Sign Bunting. Bunting is a top tier player in drawing penalties. Drawing the 2nd most penalties in the league among all players, ahead of Mcdavid. Bunting is a highly underrated UFA who can shift momentum for his team with the way he plays. This is evident as Leafs have had franchise recording setting seasons over the last two seasons with Bunting on their top line. Next you want to sign an elite 3rd line centre. You have a lot of cap space, and it’s time to be aggressive. Sign Ryan O’ Reilly and solidify a shutdown 3rd line centred by Ryan O’ Reilly. He can play really well with players like Lazar, Haula, Palat, and a lot of these young players. So now, you have three elite centres. As well as other shutdown options for the bottom 6. It’s a truly strong offensive core, with all four lines looking really good. As for the defence, it’s probably not the smartest option to re-sign Ryan Graves, even though he’s a great option, the money should be saved towards re-signing Nemec and Hughes later on. Why not opt for a cheaper option in Marc Staal. Sign him to a short term deal, a shutdown veteran option who can play physical. He can play really well with one of the rookie defensemen. Then figure out the most important position of all, the position that can make or break a team. Goaltending, and who is better than Connor Hellebuyck. Easily the best goalie available on a market. For Jesper Bratt and Vita Vanacek. Hellebuyck would come as a steal, even as a rental. He is a player that can put a team on his shoulders when they aren’t playing the best. A player who can steal big games. Just imagine what Hellebuyck would be capable of playing in New Jersey with a team of this magnitude of offensive and defensive talent. It really is a nightmare matchup for any team in the playoffs. A young, strong, and talented roster. Along with a superstar goalie. It’s truly something to behold. If the Devils are aggressive enough to flex their cap muscle this offseason and make some big moves. They could be unstoppable. It’s a prime time to go all in.
That Bratt trade is brutal. Devils pass hard. He's already locked down and he's 24....don't spend that where you are pot committed to an extension for a 31yr old goalie.
As brutal as these moves may seem, these moves will get you the Stanley Cup. Jesper Bratt is great, but he’s not going to be even half as impactful as Connor Hellebuyck for your team.