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While Lou Lamoriello hasn't committed to selling off at the trade deadline, the Devils are 13 points out of a playoff spot, so it's likely they'll be well out of the race come March.
Given where the team is at and their lack of youth - as well as high-end prospects in the system - it makes sense for New Jersey to sell off veteran assets in effort to restock the cupboards.
At the forefront of potential trade candidates is future Hall of Famer Jaromir Jagr, who is still a very, very good player at 42 years of age.
Most fans league-wide regard him as a good middle-six forward, who would be a nice depth add for a playoff run, but the reality is he's still a very good top-6 forward and capable 1st liner.
Note: chart from OwnThePuck.blogspot.ca.
Since the beginning of 2012, which is what those numbers take into account, Jagr has been near the top of the league in possession metrics, and is still producing points at a 1st line (or high-end 2nd line) rate.
He makes everyone he plays with better, too.
So what would Jagr fetch on the trade market?
Probably more than you think.
Jagr is still unquestionably a top-6 forward in terms of possession and production. Not to mention he has much experience as anyone for teams that value such qualities.
A couple years ago Jagr was dealt to Boston for a conditional pick that became a 1st rounder when the Bruins made it the Eastern Conference Final, and I think he'll fetch a similar return (2nd + average prospect or conditional 1st) this time around.
If you're expecting him to be moved for much less, you're probably kidding yourself. Again, by all numbers he's still unquestionably a top-6 forward, and it makes no sense for New Jersey to move him for anything less.
If teams are offering, say, a 3rd rounder, the Devils may as well just keep him, and try to re-sign him for next year, as he has more value to the team that a middle-round pick that will likely never make the NHL.
I don't think teams will have to empty the cupboards to bring him in, but the Devils aren't going to give him away.
They can't afford to.
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