Top Priorities for Devils Offseason

The New Jersey Devils are still feeling the effect from a rollercoaster of a season that saw a league worst 10-29-2 record at the halfway point to a huge run put together by the team to leave them four points out of the playoffs. After getting so close, the team hit a wall and fell back missing the playoffs for the first time since 1996. Many blame the coach, Ilya Kovalchuk's contract, Zach Parise's injury, Jamie Langenbrunner's attitude, and many other things. We will never surely know what derailed the Devils' season before it even began. 

What needs to be done to ensure that this talented roster plays to its potential next season?

1. Re-sign Zach Parise.

This is the obvious and most important task for GM Lou Lamoriello. Zach has been the best player for the Devils over his years with the organization and is a leader in the locker room. Some players are already assuming he will be the next captain of the team as well. Outside of the Devils, Parise has become a leader and figure of hockey in the United States. His game tying goal in the gold medal game of the 2010 olympics was the most memorable of his career so far and really put him on the map. Lamoriello should be looking to lock him up long term.

2. The Draft

The Devils won the draft lottery with a 3.6% chance of that happening so it was pretty lucky. With the win, they get the fourth overall pick in the entry draft in June. The most saught after players are said to be Gabriel Landeskog, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Sean Couturier, Adam Larsson, and Jonathan Huberdeau. Ideally, the Devils would want Adam Larsson. Larsson is a Swedish defenseman who is 18 and has a right handed shot which the Devils need desperately on the back end. He would fit well with fellow Swedes Jacob Josefson, Mattias Tedenby, and Alexander Urbom. There is a good chance that Larsson will be taken in the top three so the Devils need a backup plan. The Devils are very deep in the left wing and right wing positions so they should look at a center. Jonathan Huberdeau is my pick. He currently has 25 points in his team's playoff run, the Saint John (CAN) Sea Dogs. 

3.  Re-sign Andy Greene

Greene has been the best puck moving defenseman for the Devils over the past two seasons. If his contract demands are not too lofty, he should be re-signed. I would call for a three year deal paying 1.5, 1.75, and 2 million to keep his cap number at 1.75. 

Next season, the team should be back on track. This will surely be an interesting off season.