NHL Trade Rumors: 5 Best Fits For Ryan McDonagh

4. New Jersey Devils

Why they’re a good fit: The New Jersey Devils defense hasn’t been very good this season. Anytime John Moore is averaging just under 20 minutes of playing time per game, you know you’ve got issues. Ryan McDonagh would give them a top pairing defenseman, putting Andy Greene into a more appropriate second or third pairing role.

As far as cap space, the Devils have more than enough of it. They’re one of the very few contenders who could feasibly re-sign him after next season and still be in really good shape. When the casual fan thinks of the Devils, the first thing that comes to their mind is that annoying trap. So it’s kind of ironic New Jersey has more talent on offense than defense.

Why they’re not: The Devils aren’t a direct rival of the Rangers like the Islanders are. But still, they’re close enough to one that the blue shirts probably don’t want to trade McDonagh to them. Unlike the Islanders, the Devils probably don’t have what the Rangers are looking for.

Likelihood: McDonagh’s chances of being traded to New Jersey are slightly better than being traded to the Isles. But not by much. It’s still not likely, although it’s close to plausible.