For the second time in three years, the New Jersey Devils had been eradicated by the Carolina Hurricanes within the playoffs. After their elimination, Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald famous there can be modifications coming to the membership this offseason. A type of modifications must be to commerce away Erik Haula. We have a look at the explanation why it’s time for the Devils to commerce Haula.
Haula began his profession with the Minnesota Wild, being picked 182nd within the 2009 NHL Draft. He would go to the College of Minnesota earlier than signing his entry-level contract in 2013. Haula would see his first NHL motion within the 2013-14 season, taking part in in 46 video games for the Wild. Haula would then be part of the Vegas Golden Knights as a restricted free agent through the 2017 NHL Growth Draft. He would then spend time with the Hurricanes, Florida Panthers, Nashville Predators, and Boston Bruins earlier than becoming a member of the Devils forward of the 2022-23 season through a commerce.
Haula would signal a three-year cope with the Devils forward of the 2023-24 season. He’s now getting into the ultimate yr of that deal, making $3.15 million this yr. Haula does have a full no-trade clause that’s set to run out on July 1st, 2025. That can transfer to a modified no-trade clause, permitting Haula to choose six groups he doesn’t wish to be traded to.
The Devils might save cap area
The Devils might use some cap area this offseason. Whereas they’re projected to have simply over $12 million in cap area based on PuckPedia, they may want as a lot room as doable. First, they’ve a serious have to re-sign Luke Hughes. Hughes is a restricted free agent this yr and can be commanding an enormous payday. Whereas Hughes was at a cap hit of simply $925,000 this previous yr, that can go up considerably. Relying on the size of the contract, the AAV for the subsequent contract for Hughes is projected to be within the $6 to $8 million vary. That would get rid of over half of the cap area the Devils have.
In the meantime, Cody Glass and Nolan Foote are each restricted free brokers who could possibly be introduced again. Additional, the Devils have six different unrestricted free brokers this offseason. Protecting Haula over a few of these different items might not make sense from a manufacturing degree both. Haula had simply 21 factors over 69 video games, or .3 factors per sport this yr. Glass performed simply 14 video games for the Devils and had .5 factors per sport. He had 22 factors over 65 video games general, barely higher than Haula. Glass can also be eight years youthful.
The Devils will definitely be making trades to release cap area this offseason. The Devils might purchase out Haula, however that may solely create $1.6 million in cap area. Buying and selling him then turns into one of the best resolution. A full commerce would save over $3 million in cap area. The Devils might not get a big return, however Haula could possibly be a part of a much bigger deal, or he might go for some late-round draft picks. Nonetheless, the financial savings on cash for a ahead that was not very productive for the Devils could possibly be enormous.
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Erik Haula may gain advantage from a change of surroundings
A contemporary begin for Haula could also be good for his profession as effectively. He’s coming off considered one of his worst seasons in a few years. First, his minus-six plus/minus score was his worst because the 2017-18 season with the Golden Knights. The Knights had been additionally of their first season within the NHL that yr. His aim manufacturing was the bottom because the 2020-21 season with Nashville, however that was a COVID-19 modified season, and he performed in 18 fewer video games whereas he scored simply two extra objectives this season. His help whole was the bottom because the 2018-19 season, when he performed in simply 15 video games.
Additional, the season after Haula has moved, he has usually seen a serious enhance in his manufacturing. The primary time Haula moved in his profession, going from Minnesota to Vegas, he would see his level manufacturing go up by 29 factors. When he left Vegas and joined the Hurricanes, his factors per sport manufacturing went up by over .1 factors per sport. Lastly, when he left the Predators and was off to the Bruins, his level manufacturing almost doubled. Constant along with his profession, Haula has been on a downward trajectory since his first season with the Devils.
In his first yr, Haula had 41 factors, seven power-play factors, three short-handed, and a plus-13 plus/minus score. That declined in his second yr to 35 factors general and a minus-one score. Final yr was his worst, with simply 21 factors, 5 on the ability play, no shorthanded factors, and a minus-6 score. The journeyman ahead has excelled when he has moved to a brand new workforce. With Haula within the final yr of his contract, a contemporary begin and higher manufacturing may gain advantage him long-term whereas additionally serving to the Devils with cap area.