Johnathan Kovacevic won’t be leaving the New Jersey Devils before the 3 p.mm trade deadline. Kovacevic signed a five-year, $20 million extension on Friday, with an average annual value (AAV) of $4 million and a no-trade clause for the first two years.
This is Kovacevic’s first season with the Devils after New Jersey acquired him from the Montreal Canadiens during the offseason for a fourth-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. He has played in all 63 games so far this season with 1 goal and 14 points – one point shy of his career-high of 15 points set during the 2022-23 season.
He plays on the second pairing with Brett Pesce, and together, they have added solid depth to the Devils’ defense. With Dougie Hamilton still injured, Pesce will be heading to the top line with Luke Hughes for tonight’s matchup with the Winnipeg Jets. Kovacevic will make up the third pairing with Brian Dumoulin, acquired on Thursday from the Anaheim Ducks.
Kovacevic was in the final year of a three-year contract worth $2.3 million.
