive unit. The last pillar to potentially take down is goaltending. We recently went over the Devils internal options for the 2023-24 season, but trade rumours have been swirling. If there is a big-name goalie on the market, the Devils have been linked to them.
High-End Acquisition
There are a couple of routes the Devils could go if they wanted to acquire a new goalie. One of which is bringing in an elite-level netminder. Teams rarely move on from these types of goalies, but a few big names have popped up in trade rumours.
Connor Hellebuyck
The former Vezina trophy winner is the hot name on the trade market and seemingly the Devils top choice. No team has been linked with the 30-year-old more than New Jersey. Hellebuyck has been an elite starter in this league for many years now and would propel the Devils from cup contenders to cup favourites.
Connor Hellebuyck isn't interested in signing an extension with the Winnipeg Jets, according to @TheAthleticNHL. There is no doubt that Hellebuyck has been a TOP5 goalie in the NHL for a few years already. His value should be high although he can become an UFA next year. pic.twitter.com/eBFbqjedPV
— Andy & Rono (@ARHockeyStats) June 11, 2023
However, trade talk for Hellebuyck has recently cooled, with Seravalli reporting that the Winnipeg Jets are having trouble drumming up interest. Despite his elite play, a trade for Hellebuyck doesn’t make a lot of sense for the Devils long term. The ask in a trade is likely astronomical. Any trade would likely include a contract extension. A high AAV on a long-term deal for a goalie turning 31 typically turns sour rather quickly. There could be more of an appetite to acquire him as a pure rental if the ask in a trade is significantly lowered, but there has been no sign that’s the case.
Linus Ullmark or Jeremy Swayman
The Boston Bruins are in salary cap hell right now. After a historic season, they look set to take a potential massive step back. A big reason why is the possibility of having to move a goalie. While they still have slightly less than $5.5 million in cap space, they are missing serious offensive firepower. If they decide to go with Pavel Zacha and Charlie Coyle as their 1C and 2C then this is a moot point. Although, that would likely be a nightmare scenario and would see them slip down the standings significantly.
🚨 LINUS ULLMARK 🚨
WE HAVE A GOALIE GOAL. 🤯 pic.twitter.com/ym7OLU0jlU
— NHL (@NHL) February 26, 2023
Both Bruins goalies have been in trade rumours since the end of the season. Ullmark is coming off of a wildly impressive year that saw him win the Vezina. He registered a 1.89 goals-against average and a .938 save percentage but is also making a healthy $5 million per season for two more years. As for Swayman, the 24-year-old is coming off of another impressive season, posting a 2.27 goals-against average and a .920 save percentage. Swayman is an RFA with an arbitration date set for July 30th. The two sides with likely reach a deal before then, but if his ask is that of a starting goalie, then Boston could look to move him.
Jeremy Swayman and Trent Frederic have both filed for salary arbitration.
Can the Boston Bruins afford to pay both of them with the cap space they have left? @NickGismondi | @Rupper17 | #NHLBruins | #NHLTonight pic.twitter.com/cZgjgPK5SM
— NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) July 9, 2023
Because of age, a trade for Swayman would likely cost much more than a trade for Ullmark. For the Devils, it would be a price worth paying. At still such a young age, Swayman has put up tremendous numbers and could become an elite number-one netminder if given the opportunity. Swayman would be a smarter target than Ullmark for longevity purposes, despite Ullmark’s tremendous season.
Juuse Saros
It seems unlikely that the Nashville Predators would move on from a goalie of Saros’s ability, but crazier things have happened during a regime change. Barry Trotz is now running the show in Nashville, and a decision will have to be made soon on Saros. He has been an elite goalie for the past few seasons, and with two years left on his deal, now would be the time to sell high. The question has to become whether Nashville should go all in with Saros, or deal him and let top prospect Yaroslav Askarov take over.
The @PredsNHL have the JUUUUUSE 🧃
Juuse Saros keeps his cool to get the @pepsi shutout. pic.twitter.com/mTXO3YZBkl
— NHL (@NHL) April 7, 2023
Any trade for goaltending like Saros would likely force the New Jersey Devils to give up a haul of players, picks, and prospects. But in return, they would get a top-five goalie for two cup runs at a modest $5 million AAV. Any subsequent extension would likely cost the Devils at least $7 million AAV, and probably more. He is probably the unlikeliest of goalies on this list to be moved, but there has been enough chatter to bring up his name. However, the cost of a trade would likely include multiple high-end picks and prospects. It may be smart for Fitzgerald to look elsewhere if that is the case.
Main Photo: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA Today Sports
