Devils Trade Rumors: 3 Players Involved in Ongoing Trade Talks

The New Jersey Devils are open for business, and even though they missed out on acquiring Quinn Hughes, trade talks continue around the team. General manager Tom Fitzgerald is looking to make several changes to his roster, and ideally, would love to add a top-nine center and top-four defenceman.

The Devils made a significant offer to the Vancouver Canucks for Hughes, however, the Canucks wanted a defenceman who played the left side of the ice, which was something the Devils couldn't keep up with against the Minnesota Wild. Talks broke off, and now Fitzgerald continues to float around the market to see what's available.

As far as trade candidates go off the Devils, Dawson Mercer, Simon Nemec, and Dougie Hamilton are three players to keep an eye on. Ondrej Palat has also has his named floated around some trade conversations, so don't be surprised if he's moved at some point this season. With the Olympic break coming in February, don't be surprised to see the Devils make a move prior to the roster freeze.

Mercer, 24, is an intriguing trade chip as he's still young and full of untapped potential. He's signed through next season at $4 million AAV, doesn't hold any trade protection, and still has team control past next season as a pending restricted free agent. Mercer's scored 11 goals and 26 points in 45 games for New Jersey, good for third on the team in scoring. He's certainly one player who could fetch an experienced center to help Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier down the middle of the Devils' ice.

Hamilton reportedly nixed a trade already, as he owns a 10-team no-trade list, meanwhile the veteran Palat, he's owed $6 million AAV this season and next, and also owns a 10-team no-trade list. 

Dawson Mercer’s name has been out there and New Jersey would make him available for a legit top 6 goal scorer. Also says Dougie Hamilton could have been moved this season but it wasn’t to a team on his trade list - David Pagnotta, Fourth Period

Keep an eye on New Jersey. Fitzgerald is working hard to make upgrades, and was recently linked to Steven Stamkos and Ryan O'Reilly from Nashville, but the Predators aren't selling anymore. Teams like the Winnipeg Jets, Calgary Flames, and Vancouver Canucks could emerge as trade partners.

Photo credit:  Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images