The New Jersey Devils addressed their largest offseason want after they acquired goaltender Jacob Markstrom from the Calgary Flames. Wwith the 2024 NHL Entry Draft and free company arising, Common Supervisor Tom Fitzgerald will look to enhance the remainder of the roster. One title that’s being linked to the Devils is defenseman Brett Pesce.
The 2023-24 offseason uncovered New Jersey’s depth points on protection. With veteran defenders Dougie Hamilton and Jonas Siegenthaler lacking vital time with accidents, rookie defensemen performed greater than anticipated. Luke Hughes performed in all 82 video games whereas Simon Nemec performed in 60. Rookies taking part in main minutes is useful in the long term however, it garnered inconsistent outcomes from the Devils’ again finish. The Devils should add veteran blueliners in the course of the offseason, and Brett Pesce ought to be the primary addition.
Brett Pesce’s Background
Pesce was drafted 66th general by the Carolina Hurricanes in 2013. He’s a 6-foot-3, 205-pound defenseman from Tarrytown, New York. Pesce’s hometown is simply an hour away from Prudential Heart, and he grew up taking part in for the Jersey Hitmen of the Jap Junior Hockey League (EJHL). He performed for the College of New Hampshire for 3 seasons and performed seven video games with the Charlotte Checkers of the American Hockey League (AHL) earlier than making his NHL debut within the 2015-16 season. His recreation is easy however extraordinarily efficient in his personal zone. He doesn’t produce excessive level totals however generally is a key addition to a group’s penalty kill.
Pesce has performed 627-career video games, scoring 39 objectives, 159 assists and solely 227 penalty minutes, a median of 25 minutes per season. On common, he performs 22:01 per night time recreation is a distinguished fixture on the penalty kill. In 9 NHL seasons, his plus/minus has solely been within the unfavorable twice; he was minus-7 in 2015-16 and minus-6 two seasons later. Within the 2023-24 season, he performed 70 video games, scoring three objectives and recording 10 assists 13 factors.
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Pesce is a defensive defenseman who faces the highest offensive gamers within the league. What he lacks in level manufacturing, he makes up for by shutting down the opposition.
Pesce’s Potential Match on the Devils
Free company doesn’t begin till July 1 and till then, rumors will swirl about which participant finally ends up the place. Pesce signing with the Devils has been the latest rumor floating round. Nonetheless, nothing is concrete till a contract is signed.
Does it make sense for the Devils to signal Pesce? The quick reply is: sure, for the appropriate value. They have already got Hamilton, John Marino, and Nemec on the appropriate facet, however Marino may very well be the odd man out. Regardless of a powerful begin in New Jersey, his defensive play has dropped off dramatically. Pesce can be an improve, however he would doubtless come at the next value than Marino’s $4.4 million contract that has three seasons remaining. In keeping with Evolving Hockey, Pesce’s subsequent contract is projected to be round fivef years with a median annual worth of $5.5 million.
If the Devils signal Pesce and commerce Marino, they might be paying roughly $1.1 million for an even bigger and extra constant defenseman. Moreover, Pesce can shut down passing lanes higher than Marino, who struggled for many of the season. Nonetheless, it shouldn’t be the one transfer New Jersey makes to enhance their protection. The Devils are getting crowded in the case of right-handed defensemen. So as to fight that difficulty, some defenders should regulate to taking part in on their off facet.
The Devils will open the 2024-25 common season in opposition to the Buffalo Sabres in Prague, Czechia on Oct. 4. Buying Markstrom and focusing on veteran defenseman in free company will bolster the roster that has its core in place. Anticipate extra additions and subtractions within the upcoming week.
