Infernal Access

Follow along on Twitter @ToddCordell | @InfernalAccess Sunny Mehta has been on the job for less than three months and already proven to be a breath of fresh air for the New Jersey Devils. It’s not necessarily the moves he’s made – although I am certainly a fan of the work thus far – but how he has gone about making them. There’s a refreshing level of creativity shown in almost every single transaction, be it the move itself or the lever pulled to do so. Allow me to highlight just a few examples.

Follow along on Twitter @ToddCordell | @InfernalAccess The New Jersey Devils are reportedly testing the market for veteran goaltender Jacob Markstrom. Finding a trade could be a tricky proposition. He is coming off a down season, he is set to earn $6 million for another two seasons, and he has a 20-team no-trade list. That combination could limit an already narrow list of matches. Whether GM Sunny Mehta can find a deal is anyone’s guess, but here are three destinations that could make sense.

Follow along on Twitter @ToddCordell | @InfernalAccess A few notes on the talk surrounding a pair of star centers: The New Jersey Devils were not one of three teams Larkin put on his trade list but that doesn’t mean they can’t get involved. It’s expected Larkin will be asked to expand his list to give Steve Yzerman more flexibility to facilitate a trade, which could open the door for New Jersey.

Follow along on Twitter @ToddCordell | @InfernalAccess Nico Hischier’s contract status is the biggest talking point surrounding the New Jersey Devils right now. Deservedly so. The captain is only a year away from unrestricted free agency and the team’s ability to contend – both now and in the future – heavily depends on getting him re-signed. Hischier is a top-line caliber center who has averaged 32+ goals and 72+ points per 82 games over the last three seasons.

Zeroing in on a couple of names in play – and one likely taken off the table. Follow along on Twitter @ToddCordell | @InfernalAccess Get 35% off for 1 year The calendar has flipped and we’ve officially entered the busiest month of the year for trades in the NHL. With that in mind, let’s talk about a couple players who are firmly in play – and one likely taken off the table.

Follow along on Twitter @ToddCordell | @InfernalAccess Get 35% off for 1 year The New Jersey Devils are scheduled to select 12th at this year’s draft. While it’s certainly possible they trade it for immediate help – the Florida Panthers often did so, even before truly contending – the pick is theirs until it isn’t. I’ve been combing through tape and tracking data on potential targets and center Viggo Bjorck has emerged as my early favorite.

Follow along on Twitter @ToddCordell | @InfernalAccess Get 35% off for 1 year Jordan Kyrou’s name has been a constant in trade rumors over the past year and change. If the St. Louis Blues put him back on the market this summer, the New Jersey Devils should make him a priority target. Let’s get into some of the many reasons why. Jordan Kyrou has developed into one of the better play-driving wingers in the league, constantly tilting the ice in favor of St. Louis.

Follow along on Twitter @ToddCordell | @InfernalAccess How the New Jersey Devils will play under Sunny Mehta has been a frequent talking point since he took over as General Manager. That topic surfaced again Thursday afternoon during an interview with Jeff Marek on The Sheet. Mehta addressed a variety of topics, from style of play to managing a roster loaded with no-trade protection. Here are my thoughts and takeaways from Mehta’s comments: I don’t know that, for me, it’s a stylistic thing.

Follow along on Twitter @ToddCordell | @InfernalAccess One of the top items on General Manager Sunny Mehta’s to-do list is signing captain Nico Hischier to a long-term contract extension. Mehta has wasted no time getting the process started, according to a report from Kristy Flannery of The Hockey News: The 27-year-old is eligible to sign an extension with the team on July 1st and is set to become an unrestricted free agent in 2027.

Follow along on Twitter @ToddCordell | @InfernalAccess Lenni Hameenaho gave the New Jersey Devils a jolt after being recalled in mid-January, recording four points over the first six games of his NHL career while helping lengthen the lineup. He was not able to sustain that level of production (or anywhere close), tallying only four points over 27 appearances the rest of the way. That the offense dried up wasn’t just a string of bad luck.