Ray Shero, hired as Devils general manager May 4, 2015, said he and his staff will determine the next phase in building a winner over the next few weeks.
There are several top players scheduled to become unrestricted free agents July 1, including two with New Jersey ties: Washington Capitals defenseman John Carlson and Toronto Maple Leafs forward James van Riemsdyk.
Carlson, 28, was born in Natick, Massachusetts but grew up in Colonia, New Jersey. He played for the New Jersey Rockets of the Atlantic Youth Hockey League for two seasons before joining the Indiana Ice of the United States Hockey League.
Van Riemsdyk, 28, was born in Middletown, New Jersey. He played two seasons for Christian Brothers Academy (Lincroft, New Jersey) and USA Hockey's National Team Development Program.
"In 2015-16, we could have signed older players to move us a little bit, but it didn't make any sense to me," Shero said. "I don't want to be in year three or four knowing we've got these contracts that we don't want or need. We want to build internally, create a culture and foundation, but we'll see where we are and talk about potential trades and free agents.
"[Spending to the NHL salary cap] has never been a question. But from a team standpoint, that would put us in a world of hurt. That's not the way of building a team."
Shero wouldn't confirm the Devils would be in the market for a defenseman. They acquired defenseman Sami Vatanen from the Anaheim Ducks in a trade for forward Adam Henrique on Nov. 30.