NHL Trade Rumors: Who Do the New Jersey Devils Have to Offer?

There have been plenty of rumors flying around the NHL this past month, and there are plenty of big names available out there who are ready to join a winning club.

While the New Jersey Devils are still in the middle of the pack and have already made one move to acquire defenseman Kurtis Foster, they could be in line to make another move soon if they feel inclined to make improvements.

Everyone else seems to be sold on the idea that Zach Parise or Martin Brodeur will be moved before the deadline, but it is still conceivable that they could make a move for the betterment of the 2011-12 team, as well.

The Devils have a little over 3.1 million dollars in cap room to work with, and there are a few players available that might be able to fit under that cap once a trade is completed.

With the amount of talent spread amongst teams lacking the ability to make the playoffs this season, Devils GM Lou Lamoriello could pull off a trade that will help the team down the stretch as New Jersey makes a push toward the playoffs.

Let's take a look at some of the talent the Devils have that could be trade bait used for the improvement of this year's team as New Jersey continues their push toward the playoffs in 2012.

Mattias Tedenby

Taken with their first round pick in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, Tedenby was set to become an integral part of the Devils' offense when he was ready.

While he has not fully developed into the scorer they had hoped, he is still very young and has a lot to offer.

Right now, Tedenby is playing on the third line with a rotating cast of veterans. While he offers a good change of pace option to the top two lines, New Jersey could use him in a trade as an offering of young talent to a team that is hoping to rebuild.

As far as 2011 goes, he has not made the kind of splash that an aspiring playoff team needs.

Part of the problem for Tedenby might be the fact that there is a clear-cut ceiling for his place on this season's team. There is no chance for him to move up to the first line, and unless he drastically improves his play, the second line is pretty much off limits as well.

If given the opportunity to compete for a top-line spot on another team, he may be able to improve.

Nick Palmieri

Nick Palmieri saw some significant playing time with the Devils last season under the regime of Jacques Lemaire, playing in 43 games and putting up 17 points.

He played in and out of the top line with Zach Parise and Ilya Kovalchuk as a power forward, and he is doing a great job of the attacking zone in front of the net.

Unfortunately for Palmieri, things haven't panned out in similar fashion under Peter DeBoer.

After a slow start and short stint, Nick was sent down to the AHL and has remained there since the return of Travis Zajac. It is clear that he won't be used very much in 2011, and his future prospects with the Devils might have taken a hit with the coaching change.

With the size and skills to be a power forward, Palmieri could develop into a force if he lands on a team that understands his talents.

He could easily turn out to be a player with an impact similar to that of Jason Arnott, a journeyman that was very effective on almost every team he played for, including the Devils

Matt Taormina

This one is a little bit difficult, and I'm not sure how much of a return you could get on any deal with Taormina in it.

But, with this being the last year of his contract before he becomes a restricted free agent, it might be a good time to give it a shot.

Taormina has been a fill in whenever the Devils have injuries—like currently with Andy Greene—and he has offered some depth to the lineup when he is used. However, when Greene returns to the lineup fairly soon, the choice will come down to Taormina and Mark Fayne as to who stays and who goes.

My money is on Fayne staying.

Since New Jersey just spent their first pick on a defenseman in Adam Larsson, it doesn't seem necessary to keep too many young players around. With his experience, Taormina could compete for a spot on any roster in the NHL, especially one that has a lot of questions.

While I understand that Taormina could never be traded straight-up for anything of value to the Devils in 2011, a package deal with other players or draft picks could produce a decent return on a 2nd- or 3rd-line scorer.

Matthew Corrente

For whatever reason, Corrente has never really been given a fair shot at the NHL, even after being New Jersey's first round selection in the 2006 Draft.

While that may seem like a good enough reason to think he will never amount to a success at the NHL level, Corrente could be an asset as a physical defenseman for a team in need.

While playing for the Lowell Devils—when they still existed—Corrente amassed 161 penalty minutes in 67 games during the 2008-09 season. To the average fan, penalties almost always seem like a bad thing, but every team needs a bruiser.

Corrente could surely fill that void.

Corrente was called up to help New Jersey for 12 games in the 2009-10 season, as well as for two playoff games that same year. He also played in 22 games last season for the Devils.

Unfortunately, it seems that things haven't panned out exactly like New Jersey had hoped, but that's not to say he couldn't be an asset to another club.

If there is a team looking to add a little attitude to their lineup, Corrente is the man for the job.