On Wednesday, New Jersey Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald announced the hiring of Sheldon Keefe as the team’s new head coach. Keefe was the first priority on Fitzgerald’s off-season agenda, but there are still several items remaining. As the former head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Keefe will now begin assembling a coaching staff and implementing a system aimed at revitalizing the Devils.
Typically, new coaches bring in veteran players to help ease the transition to a new playing style. Having players familiar with a coach’s preferences can accelerate the adjustment to a new system. While the Devils won’t solve their goaltending issues by looking to the Maple Leafs, they could address other needs, such as acquiring complementary forwards and experienced defensemen
Toronto has six skaters set to become free agents on July 1; here’s a look at four who could fit into the Devils’ plans both financially and strategically. (Salary projections from AFP Analytics)
Max Domi – Forward – Projection: 2 years x $3.575 million
Throughout his career, Max Domi has been a divisive player. He has yet to fully live up to the expectations that led the then-Phoenix Coyotes to select him 12th overall in 2013. Now, with nine NHL seasons under his belt, he has settled into a role as a gritty middle-six player who can contribute at center or on the wing.
In many ways, he resembles a younger Erik Haula, a useful player on successful teams who has frequently changed clubs. This season, Domi showcased his best play in the latter half and playoffs, where his ice time steadily increased. In the absence of William Nylander and Auston Matthews at various points in their first-round series against the Boston Bruins, Domi was thrust into a higher lineup and responded with four points in seven games.
He would add grit and secondary scoring to the Devils, solidifying a third line with Ondrej Palat and Haula that could rival any in the NHL. Domi does come with some risk due to inconsistency throughout his career, but he seemed to find a niche in Toronto when asked to center the third line.
During the playoffs, Domi logged the second-most 5v5 minutes of any forward and was on the ice for only three goals against. The Maple Leafs’ goaltenders posted a .944 save percentage (SV%) with him on the ice. If the Devils can acquire Domi at the projected price and term, he would be a valuable addition to their middle six as a versatile player who can contribute on the second power-play unit while providing a physical edge
Tyler Bertuzzi – Forward – Projection: 4 years x $5.2 million
Like Domi, Tyler Bertuzzi would be brought to Toronto to bolster the team’s toughness and secondary scoring. Bertuzzi is a middle-six winger who can be counted on for 20-30 goals per season and nearly 90 hits. He plays a physical game along the boards and in front of the net. He can be an agitator, which the Devils desperately need to acquire. The biggest concern with Bertuzzi is the cost.
His ice time and success increased rapidly as the season progressed. He found a role in Toronto, setting the tone in tough areas similar to what Timo Meier does when healthy. Bertuzzi isn’t the play-driver that Meier is, but he is skilled as a net-front presence at even strength and on the power play.
In this season’s playoffs, he played the most minutes at 5v5 of any Toronto forward, and the Maple Leafs outscored Boston 6- with him on the ice and played to . his
