Free Agent Forwards Still Available to Improve Devils Depth

The New Jersey Devils left the state of Florida holding four of a possible six points in hand. That’s good news considering they matched up against the defending Stanley Cup Champion Florida Panthers and swept them. However, they didn’t have such luck in Tampa Bay, as the Lightning took advantage of a lethargic group. Perhaps, part of their issue is their lack of forward depth. As the Devils struggle with viable options to replace injured forwards, perhaps they could turn to remaining free agents for more suitable options.

RELATED: Devils Current Fourth Line Is Not Sustainable; What Can They Do?

On Saturday, two thirds of the Devils’ fourth line played under seven and a half minutes. Justin Dowling played 7:08 through three periods, and Kurtis MacDermid skated even less, playing in just 4:28.

Yesterday, the Devils reassigned Dowling (and Nick DeSimone) to the American Hockey League. The Devils don’t play again until Thursday, yet have roster spots to fill. After Dowling and DeSimone’s reassignments, they are currently carrying 20/23 players on the roster.

As of Monday, have $2,714,954 in current cap space which accrues to $9,760,906 in deadline cap space. They could spare a little to help a current need and dip into the free agent market, before December 1st arrives and it’s too late.

So who is out there?

Cal Clutterbuck—RW

Yep, we’re banging on this drum again.

The Devils should have brought Cal Clutterbuck in as a professional tryout in the fall. Perhaps, he wouldn’t have inked a deal much like how Kevin LaBanc wound up elsewhere. However, they would have at least gotten to know him a little.

Now, he’s doing a little bit of work as an analyst for MSG Networks with the New York Islanders—his previous club. He’s unlikely to play on Long Island again, unlike his former linemate Matt Martin, who signed a one-year, league minimum deal three weeks ago.

If Clutterbuck would like to resume his NHL career, as there has been no indication he wants to retire, he should consider doing so with the Devils.

New Jersey has a need on the fourth line after the injuries to both Curtis Lazar and Nathan Bastian. Currently, they lack NHL depth who can fill the roles left by injured forwards.

The Devils don’t need much. Just a forward who can skate 10 or so minutes a night, help out defensively in his own end, and add a bit of physicality, which is not foreign to the veteran forward who threw the fifth most hits (273) in 2023-24.

Clutterbuck checks all the boxes, and he can kill penalties. There’s no reason why a league minimum contract for the remainder of the 2024-25 season wouldn’t suffice. Clutterbuck brings plenty of playoff experience, leadership, and would make for a perfectly fine 13th forward if/when the Devils return to full health.

An added bonus? He has a sneaky, underrated shot and could pot a few goals, too.

Pierre-Édouard Bellemare—C/LW

Lazar is presumably out of action long-term. As a result, the Devils could use a depth center to replace his services. Still available in the NHL free agent pool, Pierre Édourd Bellemare is certainly an intriguing option.

Currently, Bellemare is playing overseas in Switzerland, skating for HC Ajoie in the NL.

The good news is he’s keeping in shape.

The Colorado Avalanche released Bellemare from a professional tryout this fall, bringing the forward back after a hiatus with the  Tampa Bay Lightning and Seattle Kraken.

Despite failing to ink a deal, Bellemare is still certainly a more viable option than what head coach Sheldon Keefe can currently deploy. The 39-year-old forward remains a solid shut-down bottom six forward who can skate upwards of 10 minutes and a night, help kill penalties, and win faceoff’s at a strong rate—wining 53.5% of draws last season.

Again, the Devils don’t need much. Just someone who is responsible that Keefe can trust for more than four to seven minutes a night.

Bellemare [and Clutterbuck] fit the description, and only costs the Devils dollars. It’s something general manager Tom Fitzgerald should consider.

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