New Jersey Devils: 5 burning questions for 2018-19

NEWARK, NJ - DECEMBER 21: Taylor Hall #9 and Nico Hischier #13 of the New Jersey Devils celebrate a goal that was disallowed during the second period against the New York Rangers at the Prudential Center on December 21, 2017 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

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2. Will the Devils make a notable trade?

While most NHL fans alike were surprised that general manager Ray Shero and the Devils stayed quiet during this summer’s UFA period, it was a wise move for the sake of building the right type of Stanley Cup contender moving forward in the team’s rebuilding era.

Entering the month of August, New Jersey has almost $20 million in salary cap space ($19,573,333, per CapFriendly) and the team could use that to its advantage to acquire some notable assets. Yes, trading for the Ottawa Senators’ Erik Karlsson at this point in time almost makes too much sense for a Devils team on the rise, and Jersey would also have the leverage on their end of the deal.

The reality is that Ottawa is running out of time to demand what they once originally wanted in exchange for the two-time Norris Trophy winner (2012 & 2015), and in large part because Karlsson is set to become a UFA in after this season. Shero has proven in the past that he can build a Stanley Cup contender by acquiring those necessary assets via the NHL trade market, and he’ll more than likely make at least one notable trade before the 2019 NHL Trade Deadline approaches.

There are a number of teams that will be looking to sell off various types of players in order to accommodate more cap space for the sake of their respective rosters moving forward, and the Devils have room and leverage to take full advantage of that aspect.

A top-three defenseman or another 20-goal scorer at the winger position is a necessity for the Devils heading into 2018-19.

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