The New Jersey Devils are one of the clubs looking to clear cap space any way they can this season. The tight cap situation already cost them the opportunity to land Quinn Hughes. Despite that ship sailing away, the Devils still need to upgrade anyway they can.
The chatter has focused on the Devils clearing out some undesirable contracts. One such contract is veteran forward Ondrej Palat. Palat’s name has been at the forefront of trade rumors given his largely underwhelming production this season.
His two goals and seven points in 34 games figure to place him at career-lows. As such, his $6 million cap hit weighs heavily on the team. That’s the main reason why he landed on The Athletic’s Trade Board 2.0.
As the analysis on the said Trade Board noted:
“The Devils desperately need to clear out some cap space in order to make roster upgrades, and Palat’s contract is at the top of the list to go. He remains a reasonably responsible complementary winger, but his rate of production has plummeted. That’s a problem for the Devils because of a $6 million cap hit that runs through the end of next season.”
The cap hit, plus his no-movement clause and 10-team no-trade list, make him an anchor on the team. Sure, he’s still very much a useful player, but not at $6 million. Moreover, the issue is not the money itself; it’s the shackles that come with the Devils’ tight cap situation.
Unless the Devils can find a trade partner, the club may have no choice but to keep Palat for one more season.
Palat Could Still Be a Serviceable Trade Piece
Despite the evident limitations that come with Palat’s current contract, Palat could still offer some value. The Trade Board noted:
“Palat has already been paid the majority of the money owed on a heavily front-loaded contract and should still have some value for those swimming in cap space because of his extensive big-game experience and low-maintenance approach.”
A rebuilding team, much like the Devils were when they signed him, could find some value in landing Palat. However, the Trade Board points out that Palat’s contract has a market value of $2.4 million. That number comes on top of a -4.1 Net Rating and a +0.1 offensive rating.
Those numbers may turn off some suitors for Palat, despite his extensive postseason experience.
Devils May Have to Settle for Practically Nothing in Palat Trade
If the Devils are adamant about not retaining salary on Palat’s contract, they may have to settle for virtually nothing in return. The best they could hope for would be a late-round pick.
It’s worth pointing out that the biggest benefit the Devils would get from trading Palat is cap space. GM Tom Fitzgerald will need to use some of his magic to find a trade partner willing to take on Palat’s contract.
Moving Palat will be a necessary move if the Devils are to improve this season. Otherwise, New Jersey could be hamstrung the next couple of seasons as contracts come off the books.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Devils Trade Candidate Is Anchor for Team appeared first on Heavy Sports.