Devils Trade Deadline Recap

Recap of Devils moves yesterday:

Traded D Eric Gelinas to Colorado for a 2017 third-round draft pick. 

Recalled F Stefan Matteau from Albany (AHL) and traded him to Montreal for F Devante Smith-Pelly. 

Acquired a 2016 fourth-round draft pick and a 2017 second-round draft pick from Boston for RW Lee Stempniak. 

Claimed D David Warsofsky off waivers from Pittsburgh.

All things considered, I think the Devils made smart moves.  They didn't try to do too much.  Ray Shero has a good idea of who this team is at this point in the season.  Are they still in the playoff race?  Yes.  Is this team going to win the cup this year?  No.  And that's what it comes down to.  On the surface, the lowest scoring team in the league trading their leading scorer doesn't make sense.  But, for these New Jersey Devils, it does.  It's about next year, and the years to come, not this year. Shero has built a Stanley Cup-winning team before, and it's doesn't happen overnight

I was hoping that they could get a 2nd round pick for Stempniak, which they did.  Shero also snagged a 4th rounder.  It's a deal that actually works out well for both teams involved, I think he is going to fit in very well playing in Boston, most likely with Marchand and Bergeron.  For the Devils, they sold high and got assets for the future.  With Stempniak gone and Cammalleri seemingly out for the year at this point, guys like Blandisi and Boucher are going to be asked to step up and fill the scoring void.  Next man up.

I wasn't surprised that Gelinas was dealt, though I suspected it wouldn't happen until the draft.  He hasn't seemed to fit into the Devils plans and couldn't stay in the lineup. A starting spot on D was his to lose, and he lost it to Seth Helgeson. Gelinas simply hasn't developed the way the Devils expected the past two years.  A think a fresh start in Colorado will be good for him.  Getting a 3rd round pick in return was a solid move by Shero.

I did not expect the Matteau trade, but I'm glad we did it.  He has been an absolute bust in my opinion and has not played anywhere near the level of a first round pick.  He's barely been able to crack the lineup.  I don't care what he's done in the AHL because he's proved nothing in the NHL.  Plus, I still hate his father.

The guy we got back for him from Montreal, Devante Smith-Pelly should fit well in John Hynes' system.  The Devils don't really have a power forward like him.  While he's not a top-6 forward, he brings some toughness that we sorely need.

I don't know much about David Warsofsky, who they claimed off waivers, other than he has played for Hynes before. Just another Pittsburgh cast-off now playing for the Devils.

The only thing that really surprised me was that Schlemko wasn't dealt.  I'm sure there were offers, but you can't sell if the price isn't right.

So, this is the team for the rest of the 2016 season.  Can the Devils sneak in the playoffs?  If they do, it will be on the back of Cory Schneider.  Maybe shaking things up a bit will help?  The trade deadline has passed, so that isn't a distraction anymore.  Young guys will have to step up and produce with Stempniak leaving.  Regardless, I think the Devils future looks bright and Ray Shero and John Hynes have this team headed in the right direction.