These teams need to get on the phone about a Evgeni Malkin trade

4. New Jersey Devils

With a team tilted toward youth, the No. 1 overall pick (presumably Jack Hughes) pick coming in next month and the idea of teaming with Taylor Hall on the first line, the Devils should carry a great level of appeal for Malkin. They also obviously have cap space to take on his contract, with prospect capital and draft picks to help form a good offer to Pittsburgh.

As laid out by Vince Parise over at Pucks and Pitchforks, Malkin and his $9.5 million cap hits over the next three seasons would be off New Jersey’s books by the time players like Hughes, Nico Hishier and perhaps Hall are lined up with lucrative contracts. If the Penguins are willing to retain some of that salary, for whatever reason, then the Devils really could make a big, all-in type move to get Malkin.

All of these scenarios work under the assumption the Penguins are shifting from considering Malkin untouchable, and that he would waive his no-trade clause. But the Devils should at least have surface interest, and they are equipped to make the move for Malkin if it can be done.