The New Jersey Devils acquired a depth ahead in Curtis Lazar from the Vancouver Canucks for a 2024 fourth spherical decide. This put up reacts to the commerce and explains a bit about what sort of participant Lazar is.
The New Jersey Devils made an enormous commerce on Sunday in bringing in Timo Meier. As such, the expectations for the 2023 NHL Trade Deadline Day for New Jersey weren’t excessive. Maybe they’d add some depth gamers for the roster if something. They did simply that earlier than midday. As initially reported by Darren Dreger, the New Jersey Devils acquired Curtis Lazar from the Vancouver Canucks for a fourth spherical decide in 2024. Vancouver lastly discovered some cap aid after refusing to deal J.T. Miller and his pending horrible contract extension.
Who is Curtis Lazar?
Curtis Lazar is a depth ahead. He is 28, he’s listed at 6’0” and 211 kilos, and he’s underneath contract for $1 million per season via to 2024-25 per CapFriendly. According to NHL.com, Lazar has performed in 45 video games this season, scored two targets, credited for 3 assists, taken 54 photographs on internet, and averages 12:10 of ice time per sport. The ice time and manufacturing match with somebody who performs in a backside six-role. With 258 faceoffs taken, Lazar seems to have performed some heart for the Canucks however not rather a lot. He received 134 of them, so he’s not dangerous at it this season, however hardly distinctive like, say, Michael McLeod. He is a right-handed shot so when he’s not a middle, he can play proper wing. The majority of his ice time this season has been at even power, however with 49:11 of shorthanded ice time this season, he has been used on a secondary penalty killing unit. It is feasible that he may very well be used equally when shorthanded. A fast take a look at his profession totals present a participant who has been a depth ahead for just about his entire NHL profession. Plus, New Jersey is the sixth crew he’ll play for in his profession as he was drafted by Ottawa earlier than being a Flame, a Sabre, a Bruin, and a Canuck.
In phrases of what he brings to the desk in 5-on-5 conditions, it doesn’t seem he pushes the play ahead. His 5-on-5 on-ice charges at Natural Stat Trick have constantly been under 50% in Corsi%. It has been higher for anticipated targets share. However, he has been not good in Vancouver this season with a 43.16% CF% and a forty five.6% xGF%. Why? In Dr. Micah Blake McCurdy’s summation of his sport, Lazar simply doesn’t do offense.
That would hinder the 5-on-5 on-ice charges which might be pushed by offensive play. Fortunately for Lazar, he goes from a a not-good, not-that-offensive Vancouver crew to a significantly better, far more offensive New Jersey Devils crew. Given his utilization as a 3rd or fourth liner, the Devils can most likely dwell with him being a man to fill issues out or assist settle a sport down. Which is what Curtis Lazar is: a depth participant.
What Does this Mean for the Devils?
In phrases of the fee paid, not rather a lot. A fourth spherical decide subsequent 12 months just isn’t value very a lot. As Lazar prices $1 million to the cap, this transfer would be the just one made immediately because the Devils have simply $260,000 left to spend to the cap ceiling. Unless a future transfer entails the Devils giving somebody on the books up.
In phrases of the roster, this is a little more fascinating. Head coach Lindy Ruff has not been notably happy together with his backside two traces all through the season, resulting in some bench shortenings and a cycle of scratches which have included, at one level or one other, Nathan Bastian, Fabian Zetterlund, Jesper Boqvist, and Alexander Holtz. Holtz is in Utica, Zetterlund was traded to San Jose within the Meier commerce, and Boqvist and Bastian have seemingly bought again into the coaches’ good graces. Bastian specifically has finished nicely after a few video games within the scratch suite with targets in back-to-back video games. Lazar’s arrival will imply one in all them should sit. Something that was certain to occur anyway with Meier’s eventual on-ice debut. I don’t suppose Tom Fitzgerald makes this deal only for Lazar to take a seat round. Hopefully, this can be a participant that Ruff will use repeatedly when Lazar is within the lineup. That can be as much as Lazar assembly no matter is anticipated of him.
There can be a long term impression than simply the following two months. Lazar is signed for the following two seasons. The Devils have plenty of forwards up for brand new contracts after this season. Several of whom play on a 3rd or fourth line. Miles Wood and Erik Haula are pending unrestricted free brokers. Yegor Sharangovich (he was within the backside six till not too long ago), Michael McLeod, Boqvist, and Bastian are pending restricted free brokers. Should Lazar are available and present he can do an honest job on a 3rd or fourth line, then the Devils wouldn’t must re-sign all of these gamers. Bastian, specifically, stands out as Lazar principally performs his place and will play his function on the crew albeit with 4 fewer inches in peak and possibly ten fewer kilos. I’m not saying Lazar is a Bastian alternative, but when anybody has a cause to be involved, then it could be him. Of course, if Lazar can play on his offhand, then you possibly can increase that fear to Wood. My level is that the Devils buying and selling for Lazar might result in a later transaction down the road. Provided that Lazar does an honest job.
That is an enormous if. After all, that is his sixth crew and he’s not even 30 years previous but. That says to me that he’s adequate to be within the league however not adequate to stay round anyone group. Given his low-cost wage, the Devils would have the ability to transfer him sooner or later if it doesn’t work out. But for the following 22 video games, Lazar may have alternatives to make it work out. We shall see what occurs.
Your Take
The Devils made a small commerce for a depth ahead in Curtis Lazar. What do you consider the commerce? Do you suppose Lazar will slot in nicely with the Devils? Will this be the Devils’ solely transfer of the day? Please go away your solutions and different ideas about this commerce within the feedback. Thank you for studying.
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