New Jersey Devils Linked to Significant Trade

The New Jersey Devils want to get over the hump this season, and in order to do so, general manager Tom Fitzgerald is going to have to make a significant trade.

By the sounds of it, expect to see a blockbuster move by the Devils at some point this season, and don't be surprised if they use some of their young assets on defense to acquire an impact, top-six forward. Beat writer James Nichols of New Jersey Hockey Now was on Daily Faceoff Live this week, and opened up about what to expect from the Devils this season.

Yeah, I think they’re okay holding on to them, but I would anticipate that they do make a big move at some point this season with the anticipation of not just making the playoffs but making some noise there, making a deeper run than they have before. I think they’ve been hoarding these assets for something. I don’t know what that is, what it looks like right now, but they’re going to certainly need something as the deadline approaches.

The Devils enter Saturday's matchup against the Pittsburgh Penguins with a 10-4-0 record, good for top spot in the Metropolitan Division. Fitzgerald has limited cap space to work with at the moment, but he's nt short on trade assets. The Devils own most of their draft picks in 2026, including their first-round pick, and have both their goaltenders locked up long term, opening up a potential deal of young goaltender Nico Daws. There's also young forward Dawson Mercer who has been involved in trade rumors throughout the past year, but the team would only move Mercer for a proven All-Star who is under team control for a few seasons.

Nazem Kadri is someone who has been linked to the Devils, and the same can be said about Nashville Predators' Ryan O'Reilly and Steven Stamkos. There's little doubt the Devils don't make a huge move this year, so don't be shocked to see the NHL's first blockbuster run through New Jersey.

Photo credit: Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images