The New Jersey Devils have made it clear that the plan is to improve their
roster from within the organization for 2018-19. Even though that';s the case,
there are a couple of needs they could address through a professional tryout
(PTO). They';ve gotten productivity from them in the past, with Lee Stempniak
being one example in 2015-16. Here are five free agents that should interest
the Devils as PTOs as they move closer to training camp.Toby Enstrom
(Defenseman)

Enstrom had an injury-riddled 2017-18. He played in 43 games, which was his
lowest since he played in 22 during the lockout-shortened 2012-13 season. He
finished the year with six points, 31 shots on goal, and averaged a career-low
17:02 in ice time.

Enstrom';s stats don';t look great on the surface, but his underlying numbers
tell a different story. The Jets had a 52.34 Corsi For (CF%) and a 59.37%
expected goals for (xGF%) when he was on the ice in 2017-18. He also had a
significant positive impact, finishing with a relative Corsi For (Rel CF%) of
3.14% and a relative expected goals for (Rel xGF%) of 9.12%.Toby Enstrom is
looking to rebound after an injury-plagued 2017-18. (Amy Irvin / The Hockey
Writers)

He may not provide offense like he once did, but Enstrom';s still solid on
defense. He most likely won';t be asked to play a top pair role for the Devils
but would fit in well as a second or third pair defenseman. The Devils lack
depth from their left-handed defensemen, which Enstrom would help provide. If
he performs well during the preseason, and his health checks out, he';d be
worth a short-term deal.Nick Shore (Center)

Shore has bounced around a bit. He started 2017-18 with the Los Angeles Kings
before ending up with the Ottawa Senators as a part of the Dion Phaneuf trade.
He ended the season with the Calgary Flames after being acquired at the trade
deadline. The 25-year-old center finished with 19 points in 64 games, which
comes out to a 24 point pace over an 82-game season.

Shore has put together good results at five-on-five, even though the point
totals haven';t been there. He had a positive impact on his team';s shot rates
when on the ice, finishing with a Rel CF% of 2.78% and a Rel xGF% of 5.89% in
2017-18. He also suppressed shots at a rate of 52.94 shot attempts against per
60 minutes (SAA/60).

The Devils are in pretty good shape at center with Nico Hischier, Pavel Zacha,
Travis Zajac, and Brian Boyle. They also have prospects like Michael McLeod who
 are trying to break through at the position. It still wouldn';t hurt to bring
in Shore on a PTO. He';d be a better option as a bottom-six forward rather than
 having a rookie log poor minutes. He';s also a solid penalty-killer, which
should attract the attention of Devils head coach John Hynes.Brandon Davidson
(Defenseman)

Like Shore, Davidson has moved around from team to team. The 26-year-old has
played for the Edmonton Oilers, Montreal Canadiens, and New York Islanders
since entering the league in 2014-15 and played for all three in 2017-18. He
finished this past season with seven points (four goals, three assists) in 51
games.Brandon Davidson could prove a solid depth addition on defense for the
Devils. (Photo by Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports)

There';s almost no offense to Davidson';s game, but he has decent results at
five-on-five. He finished the season with a CF% of 50.68% and an xGF% of 52.73%
 when on the ice. He had a neutral impact on shot rates, finishing with a Rel
CF% of 0.54% and a Rel xGF% of minus-0.5%. Davidson is also a decent penalty
killer and suppresses shots at a high level when down a man.

Davidson isn';t anything more than a sixth or seventh defenseman. The Devils
could bring him in to compete with Mirco Mueller and Steven Santini, both of
whom will be competing for those spots. He';d be a decent depth addition to the
 roster. However, the team would be better suited bringing in Enstrom if
they';re looking for someone who could play a more significant role.Related:
Devils Need a Healthy JohanssonAles Hemsky (Right Wing)

Hemsky has been the victim of the injury bug over the last two seasons. After
playing in 75-plus games in each season from 2013 to 2016, he';s only played in
 22 since. He missed all but seven games of 2017-18 after suffering a
concussion at the beginning of the season.

There isn';t much use in looking at Hemsky';s advanced stats given the lack of
ice time over the last two seasons. What matters is his health and whether
he';s clear of any concussion-like symptoms. If his health checks out, there
may be an opportunity with the Devils if he wants to continue his playing
career.Ales Hemsky could be looking for one last chance to play in the NHL.
(Photo by Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports)

The Devils depth at right-wing is a question mark heading into camp. Kyle
Palmieri is a legitimate top-six talent, but the scoring options below him are
limited. The team would probably prefer to fill an open spot at right wing with
 a prospect like Joey Anderson or Blake Speers. At the very least, Hemsky could
 spur some competition with the team';s young players. If he performs well and
is healthy, he could help add offense for a minimal price tag.Tomas Jurco (Left
 Wing)

The Devils strongest position up front is at left wing. They have Taylor Hall,
Marcus Johansson, Miles Wood, and Blake Coleman. They also have Jesper Bratt,
who can play either left or right wing. It may not seem like there';s a spot
for the former Chicago Blackhawk, but Jurco could fit in as a depth option.

Jurco doesn';t provide much offense, but he has held his own at five-on-five.
The Blackhawks put up a 51.15% CF% and a 51.6% xGF% when he was on the ice over
 his last 58 games played. He also had a positive impact on his team';s shot
rates, finishing with a Rel CF% of 1.33% and a Rel xGF% of 3.21%.

Just like his time with the Blackhawks, Jurco would not be a regular for the
Devils. However, he';d be a better option as a 13th forward rather than having
a prospect remain a healthy scratch on a consistent basis. There may not be
much offense from him, but he';s capable of playing at the NHL level and would
help provide bottom-six depth for a small cost.*    *    *Advanced stats
from Corsica Hockey

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