The dog days of summer might be fully underway, but the New Jersey Devils still have work to do before the season begins. With key re-signings taken care of, the focus shifts to resolving their defensive logjam and adding another heavy hitter to their top six.
Their only offer sheet at the beginning of free agency was unsuccessful, so the hunt for a versatile depth forward continues. Nonetheless, recent moves have pointed the team in the right direction, leaving fans optimistic about a comeback 2026-27 campaign.
This installment of Devils News & Rumors spotlights Timo Meier’s youth hockey camp, a potential trade for Shane Wright, and unrestricted free agent (UFA) targets.
Timo Meier’s Youth Hockey Camp
Our first bit of news takes us all the way to Switzerland. In his hometown of Herisau, Meier hosted his annual youth hockey camp, which took place July 6-10. This marks the program’s seventh year, which he founded in an effort to give back to the community.
Partnered with RSP GmbH, Meier hit the ice with over 100 kids at Herisau Sports Center, helping the next generation of Swiss players foster their passion for the sport. The event featured eight on-ice sessions, focusing on skating, technique, and theory. Players also took part in specialized warm-ups, cool-downs, and off-ice training.
The program continues to gain recognition and expand its reach. This year, it featured players who traveled as far as California and Latvia, according to a social media post from work-shop Personal, one of the camp’s sponsors.
In a recent interview in Swiss German, Meier shared how much it meant to come back home and have the opportunity to coach young players in the same facility where he fell in love with hockey. He continues to make an impact both on and off the ice for the Devils.
Exploring a Trade for Shane Wright
On July 1, general manager Sunny Mehta tendered an offer sheet to Barrett Hayton. The Utah Mammoth had one week to either match it or receive a second-round draft pick in return, but they chose to match the deal. Now, the Devils will need to adjust their search for a depth center.
Wright is one possible trade target, entering the third and final year of his contract with the Seattle Kraken. There are a few reasons why a trade for Wright would make perfect sense. For starters, his cap hit is only $886,666, which puts him well within the Devils’ budget. And at just 22 years old, he still has a lot of room for improvement, notching 71 points within his first two full seasons in the NHL.
The Devils have already taken steps to bolster their bottom six, namely by acquiring Jesper Boqvist and Evan Rodrigues from the Florida Panthers. Wright could potentially serve as their third-line center, boosting secondary scoring without a high price tag.
According to a recent article from Elliotte Friedman, Wright is available, but the Kraken are demanding a fair return. His agent, Kurt Overhardt, confirmed that a move is in the cards for this summer, to a franchise “in need of a top young center.” Though the asking price is expected to be high, New Jersey has ample capital to acquire him, especially after receiving two first-round picks from the Calgary Flames for Simon Nemec.
Top Potential UFA Targets
The UFA market is notably thin, but the Devils can still make a splash before the summer ends. They have ample cap space to acquire a few more complementary pieces, and here are a few players who could have a positive impact.
The Devils have been linked to Vladimir Tarasenko in the past, but the veteran right wing could be the perfect top-six addition. Known for his goalscoring and playoff experience, he could slot into the lineup on the wing of Jack Hughes. Tarasenko successfully bounced back last season, putting up 23 goals and 47 points for the Minnesota Wild. Having another proven goal scorer would make the Devils a force to be reckoned with for 2026-27.
Another option worth exploring further is Philipp Kurashev, a versatile, bottom-six forward. In 43 games, he tallied seven goals and 13 assists last season, but the San Jose Sharks opted not to extend a qualifying offer. His previous contract had a $1.2 million cap hit, making him another affordable option for the Devils. It’s also worth noting that he played for Team Switzerland alongside Meier, Nico Hischier, and Jonas Siegenthaler at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
The Devils have a few options to pursue this offseason, but either way, they’ve already made countless improvements to their roster. All things considered, fans should be excited to see what Mehta has up his sleeve in the near future.
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