Contenders

Team: 2024-25 New Jersey Devils

Initial Creation Date: Jun. 30, 2024

Published: Jun. 30, 2024

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

Rumor is that NJ will be Pesce's team - 6.25x6 will get it done even if it is a slight overpay.
Kulikov signing gives them a good stabilizer for Nemec. Gives them three solid pairs each with an offensive presence (Dougie, Hughes, Nemec) and a defensive presence (Siegs, Pesce, Kulikov). If everybody is healthy and Nemec/Hughes continue to develop should be a playoff-level blueline.
Pick up Skinner fresh off the buyout - he will likely be good for 50 points at least in the right role. 3.65M should be in his range especially since he will want to play for a playoff contender (which NJ should be). If Skinner can help revive Palat's performance that's a huge added bonus.
Give Mercer a bridge deal - he's got a lot of hype but was still a 33 pt scorer last year. Give him 2yrs at a reasonable number (4M range) before committing big money for him long term.
Finally bringing Toffoli back gives them a 2W to round out the top six. Ideally I would've slotted Holtz in the top six and saved the money on that signing but that isn't a reality. 5M AAV is risky for a 32 yr old scoring winger but his scoring abilities are too good to pass up on. The signing allows them to run a winger core of Meier - Bratt / Toffoli - Mercer / Skinner - Palat alongside their top three centres of Hughes/Hischier/Haula, Might be the deepest fwd group in the league. Either way Toffoli will be up in 2 years - if you're really in a jam next offszn you buy out Year2 or you offload him with a pick somewhere. If the goaltending holds up, this team has no real weaknesses.