It is crazy to believe but the NHL Trade Deadline is a month and a half away. Yet, March 1st will come before anyone knows it. When fantasy hockey and trading collide, there is bound to be rumors and speculation.
The New Jersey Devils are currently seven points out of a playoff spot with many teams to pass. They have also played 44 games as of press time which means most of their competition has games in hand. The Devils are 8-15-6 over their last 29 contests. They rank in the bottom five in expected goals for, scoring chances and possession. Signs of drastic improvement seem very unlikely.
New Jersey will try to be a seller come March 1st. Let’s take a look at a few potential targets, probability, and potential fantasy impact.
NHL Trade Deadline Targets – New Jersey Devils
Travis Zajac – Center
Zajac is tied for the team lead in points (27). The concerns with the center are obvious. He has four plus years on his eight year, $5.75 million per year deal. His shot generation is so-so at less than two per game. Zajac’s point ceiling is probably somewhere around 50 points at best. That is even with top talent around the center.
The soon to be 32 year old does have an ability to win face-offs and can play all phases — even strength, power play, and penalty kill. That makes him at least attractive enough for a few teams.
However, the ultimately likelihood of a trade is very low because of the length and amount of his current deal, plus a no trade clause. New Jersey would have to eat a considerable portion. He has fantasy impacts limited more to defensive aspects and some offensive upside. Past rumors of destinations have included Toronto, Minnesota, and Winnipeg.
Michael Cammalleri – Winger
Cammalleri has had an uneven season to say the least. He has 22 points in 38 games including ten goals. The difference is last year Cammalleri never went on too much of a cold streak. This year, he went ten games without a goal before a hot streak.
The problem is after a nine goal stretch in eight contests, there is now a one goal in 19 game drought. That inconsistency along with the two plus years on his deal, and the fact that he is approaching 35, is scary for some teams. His fantasy ownership has plummeted along with his shot volume.
Cammalleri’s salary and defensive ability are troubling but these cold streaks are worse. The probability of a trade is low as New Jersey may again have to eat salary. A better team might be able to shelter him a bit offensively to minimize any lack of production. He could be better set up to succeed. His fantasy impacts would be higher somewhere else. Past rumors include Pittsburgh, Calgary, and even Montreal.
P.A. Parenteau — Winger
The winger has proven to be a nice commodity for New Jersey with 12 goals in 42 games. He is on pace for another 20+ goal campaign. Last year it was Lee Stempniak who surprised everyone.
Defensive red flags are many. It is more than his -9 plus/minus. Parenteau has too many instances of not being able to keep up with higher paced offenses going the other way. When he is on the ice and can possess the puck, Parenteau is a considerable asset, however.
Parenteau is likely to be traded and the destinations could be in the East or West. He almost seems ideal for a third line role with some power play time. His salary is excessively cheap ($1.25 million) and is a pending UFA. Past rumors include a variety of destinations including Montreal, Toronto, etc.