Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald highlights one key area team will look to upgrade ahead of trade deadline

The New Jersey Devils are looking to improve their team before the NHL trade deadline. General Manager Tom Fitzgerald discussed his plans with Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic on Friday, saying he aims to add depth and bolster the lineup for the playoffs.

“Somebody that can come in and maybe give us that extra oomph — and maybe properly slot people to make us a strong, four-line team come playoff time,” Fitzgerald said. “And build depth because of injuries. And build competition, too. We love what we have. I just really want to add on top of that.”

The Devils have had a mixed season so far, with a 26-15-6 record and 58 points, placing them at No. 2 in the Metropolitan Division. However, they trail the Washington Capitals by seven points for the top spot.

Recent performances have been inconsistent, with the Devils winning only two of their last nine games. They lost a close 4-3 overtime game to the Maple Leafs on Thursday and a 2-1 shootout to the Panthers on Tuesday. Wins against the Tampa Bay Lightning and Seattle Kraken were bright spots during this tough stretch.

Fitzgerald is focused on adding depth, especially at the center, and shows the team’s commitment to improving.

“When you look at how many players can play other positions, you can’t have enough centers. You just can’t.” Fitzgerald said.

Offensively, New Jersey has strong contributors. Jack Hughes leads the team with 55 points, including 18 goals and 37 assists. Nico Hischier is the top goal scorer with 22 goals, including eight on the power play. Their special teams have also been solid, ranking No. 3 in power play percentage and No. 10 in penalty kill percentage.

Despite their offensive strengths, the team has struggled with consistency. Their defense has shown weaknesses, and recent losses highlight the need for improvement. The team scores an average of 3.11 goals per game.

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The New Jersey Devils lost a close game to the Maple Leafs.

The New Jersey Devils lost 4-3 in overtime to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Jack Hughes scored first at 2:21 of the opening period, beating Joseph Woll with a backhand.

William Nylander tied it 1-1 in the second period with a blocker-side shot. Nico Hischier made it 2-1 for New Jersey at 8:14, scoring on a power play. Auston Matthews tied the game 2-2 at 7:43 of the third on the power play. Hischier scored again at 9:44 to give the Devils a 3-2 lead. Matthews tied it 3-3 at 15:47 with a sharp-angle shot. Nylander scored the overtime winner to secure the win.