The New Jersey Devils are having a solid season, but their fourth line has been a mess lately.
With Curtis Lazar and Nathan Bastian out due to long-term injuries, the team has struggled to find the right combination to fill their spots.
Right now, head coach Sheldon Keefe has been trying to make it work with Tomas Tatar, Justin Dowling, and Kurtis MacDermid, but it’s not working.
Unfortunately, the trio has struggled offensively and defensively.
If the Devils want to be real contenders for the Stanley Cup, they must fix this issue quickly.
General Manager Tom Fitzgerald has options, though.
Plenty of players could step in and give the fourth line some much-needed energy, speed, and scoring.
Let’s talk about a few of them.
One name that’s been coming up is Michael Carcone from the Utah Hockey Club.
He’s not a big name, but he’s got real potential.
Last year, he scored 21 goals in his first full NHL season and was the top scorer in the AHL the year before, with 85 points.
For some reason, he’s barely played this season—only six games so far—but that could be Utah’s loss and the Devils’ gain.
Carcone is affordable, with a $775,000 salary, and he has the speed and toughness the Devils need.
He’s fast, ranking in the top 65% for overall speed and 77% for quick bursts last year.
Plus, even though he’s only 5’9”, he plays with a lot of grit and isn’t afraid to get physical.
Adding him to the Devils’ fourth line could bring the energy and scoring boost they’re missing.
Another option is Brandon Tanev from the Seattle Kraken.
Tanev is fast—like, stupidly fast.
He’s in the top 98% for skating speed in the NHL and is known for his physical play.
He’s a guy who loves to hit and is exactly the kind of player who can shake things up on the ice.
If you’ve missed the energy Miles Wood brought to the Devils, Tanev could be the answer.
The problem is that Tanev’s salary is $3.5 million, which is a bit high for what the Devils can afford.
However, if Seattle agrees to cover half his salary, the cost would be $1.75 million—a much more manageable number.
Sure, other teams might jump in to compete for him, but Tanev’s mix of speed and grit makes him worthwhile.
Now, with the Ottawa Senators, Noah Gregor is another player who could suit the Devils’ needs.
He’s super fast, ranking in the top 80-90% for speed and bringing much energy to the ice.
While his defensive skills could use some work, he’s affordable at $850,000 and is still a restricted free agent next season.
That means the Devils wouldn’t risk much by giving him a shot.
If Fitzgerald is looking for someone familiar, Kevin Labanc might be an option.
Labanc played with the Devils during the preseason and looked pretty good, but he decided to sign with Columbus for more playing time.
Now that Columbus is struggling, Labanc could return to the trade market.
Although Labanc isn’t the fastest skater, he can score goals and plays decent defense.
He’s on a cheap $775,000 contract, and since the Devils already know what he can do, he could be an easy addition to the roster.
Columbus would probably ask for a mid-round draft pick, which is a fair price to pay.
Finally, there are a couple of options from the Pittsburgh Penguins, who seem ready to sell off players.
Drew O’Connor, a New Jersey native, is a standout candidate.
He’s a versatile player from Chatham, New Jersey, and is currently on a $925,000 contract.
O’Connor has played on Pittsburgh’s third line and first penalty-kill unit this season, which shows his strong defensive skills and ability to handle different roles.
O’Connor has three goals and four points in 18 games this season.
While his offensive ceiling is limited, his size, skating, and physical play make him a clear upgrade over the Devils’ current fourth-line players.
Another Penguin worth considering is Anthony Beauvillier, who started his career with the New York Islanders.
He’s a fast skater who can win battles for the puck and move it up the ice.
Beauvillier has five goals and six points in 18 games this season.
And his $1.25 million cap hit makes him an affordable rental for the Devils.
While he’s not a standout scorer, his experience and steady play would make the fourth line more reliable.
Ultimately, the Devils are in a great position to make a serious playoff run, but they can’t ignore the hole in their fourth line.
Whether they go for a speedy guy like Carcone or Gregor, a gritty player like Tanev, or a steady hand like Labanc or Beauvillier, there are plenty of ways to fix the problem.
The sooner Fitzgerald makes a move, the better.
The Devils’ championship hopes might just depend on it.