James Nichols
There’s plenty of reasons for Sunny Mehta to smile today. The feeling should be mutual for New Jersey Devils fans.
The Mehta era rang in last night and there’s lots of excitement for what comes next. The Wycoff, New Jersey native comes home to (hopefully) breathe new life into a desirable roster to inherit.
Devils media will meet with Mehta on Tuesday at 3 P.M. for his introductory press conference. And then the real work begins.
In the links, a bit on Mehta’s background in the news story of his hire. Also, Dougie Hamilton’s uncertain future.
Elsewhere, frustration in Carolina, Toronto’s captain vague, and Long Island’s fork in the road.
Devils Trade Rumors & News
New Jersey Hockey Now: We haven’t heard from Dougie Hamilton in four months. The last public comments he made was exclusively to New Jersey Hockey Now, side-stepping the question on whether he was asked to waive his no-trade clause or not. Since then, he’s turned down requests on multiple occassions, including exit interviews. Clock’s ticking on his time in New Jersey.
The man who is going to help make the decision on what happens with Hamilton has been named. The Devils hired Sunny Mehta last night as the next general manager in New Jersey. They got their guy.
And what a first message to the fans. Talk about swagger:
📺 Devils Rink Report: Of course, we went LIVE with the instant reaction to the Mehta hire on the latest Devils Rink Report.
Full episode here 👇🏼
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NHL Trade Talk, News & National Hockey Now
Forever Blueshirts: It was no fun this season on this side of the Hudson, but it was quite disappointing on the other side as well. Here are the five New York Rangers most anticipated to speak at exit interviews.
The Athletic ($): The Minnesota Wild were dangling Jesper Wallstedt at the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline. Sounds crazy, but that’s because they have to legitimate NHL goaltenders. Now, they face another crucial decision on who starts Game 1 in the playoffs.
Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Here’s what Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby thinks on facing the hated Philly faithful in the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
San Jose Hockey Now: Macklin Celebrini is so good, man. He’s already broken a record previously held by San Jose Sharks legend Joe Thornton.
Florida Hockey Now: Everyone in the Florida Panthers locker room and front office want Sergei Bobrovsky to stay. Can the Cats get it done?
NYI Hockey Now: With the New York Islanders‘ season coming to a crashing end, a lot of questions come with it. Will their captain, Anders Lee, be back next season?
Toronto Hockey Now: On his future with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Auston Matthews keeps it vague.
Carolina Hockey Now: Jesperi Kotkaniemi hasn’t quite worked out the way the Carolina Hurricanes had hoped. However, he’s showing pointed frustration at Rod Brind’Amour about the role the head coach has him playing.
