Grading the Devils’ Free Agency Signings
New Jersey Devils General Manager Tom Fitzgerald was quite clear with his priorities this offseason. After solidifying the Devils’ goaltending, he turned his attention to the defensive and physical side of the game and kept true to his word. On the opening day of free agency, the Devils reeled in their big fish in Brett Pesce, inked Brenden Dillon, and brought back Stefan Noesen following a four-plus year hiatus as the forward made his way through four different clubs. It appears Fitzgerald has checked off most of the boxes he created for himself.
It’s unclear if the Devils are done constructing the roster, although we may find out when Fitzgerald speaks on Wednesday morning. They were heavy on top-six forwards Jonathan Marchessault and Steven Stamkos before Nashville Predators GM Barry Trotz swooped in at the 11th hour and stole at least one of them out from under Fitzgerald’s nose.
Despite coming up short of a clear-cut top-six forward, it was still a strong showing from Fitzgerald who set his sights on certain needs and addressed them. Let’s take a look at the contracts the Devils GM dolled out and letter grade them A-F.
Stefan Noesen – Right Wing – 3 years, $2.75M AAV
Grade: A
Despite being selected in the first round of the 2011 NHL Draft, Noesen was an AHL dweller through the 2016-17 season. It wasn’t until the 2017-18 season that Noesen made a name for himself at the NHL level. He played 145 games across three seasons in New Jersey, establishing himself as a solid forechecker who could occasionally chip in on offense, though he showed flashes of potential that he could contribute more on the stat sheet than he did.
Noesen found a little more consistency with the Carolina Hurricanes, turning in back-to-back 13 & 14-goal seasons, collecting 36 and 37 points respectively over the last two years. The 31-year-old established himself offensively as a net-front presence, scoring 11 of his 14 goals on the power play last season, and became a quality passer.
However, the Devils’ incentive to bring Noesen back is also certainly due to his heavy presence in the dirty areas, high-energy, and ruthless work ethic which makes him an excellent forechecker who wins plenty of puck battles.
The Devils were certainly lacking what Noesen brings in their forward group last season and now they bring the journeyman forward back at a solid price.
AFP Analytics projected Noesen to cash in on the open market for three years at roughly $3.2 million each year. However, the Devils were able to match the term yet at a cheaper $2.75 million average annual value.
Noesen’s acquisition all around was excellent work by Fitzgerald.
Tomas Tatar – Left Wing, Right Wing – 1 year, $1.8M
Grade: C+
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The Devils certainly had aspirations on the first day of free agency to sign a top-six forward such as Stamkos or Marchessault. When that didn’t come to fruition, Fitzgerald needed to pivot and landed on Tomas Tatar.
At first glance, it’s a curious move. There’s seemingly no clear-cut replacement for Tyler Toffoli — who Fitzgerald traded at the 2024 NHL Trade Deadline and is now a member of the San Jose Sharks. Further, Tatar didn’t fair well at all last season after signing with the Colorado Avalanche to then be traded to the Seattle Kraken after a poor start.
Perhaps Fitzgerald is looking to reunite Tatar with Nico Hischier and Dawson Mercer who put together some elite analytics in their 147 games together from 2021 to 2023, accruing an outstanding 63.32 xGF%.
In each of his two previous stints with the Devils, Tatar accrued 15 and 20 goals respectively.
If Tatar can regain his 20-goal form in New Jersey, that won’t quite replicate the near-35-goal pace Toffoli gave the Devils, but perhaps it can lead to Hischier and Mercer filling the net more as the trio seems to have some excellent chemistry.
AFP Analytics projected Tatar to receive a one-year deal, which Fitzgerald handed him, for about $1.65 million.
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