The New Jersey Devils are at a crossroads heading into the NHL Trade Deadline. The organization believes it has the core to make the playoffs, but the results are just not there. That’s why it seems like the only way out is to shake up the team’s core.

The only way to do that is to send a major message at this year’s trade deadline.

In a new report by RG Media, veteran sports journalist James Murphy discussed what sources call a move to shake up the core. Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald is looking to send a message with hopes of spurring a turnaround.

“He wants to make a trade that, of course, he believes will address a major need and make his team better, but also send a message to his players that going forward, unless you have control of if and where you get traded to, you’re not safe. “

If the source proves correct, only a handful of players without any sort of trade protection could be on the block. It’s worth pointing out that Jack Hughes does not have any trade protection this season. Next year, however, a 10-team no-trade clause will kick in.

But surely the Devils won’t contemplate trading Hughes?

Under that assumption, the main target becomes Dawson Mercer. According to Murphy’s sources, the Devils have been getting calls about Mercer’s availability. But Fitzgerald would rather start from the outside in.

Devils want to move impending free agents

The Devils would like to start by moving players set to become UFAs this summer. That situation points directly to Evgenii Dadonov and Luke Glendening. While it makes sense to move soon-to-be-free agents, doing so won’t really be the sort of trade that Fitzgerald is targeting.

In particular, Murphy’s source highlighted one trade that could be what Fitzgerald is looking to pull off.

“Look at last trade deadline and the [Dylan] Cozens for [Josh] Norris trade. Who saw that coming? Neither dressing room did, I’ll tell you that, and when Norris has been healthy, that’s been a good trade for both teams.”

The fact is that’s a fine needle to thread. Who could the Devils move to recreate a similar effect? Could someone like Nico Hischier serve that purpose? What about Jesper Bratt?

All of these players have trade protection. So, they won’t be going anywhere unless it’s to a team of their liking. And even if they agreed to a deal, what could the Devils get back? It seems the Devils are stuck in a situation where the best they can hope for is adding around the fringes.

There’s always the possibility that someone steps up and takes Dougie Hamilton’s cap hit on. That might be enough to entice Hamilton to waive his no-trade clause. But that’s still a major if.