Discussing Brett Pesce's Fit in New Jersey

New Jersey Devils General Manager Tom Fitzgerald has had a busy offseason. However, things are about to kick into high gear with free agency beginning on July 1.

One of the more prominent names on the market linked to the team in Newark is Brett Pesce, a former Carolina Hurricanes defenseman who is set to become a free agent.

After the Upper Deck NHL Entry Draft, there's plenty of room for Pesce on the back end since Fitzgerald traded John Marino , who served as one of the top-four defenders for the past two seasons.

Two weeks ago, Kevin Bahl was dealt away to the Calgary Flames for new number-one goalie Jacob Markstrom.

Even though Dougie Hamilton will return to the lineup, Brendan Smith will pursue free agency, meaning there's another spot to fill with a new name, possibility Brenden Dillion?

Ultimately, the Devils lineup will look quite different on opening night, and seeing Pesce in red and black is another step towards contending for another Stanley Cup title.

Pesce's Role in New Jersey

Pesce played nine seasons with the Hurricanes, scoring 198 points and 159 assists in 627 games.

He's averaged 21:05 a night throughout his career and routinely blocks 106 shots a season. Although Pesce is nowhere near a physical defender, he has a positive takeaway/giveaway ratio of plus-145.

As someone who can be deployed in critical situations, he's not a liability for coughing up the puck and is willing to put his body on the line to make a play.

Pesce's statistics from 2023-24 broke down like this: 70 games, three goals, 10 assists, plus-10, 20 penalty minutes, 107 shots, 20:17 of ice time, with 113 blocks, 25 hits, 35 takeaways and 18 giveaways.

Now, with Bahl (82 games) and Marino (75 games) leaving, Pesce would replace their production and serve the team in other ways, becoming one of the team's top penalty killers.

For instance, the two players (Bahl and Marino) were a combined minus-5 with 120 shots, just 13 more than one player had on his own.

Although Pesce won't fill the physical void left by Bahl (151 hits), he's more than capable of blocking shots, which was more than the two departing defenders achieved in more games.

Regarding ice time, Pesce can step right in and play anywhere from 20 to 22 minutes a night, a number Bahl (17:24) never reached, and Marino (20:57) hovered around.

If he signs a long-term deal in New Jersey, Pesce's health will be considered at 29, soon to be 30 in November.

He missed 12 games in 2023-24 and most of the Stanley Cup playoffs after suffering a fractured fibula in the opening series game against the New York Islanders .

However, the Devils appear to be interested in only a few players in free agency, and Pesce is at the top of the list.

There are plenty of things to like about his game and the positive impact he can have in the dressing room and on the ice.

Whether he ends up in Newark will depend on cost, term, and whether Fitzgerald has another move up his sleeve. Yet, fans should be anxious to see Pesce jerseys at the Prudential Center this fall.