Devils Trade Target: Jared McCann Addresses Scoring Need

When the Carolina Hurricanes rocked the NHL world to its core with the Mikko Rantanen trade, many people within the Devils community immediately turned their attention to General Manager Tom Fitzgerald to see how he would respond.

So far, nothing. And as for as New Jersey Hockey Now is hearing, Fitzgerald will stay the course.

RELATED: Hurricanes Go All In, What Will Devils Do? (+)

However, with over a month until the NHL Trade Deadline, things can change fast. Recent poor play and injuries could force Fitzgerald’s hand in acquiring more than just bottom-six depth.

Big names like J.T. Miller, Elias Pettersson, Brock Nelson, and Ryan O’Reilly are all high-end players who have had their names thrown into trade talks as of late. Miller, in particular, has been a player linked to the Devils in recent weeks, but questions over salary have cooled interest.

Fitzgerald may decide to pivot to other options. Options that may not be knowingly available on trade boards yet make sense for the Devils, as well as the selling team, could become available. We’ve also seen the Devils target players with some term on their contracts. He did so at the 2023 deadline with Timo Meier and Curtis Lazar and in 2024 with Jacob Markstrom and Paul Cotter.

While a handful of players fit the criteria, one in particular makes sense from a talent, team, and cost perspective: Seattle Kraken forward Jared McCann.

While not the same profile or pedigree as a Rantanen, McCann would be the perfect pivot for Fitzgerald to enhance the Devils top six that’s in need of a scoring punch.

The 28-year-old LW/C has two and a half more seasons at just $5 million per season.

McCann may be one of the most underrated players in the NHL, and with a rebuilding Seattle reportedly ready to take calls on their players, now is the time for Fitzgerald to make the call.

Since being selected by Seattle in the expansion draft, McCann has scored 110 goals in 285 games, including a 40-goal season in 2022-23. He’s one of the sneakiest best shooters in the league and is currently in the 99th percentile in shot speed according to NHL Edge. Over the past four seasons, his shot speed has never dipped below the 91st percentile for the season.

Despite a downtick in some of his goal-scoring and shooting metrics, McCann is just one of many Seattle players having a poor statistical season. Conventional wisdom would suggest that if added to either Nico Hischier or Jack Hughes’s wing, his current 12.2% shooting percentage would take a considerable bump up. For the first time since 2017, McCann is scoring at a negative Goals Above Expected rate, but is typically good for, on average, seven goals scored above expected.

Other than his ability to put the puck in the back of the net, McCann is a do-it-all player for Seattle. While being leaned heavily on for offense at five-on-five, McCann is also a horse for them on the power play. He currently ranks second in time on ice on the Kraken’s power play, just a few seconds off of the top spot. The Kraken also use McCann and his thunderous shot as the triggerman on the PP. He has 16 more shot attempts than anyone else, as well as the most shots on goal.

His usage doesn’t stop there though. Seattle uses McCann as one of their primary penalty killers as well. He’s been in the top three amongst Kraken forwards in penalty kill minutes over the last two seasons and has six shorthanded goals over the last two seasons.

A player like McCann is exactly the type of player that helps teams win the Stanley Cup and can fill multiple holes in the Devils lineup to help them win one.

Jared McCann would deserve a better team in my opinion. Sorry, Seattle. McCann is in his prime years & he could be a great addition for any Stanley Cup contender team. https://t.co/aeQEN2bcOk pic.twitter.com/XapTgfAKw9

— Rono (@RonoAnalyst) December 25, 2024

The Devils have been crying out for another top-six forward who can put the puck into the back of the net. Hughes, Hischier, Meier, and Jesper Bratt have done the bulk of the scoring this season (accounting for 46% of all goals), but the well of goals has dried up lately and is in need of new life. McCann offers that new life, and fits in either next to Hischier as a defensively responsible, yet dangerous offensive winger, or next to Hughes as a speedy, transition and in-zone cycling forward who can finish his chances, and also jump in on face-offs.

McCann would also add another threat on the second power play unit, where it’s currently a two-man game between Meier and Luke Hughes with no other secondary scoring threat. The addition of McCann would give the second unit another puck carrier through the neutral zone, as well as add another dangerous shot opposite of Meier’s flank.

READ: Timo Meier’s Breakout for the Devils is Imminent

Also as mentioned, McCann would add another very capable body to the penalty kill and would be another added threat shorthanded, similar to Hughes and Bratt.

Other than his game filling just about every single one of the Devils’ needs, McCann’s $5 million AAV for the next three playoff runs makes him ultra-desirable. The Devils are projected $5.56 million in deadline day cap space, and would likely have no problem making the money work if they decided to pull the trigger on a trade before then.

Long term, McCann’s $5 million cap hit is a reasonable number for the Devils to fit within the salary cap and wouldn’t hamper their ability to extend Luke Hughes to an extension this summer, in addition to rounding out other parts of the roster.

READ MORE: Luke Hughes’ Potential Contract Extension with the Devils Revealed

The big question, and the one Fitzgerald will be tasked with finding the best answer to, is what the trade cost would be. Seattle is sitting on a 40-goal scorer making just $5 million for the next two and a half seasons and would likely want a significant trade haul.

Simon Nemec has popped up in trade rumors recently, but he’d likely be off the table. However, Seamus Casey could be a player the Devils dangle given their abundance of right-sided defensemen, and the Kraken’s lack of high-end defensive prospects. It still may take a few other assets to get a deal over the line, but the Devils should have the ammunition to get a deal done.

Fitzgerald has been no stranger to making the big move, and it wouldn’t be all too shocking if he pulls off another one before the Trade Deadline. If, and when, he does make that move, it should be for Jared McCann.

For more Devils news, visit New Jersey Hockey Now and like our Facebook page.

Follow us on 𝕏:

@NJDHockeyNow, @JamesNicholsNHL, @NickNatale10

And on Threads:

@JamesNicholsNHL