Moore has played most of his career in the area and would like to stay a little longer.
John Moore played three seasons with the Devils as a solid all-around defenseman. The former Ranger isn’t flashy, but he can log heavy minutes and help out on a heavy forecheck.
The former Ranger was signed to a three-year contract on July 1, 2015, after the Arizona Coyotes declined to tender him a qualifying offer.
For a team that battled injuries all season, Moore was never really a concern. He played in a career-high 81 games, one of only four players to play at least 80 during the regular season (Nico Hischier was the only player on the Devils to play in all 82 contests), he played with a few different defense partners and he averaged 20 minutes of ice time. It was a solid season for the 27-year-old Moore, a player who has always been exactly that: Solid.
It’s the same word Moore used to describe himself, his season and the role he played for the Devils.
During his tenure in New Jersey, Moore has proven to have a little offensive upside. He may not be a true two-way player, but his 23 goals and 36 assists over three seasons with the Devils is a contribution you can’t discount.
But that’s not what he’s known for, he’s known as a guy who can chase around a top line and make life difficult for them. It’s what he did for the Rangers and it’s what he did for the Devils over three seasons.
Moore has had a variety of defense partners and his game never changes, regardless of who is skating with him, but his left-handed shot fits perfectly on the second pairing where the Devils had trouble finding some consistency with a myriad of right-handers.
Moore is about to be a free agent in July but has made it clear that he wants to stay in New Jersey and help the Devils continue to build something special. He’s played in the area for a number of years, he knows the division and knows what it takes to win.
He wants to play more than 81 games, which was a career-high, and he feels he can stay in good enough shape to do so. The younger players are exciting to play with and they can benefit from a player like Moore. The only problem is that there are a few other free agent defensemen who might be splashier and flashier than him, like John Carlson.
But if the Devils are looking to remain solid on the blue line, they could do worse than Moore.