While New Jersey Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald is “working the phones daily,” fans are speculating who might be the first to make a move out of Jersey. Ondrej Palat, the 34-year-old Czech forward, has been consistently brought up in talks of potential trades.
Palat is currently in the 3rd year of his 5-year, $30 million contract (6 million yearly) with the Devils. It is important to note that his contract included a bonus, as well as a modified No-Trade Clause, similar to Dougie Hamilton’s. This has proven significant as he has been able to have a large amount of control while potential trades are brought up.
Before his time in Jersey, Palat spent 10 seasons with the Tampa Bay Lightning after being drafted back in 2011, where he went in the seventh round as the 208th overall pick. In a span of 14 seasons in the NHL, Ondrej has scored 181 goals, 334 assists, and 515 points. With the Devils in particular, he has 38 goals, 54 assists, and 92 points. His best season was either the 2013-14 season, where he had 23 goals, 36 assists, and 59 points, or the 2014-15 season where he put up 16 goals and 47 assists, earning him 63 points (both with Tampa Bay).
Based on the reports, Palat may be one of the players Fitzgerald is looking to trade, primarily in hopes of regaining cap space. Along with this, allegedly, a few years ago, Fitzgerald was advised against offering Palat’s contract. It currently seems as if he is looking to fix that now by looking for a reasonable trade for Palat. Recently, The Associated Press quoted Fitzgerald saying about Palat: “his production isn’t where anybody envisioned it. But it was more the person, the experience to come in to help our young guys understand what winning looks like from his experience.”
When looking into what teams could be interested in a veteran from the Garden State, a recurring theme has been emerging. Many teams with the necessary cap space to take on a bigger contract, such as the Chicago Blackhawks, Anaheim Ducks, and San Jose Sharks, are definitely contenders to be Palat’s new home. Although unlikely, another possible option could be the Lightning, where after 4 years he could potentially reunite with his teammates back in Tampa. While this would be a power move as the team is looking for another veteran (also looking into Dougie Hamilton), a concern lies in their own cap space issues.
Ondrej Palat is definitely a player Devils fans do not want to see go. But with Tom Fitzgerald looking to make moves before the trade deadline, it is unlikely he will be finishing his season in New Jersey. With the Devils currently 6th in the Metropolitan Division, Fitzgerald will not be holding back with trying to put his team back in playoff contention. Tomorrow, the Devils face the Carolina Hurricanes at home, which could be the last time Palat wears red and black, so make sure to tune in.
