While the New Jersey Devils lost decisively against Our Hated Rivals today, Devils General Manager Ray Shero had a successful morning. As announced by the Devils, defenseman Ben Lovejoy was dealt to Dallas for defenseman Connor Carrick and a 2019 third round pick. Even nearly twelve hours later, this remains as a great trade by Shero.
Let’s take a step back. Shero turned a veteran, one-dimensional right-shooting defenseman and impending unrestricted free agent who was not likely to return to the Devils this Summer into a draft pick within the first three rounds and a NHL player who is about a decade younger, a right-shooting defenseman, and an impending restricted free agent.