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Buckle up, Sunny Mehta.
It’s time to get to work.
Yes, he hasn’t even been formally introduced as the Devils’ new general manager yet and yes, the entire NHL playoffs need to play out over the next two months before he can really get to work.
But Mehta and the Devils’ front office (whatever that looks like) should start doing its homework on this summer’s free agent class — and how those players can help turn around a franchise that hasn’t been past the second round of the playoffs since its Stanley Cup run in 2012.
Departing GM Tom Fitzgerald left a cap-space mess for the new regime, something that Mehta will have to sort out. Bad contracts, a long list of no-move-clauses and poor roster construction are all things that led to the Devils’ disappointing finish in 2026.
Here are 10 free agents the Devils should pursue this offseason:
Oliver Bjorkstrand, RW, Tampa Bay
Bjorkstrand is on the back end of his career now and will probably never be the 50-point player he once was. But the Devils don’t need that. They need veteran depth and player with big-game experience. Bjorkstrand fits that bill, coming off a 32-point season in Tampa.
John Carlson, D, Anaheim
The Devils will be reluctant to get into a hefty contract with an aging defenseman, but Carlson could be worth it. He’s still productive, registering 60 points between Washington and Anaheim, and would provide the dressing room with a much-needed, I’ve-been-there-before player on the back end.
And, of course, let’s not forget: the Devils passed on Carlson in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft for ... Mattias Tedenby.
Connor Clifton, D, Pittsburgh
After playing a part-time role for much of this season in Pittsburgh, Clifton could be in search of a reset. And where better for that to happen than his home state with the Devils. In 50 regular season games, he had just six points (two goals, four assists).
Connor Dewar, C, Pittsburgh
The Devils have long searched for a solid 3C behind Hughes and Hischier and Dewar could be a good option there in 2026. He’s coming off a 30-point season with the Penguins.
Arseny Gritsyuk, RW, New Jersey
There’s no need to complicate this. In his rookie season, Gritsyuk — who started on the fourth line — showed flashes of brilliance before ultimately being shut down with an injury. He’ll be a RFA and the Devils should do right by him and lock him up as a key part of the future.
Patrick Kane, RW, Detroit
Sure, the Devils certainly do not needanother aging, beyond-his-prime player. But is that really what Kane is, even at 37 years old? He had a sensational year for Detroit (16 goals, 41 assists) and could certainly be a contributing player for a Devils team that, frankly, needs proven veteran players.
Sam Lafferty, C, Chicago
The Devils will, again, be in need of bottom six depth and Lafferty could be a low-risk move if the money is right. He saw limited time with the Blackhawks this season but is just two years removed from a 24-point season with the Canucks.
Simon Nemec, D, New Jersey
Let’s not forget: just because Tom Fitzgerald created a mess doesn’t mean Mehta has to inherit all of it. Nemec has been among the Devils’ best defensemen and deserves a spot on this team. It’ll be up to the new GM to find ways to move other bad defensive pieces to make it happen, though.
Stuart Skinner, G, Pittsburgh
Yes, the Devils are stuck with Jacob Markstrom and Jake Allen on the roster but this team can’t really go into next season with no other options, right? Skinner was traded from Edmonton to Pittsburgh and will be a UFA at season’s end. His numbers since the trade haven’t been great — .885 save%, 2.99 GAA. But he’s just 27, a big improvement from the Devils’ two aging goalies on the roster.
Alex Tuch, RW, Buffalo
It’s unlikely that the Sabres would actually let Tuch leave given his production (33 goals, 33 assists) and their resurgence back to relevancy, or if the Devils could even realistically afford him. But imagine a Tuch-Hughes-Bratt line.
Read the original article on NJ.com. Add NJ.com as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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