3 'Bold' Offer Sheet Targets Proposed for New Jersey Devils

Looking at three RFA forwards for the Devils to go after with "bold" offer sheets

If this does turn out to be the Summer of the Offer Sheet, there will be plenty of candidates to be targeted... And plenty of teams are ready to try it. After the success the St. Louis Blues had last summer poaching Philip Broberg and Dylan Holloway from the Edmonton Oilers, why not?

The New Jersey Devils fell short of their goals this season, being eliminated in the first round of the playoffs. They also fell short in scoring goals, as they dropped to 20th in the league in goals-per-game, at 2.93. They'll need to add to their talent base up front.

James Nichols of New Jersey Hockey Now has proposed three RFA forwards for the Devils to go after with "bold" offer sheets, if they are to keep to their promise of being "aggressive" this summer.

JJ Peterka, Buffalo Sabres

We start with probably the biggest, and most attainable name on the RFA front at forward (no, Matthew Knies will not be available to any team trying to sign him). Peterka seems like he could be had, as there have been reports that he might not be happy with the situation in Buffalo.

With Peterka being projected by AFP Analytics for a long-term, $7.8 million AAV on his next deal, the Devils would have to surrender their first, second and third-round picks in the 2026 NHL Draft as compensation for signing the Sabres forward.

He had a breakout season this year, with 27 goals and 68 points, and would seem to be a rising star worthy of that cost.

There are some reports that the Sabres have no intention of letting him go, but that doesn't mean that Peterka won't try.

Marco Rossi, Minnesota Wild

So what's going on with Rossi and the Wild? After a very strong second full season in the NHL with 24 goals and 60 points, Rossi found himself on the fourth line in the playoffs, and there seems to be some concern about the Wild's ability to re-sign him.

"The Devils might have an opportunity here to retrieve a player that has certainly shown his talents in an environment he’s not necessarily thrilled with," writes Nichols.

He's being projected for a $7.3 million AAV on a 7-year contract.

Could Mason McTavish look for a new start in New Jersey?

Mason McTavish, Anaheim Ducks

Perhaps with the naming of new head coach Joel Quenneville, McTavish will be allowed to become the long-term piece that the Ducks have hoped for from the former No. 3 overall pick. But after his questionable usage under former coach Greg Cronin, one wonders if McTavish will look for a new beginning elsewhere, and an offer from another team with more confidence in his burgeoning talent.

"McTavish is exactly the kind of grindy, offensive player the Devils want to add," says Nichols.

He posted 22 goals and 52 points in only 16:53 average time on ice. He's projected for a $6.7M AAV.