New Jersey Receiving Trade Offers on Defenseman

The trade market is picking up in a major way across the NHL as the Stanley Cup Final has begun and the NHL Entry Draft is around the corner. So to is free agency and there's no doubt the New Jersey Devils are going to look long and hard at bringing back defenseman Damon Severson. 

Severson is a pending unrestricted free agent who has been a rock for the Devils these past nine seasons. The 28-year-old blueliner does it on for Jersey, playing in all situations and is usually on the ice in the final minutes when the game is on the line.

Severson recorded 33 points in 81 games last season and has shown in the past he's capable of flirting with 50-point seasons. He's due for a nice raise off his $4.1 million salary from last season and there's several teams around the league who are trying to get a head start on putting pen to paper. 

Several teams have reached out to acquire his rights as per Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet. We've seen moves like this done in the past where a mid-level prospect or a mid-round draft pick heads the other way. For now, it does sound like the Devils will do their best to sign Severson before July 1 when he'd be set to hit the open market. GM Tom Fitzgerald has a ton of forwards to sign to lucrative contracts this summer, however does have over $34 million in cap space and we'll have to wait and see if he puts any pennies aside for keeping Severson in the fold.

Photo credit:  Danny Wild-USA TODAY Sports