The New Jersey Devils are facing a major setback in their push towards the playoffs and the Stanley Cup with the season-ending shoulder surgery of superstar center Jack Hughes. However, General Manager Tom Fitzgerald is not sitting idly by. With Hughes’ $8 million cap hit now on long-term injured reserve, the Devils have over $9.8 million in cap space to utilize before the NHL’s March 7 trade deadline. This opens up opportunities for New Jersey to make big moves and potentially acquire talent that could help them in their post-season run.
Despite concerns surrounding Hughes’ injury history, the Devils are determined to push forward and strengthen their team for a long playoff run. This includes the possibility of making big trades to bolster their roster. Fitzgerald has a good amount of assets to work with, such as draft picks, and could potentially target players like Brock Nelson, Ryan Donato, or Ryan O’Reilly.
While Hughes’ absence will undoubtedly impact the Devils’ playoff chances, the team is not giving up without a fight. This injury may change the landscape of the trade deadline, with New Jersey potentially becoming a major player in trade talks. The team is focused on making the most of the current situation and building a competitive roster to continue their pursuit of the Stanley Cup.
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