Devils acquire Marc Savard's contract from Panthers

The Florida Panthers have traded the contract of Marc Savard and a 2018 second-round draft pick to the New Jersey Devils  for minor leaguer forwards Graham Black and Paul Thompson.

The 27-year-old Thompson has played three games in the NHL and had 35 points in 56 games last season with Albany of the AHL. Black was drafted in the fifth-round by New Jersey in 2012 and had nine points in 50 games with Albany last season.

The decision to add Savard’s contract is likely to help New Jersey reach the salary cap floor. The Devils have $43.6 million tied into 30 contracts for next season according to the website General Fanager. This past season the floor was at $52.8 million. 

The Devils also have nine pending unrestricted free agent deals falling off their roster including Patrik Elias’ contract of $5.5 million per-year and Tuomo Ruutu’s contract of $4.75 million per-year. The 40-year-old Elias reportedly wants to play another year for the Devils, but it’s assumed it would be for a lesser salary cap hit.

The Devils have one major restricted free agent in Kyle Palmieri who will probably get a big raise off his $1.467 million per-year contract. Palmieri scored 30 goals last season.

Savard’s salary cap hit is $4,027,143 but his contract is worth $575,000 through next season.

He suffered two concussions nine months apart and has not played in the NHL since February of 2011.

Last summer the Panthers acquired Savard with Reilly Smith from the Boston Bruins in exchange for Jimmy Hayes.

The move was to help the Panthers reach the salary cap floor this past season. Florida has just five pending unrestricted free agents and must re-sign young forward Vincent Trocheck off his entry-level deal this offseason. They have about $50.566 million tied into 36 contracts next season according to General Fanager.

Jonathan Huberdeau ($3.25 million) Smith ($3.45 million) and Aaron Ekblad (entry-level) are all pending restricted free agents the following summer and will likely command raises

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