Should the New Jersey Devils sign Johnathan Kovacevic now before he becomes too expensive?

We’re about to say goodbye to the second month of the New Jersey Devils season, and honestly, it’s been a very good time. The Devils were incredible in November, and that’s largely thanks to the play of their defense. The biggest surprise on defense came from one of the newest Devils, Johnathan Kovacevic.

Kovacevic was supposed to be the Devils’ seventh defenseman when the team traded him from the Montreal Canadiens, but he was immediately given a chance when we learned that Brett Pesce and Luke Hughes would miss the start of the season. He seized the opportunity and he hasn’t looked back.

Kovacevic was so good that he single-handedly sent both Seamus Casey and Simon Nemec to the AHL. He was dominant on a line with Jonas Siegenthaler, who once again looks like a dominant force.

Should the New Jersey Devils jump the gun and re-sign Johnathan Kovacevic?

With things going so well with Johnathan Kovecevic, the Devils have to ask themselves when the right time might be to re-sign him to an extension. Is it right now?

The Devils love to rush defenders’ extensions. They re-signed Jonas Siegenthaler before they needed to, and he signed for what many consider a discount. However, the Devils have two problems to contend with when it comes to a Kovacevic extension. There are actually three problems, but the third is: “Have we seen enough from Kovacevic to re-sign him?”, which is fair.

The real problem is the length of the contracts that currently apply to this defense. Siegenthaler and Dougie Hamilton are under contract until 2028. Brett Pesce is under contract until 2030. Brenden Dillon just received a three-year deal, and the Devils need to give Luke Hughes a massive contract this offseason. Can they afford to give another defender a long-term contract? We don’t think Kovacevic would accept a bridge deal since he is an unrestricted free agent in the offseason. The Devils were also allowed to pay Kovacevic below the league minimum this season. His cap hit is under $800,000. He will want to make up for the lost dollars.

Then there is the Casey and Nemec factor. The Devils signing Kovacevic would be solidifying their right side without even considering their two best prospects. It seems like a risk unless something happens with Hamilton this offseason. Nemec was an NHL player last season and Casey looked like one at the start of this season. They cannot afford to stay behind Kovacevic for long.

It’s a “good” problem to have, but the Devils are actually at a point where they have to wait out Kovacevic. If he continues to force the issue, the Devils will do what they have to do and make it clear to Nemec and Casey later. However, they still have time left for now, even if it costs them a few dollars later.