NHL Trade Deadline: How the New Jersey Devils Can Improve Their Team

With one game left on the Devils' schedule before the NHL All-Star break, the team can be looking to make a few changes at the trade deadline.

After acquiring Alexei Ponikarovsky from the Carolina Hurricanes for defenseman Joe Sova and a fourth-round draft pick, the Devils' offense seems to be deep enough to produce for the rest of the season and playoffs. The team’s main focus, though, is defense.

Back in early December, the Devils did upgrade their defense when they acquired puck-moving defenseman Kurtis Foster from the Anaheim Ducks, but this still is not enough to help the team out with their recent struggles. Plagued by injury, the team has been without Andy Greene since early December and will be without Henrik Tallinder for the next six to eight weeks.

As of now, the defense is as follows:

Bryce Salvador – Mark Fayne

Anton Volchenkov – Kurtis Foster

Adam Larrson – Matt Taormina

That lineup does not seem to be subpar when it comes to defensive hockey, but the team is in desperate need of a puck-moving defenseman. Kurtis Foster adds to the offense inconsistently, and 19-year-old Adam Larrson is still not fully developed as an offensive defenseman quite yet. Mark Fayne and Matt Taormina have seen time on the power play, but these two both have not had enough NHL experience to bring offensive production on a daily basis.

So, how can they improve?

Putting the financial trouble the team is in aside, the Devils do actually have about $3 million in cap space to work with. Trading draft picks and/or prospects can land them a decent two-way defenseman from a team that is looking to rebuild or clear up some cap room.

But, Lou Lamoriello needs to be careful with his cap space if he wants to re-sign Zach Parise long-term. Maybe it would be best to free up some cap space. The depth of the Devils' active roster is not terrible, so packaging two players for an exceptional, puck-moving defenseman can be a good move. This will make some cap room for Parise and possibly land the Devils the defenseman that they are looking for.

Any thoughts as to who you want to see wearing a Devils jersey in the near future?

Follow me on twitter @abacon55 and let me know what you think.