3 Devils Entering Their Final Year With New Jersey

The New Jersey Devils are ramping up for a serious run at the Stanley Cup and have made some solid changes and additions to their group. This is typically an injury-riddled team that loses momentum in the season and eventually falters because of that reason. They are looking to change that and the depth looks a lot better than years past. Whether it's free agency, trades, or waivers, the Devils won't look the same heading into this season as they do the following one.

Evgenii Dadonov

Evgenii Dadonov was an under-the-radar depth addition that can also move up the lineup due to his skill. He ended last season with 20 goals and 40 points while playing 13:32 per game. The 36-year-old is on a one-year deal at just $1 million AAV. That is cheap for what he contributed to the Dallas Stars last season. I could either see him having similar success and wanting more or faltering like the depth of the Devils tends to do and moving on.

Nico Daws

Nico Daws may be entering his final year with the Devils, but I don't think he even makes it to the season as he is eligible for waivers, is an NHL-ready and talented young goalie, won't make the team with the decisions New Jersey made, and teams will definitely jump at the opportunity. With Jacob Markstrom signed this season and the team looking to extend him as well as Jake Allen just getting a five-year deal, the Devils made their bed with this one. It may come back to bite them in the end, but they are trying to win a Stanley Cup right now.

Seamus Casey

The Devils have made it pretty clear with their actions that there isn't going to be much room for someone like Seamus Casey to earn an everyday spot in the lineup. The defensive contract that ends the soonest is Brendan Dillon after two more years. Of course things can change and players can be moved, but the Devils are in a Stanley Cup window if they can stay healthy and want a good mix of veterans and other players in their prime. Casey has only played 14 NHL games, all coming last season, and did very well for limited time, but the Devils will have to trade an established defender with multiple years left on their deal if he wants to get in the lineup or even be in the NHL consistently. Trading him would help improve the forward depth and it could come at the trade deadline or next offseason.