Dark Horse Team Could Sign Nikolaj Ehlers In Free Agency

The New Jersey Devils are one of the teams we should be watching out for this offseason as there is a lot going on. According to Elliotte Freidman, the Devils were disappointed with how their season ended and they are active on the trade market.

The Devils didn't necessarily take a step back this season, but due to injuries, they weren't able to have late season or playoff success. The depth in particular didn't come through and help much at all when they were needed. There are going to be a lot of changes, especially at forward, and by scouring the trade market, New Jersey may be able to move money out and upgrade at the same time.

The trade market and the free agent market are both limited and there is competition for both. The Devils are in a position where they are competitive and have a very talented group of younger players. It is a destination that players might not have high on their no trade list and a place free agents would be willing to sign.

While the team could make trades, a free agent that would fit very well in on the Devils is Nikolaj Ehlers. He is willing to take less money to be in a situation where he can win immediately. New Jersey is a team that can offer that and he will play with better players every shift than he did with the Winnipeg Jets.

Ehlers is quick and the 29-year-old put up 24 goals and 63 points in 69 games. That's the eighth time he's scored at least 20 goals and the fourth time he's put up at least 60 points. This is the big addition the Devils could use who can add much more scoring at possibly a reduced price than expected. The rest of the depth can be worked out after that, but a player like Ehlers isn't easy to get at a perfect time like this.