There’s no doubt that today is shaping up to be a doozy in the NHL world. In a league with so much parity, 23 teams are either in a playoff spot or within six points of one. That should make for an exciting deadline.
While the New Jersey Devils are one of nine remaining teams that are further back, this deadline still carries extreme importance. With many talented players still under contract and in their prime, they’ll need to re-shape the rest of the roster to become a contender.
Related: 2026 NHL Trade Deadline Tracker
Seller‘s Market Can Benefit Devils
Just a few days ago, there were reports that it would be a buyer’s market. But as we’ve seen very quickly, that is far from the case. That bodes well for the Devils, who have been rumored to be taking calls on every defenseman except for Luke Hughes and Brett Pesce. Some names from the forward group like Paul Cotter and Dawson Mercer have also been thrown around.
It’s not necessarily that each player made available is because they’ve underperformed or can’t help the team win. As any team should, if a deal fits the Devils’ near-and-long-term plans better, they should absolutely approach it. And any assets gained could potentially be flipped when players will be cheaper in the offseason.
Here are some recent trades that show just how favorable of a market it is for sellers:
- The Utah Mammoth acquired MacKenzie Weegar ($6.25M AAV, 2031 UFA) from the Calgary Flames for Olli Maatta, Jonathan Castagna, a 2026 2nd round pick, a 2026 2nd round pick (NYR) and a 2026 2nd round pick (OTT).
- The Buffalo Sabres nearly acquired Colton Parayko ($6.5M AAV, 2030 UFA) from the St. Louis Blues in exchange for Radim Mrtka and a first-round pick. While the deal was agreed upon, Parayko refused to waive his no-trade clause.
- The Minnesota Wild acquired Michael McCarron ($900K AAV, 2026 UFA) from the Nashville Predators for a 2028 2nd round pick.
- The Colorado Avalanche acquired Nicolas Roy ($3M AAV, 2027 UFA) from the Toronto Maple Leafs for a 2027 1st round pick and a 2026 5th round pick
Here are some Devils players whose names have floated around, as well as their point production and contract, per PuckPedia:
- Dougie Hamilton: 57 GP | 9G, 16A (-5) / Becomes UFA after 2027-28 ($9M AAV)
- Dawson Mercer: 62 GP | 14G, 18A (+/- 0) / Becomes RFA after 2026-27 ($4M AAV)
- Jonas Siegenthaler: 62 GP | 0G, 7A (-12) / Becomes UFA after 2027-28 ($3.4M AAV)
- Brenden Dillon: 62 GP | 3G, 9A (-10) / Becomes UFA after 2026-27 ($4M AAV)
- Simon Nemec: 48 GP | 9G, 12A (+2) / Becomes RFA after 2025-26 ($918,333 AAV)
- Nick Bjugstad: 41 GP | 6G, 1A (-9)* (Only 6 GP with Devils) / Becomes UFA after 2026-27 ($1.75M AAV)
- Johnathan Kovacevic: 14 GP | 0G, 2A (-9) / Becomes UFA after 2029-30 ($4M AAV)
- Paul Cotter 59 GP | 6G, 5A (-16) / Becomes RFA after 2025-26 ($775K AAV)
Based upon some of these deals, the Devils could certainly stockpile some valuable assets, especially since many of the players they’re taking calls on have term. Hamilton and Nemec specifically will be intriguing to watch, as they certainly hold value but it’s not super clear how other teams view them.
Furthermore, since so many aforementioned players have years left, the Devils are in an advantageous position where they don’t have to deal a player unless the return is clearly worthy.
As a brief side note, earlier today, Elliotte Friedman reported that Simon Nemec switched his agent, leaving Creative Artists Agency (CAA). Per PuckPedia, he’s now represented by Craig Oster of Newport.
Amidst very contentious times amongst the Devils’ fanbase, general manager Tom Fitzgerald is given the opportunity to right the ship. We’ll see what the Devils decide to do as the day goes on.
Stay tuned to The Hockey Writers for all Trade Deadline coverage.
