After missing the playoffs last season, the New Jersey Devils fired general manager Tom Fitzgerald. They replaced him with former Florida Panthers assistant GM Sunny Mehta, who traded starting goaltender Jacob Markstrom to the Panthers last month.
Moving Markstrom freed up $6 million in salary-cap space, but left the Devils with backups Jake Allen, Nico Daws, and David Rittich as their goalies. Some observers suggested they could target Connor Hellebuyck of the Winnipeg Jets, but there’s no certainty he’d waive his no-movement clause to join the Devils.
Mehta could start the regular season with his current goaltending trio; however, if they can’t get the job done, it could cost the Devils a playoff berth. That could force the New Jersey GM into the trade market for a starter with championship experience, such as Jordan Binnington of the St. Louis Blues.
Binnington is a year away from unrestricted free-agent status. The Blues could start the season with the 32-year-old goalie sharing the duties with Joel Hofer, but they could be ready to move him before next year’s trade deadline. He could be a fit with the Devils if they’re not on his 10-team no-trade list.