10 free agents Devils should pursue once crucial offseason begins

After playing a part-time role for much of this season in Pittsburgh, Clifton could be in search of a reset. And where better for that to happen than his home state with the Devils. In 50 regular season games, he had just six points (two goals, four assists).

Connor Dewar, C, Pittsburgh

The Devils have long searched for a solid 3C behind Hughes and Hischier and Dewar could be a good option there in 2026. He’s coming off a 30-point season with the Penguins.

Arseny Gritsyuk, RW, New Jersey

There’s no need to complicate this. In his rookie season, Gritsyuk — who started on the fourth line — showed flashes of brilliance before ultimately being shut down with an injury. He’ll be a RFA and the Devils should do right by him and lock him up as a key part of the future.

Patrick Kane, RW, Detroit

Sure, the Devils certainly do not need another aging, beyond-his-prime player. But is that really what Kane is, even at 37 years old? He had a sensational year for Detroit (16 goals, 41 assists) and could certainly be a contributing player for a Devils team that, frankly, needs proven veteran players.

Sam Lafferty, C, Chicago

The Devils will, again, be in need of bottom six depth and Lafferty could be a low-risk move if the money is right. He saw limited time with the Blackhawks this season but is just two years removed from a 24-point season with the Canucks.

Simon Nemec, D, New Jersey

Let’s not forget: just because Tom Fitzgerald created a mess doesn’t mean Mehta has to inherit all of it. Nemec has been among the Devils’ best defensemen and deserves a spot on this team. It’ll be up to the new GM to find ways to move other bad defensive pieces to make it happen, though.

Stuart Skinner, G, Pittsburgh

Yes, the Devils are stuck with Jacob Markstrom and Jake Allen on the roster but this team can’t really go into next season with no other options, right? Skinner was traded from Edmonton to Pittsburgh and will be a UFA at season’s end. His numbers since the trade haven’t been great — .885 save%, 2.99 GAA. But he’s just 27, a big improvement from the Devils’ two aging goalies on the roster.

Alex Tuch, RW, Buffalo

It’s unlikely that the Sabres would actually let Tuch leave given his production (33 goals, 33 assists) and their resurgence back to relevancy, or if the Devils could even realistically afford him. But imagine a Tuch-Hughes-Bratt line.

Read the original article on NJ.com. Add NJ.com as a Preferred Source by clicking here.