James Nichols
Welcome to our LIVE New Jersey Devils trade tracker on deadline day!
It’s NHL trade deadline day, and the Devils are quietly in the mix, especially regarding their blueline.
The Devils are seventh in the Metropolitan Division, and are likely to miss the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
However, the latest Devils trade buzz indicates that general manager Tom Fitzgerald is interested in making “hockey trades.” What does that mean?
As of Friday morning, ALL healthy Devils were on the ice for practice. That includes some of the latest names in the rumor mill, to be named later.
Let’s get into what we know so far.
Devils Adds Thus Far
Fitzgerald was active ahead of the NHL Trade Deadline, making deals to bring in Maxim Tsyplakov from the New York Islanders and Nick Bjugstad from the St. Louis Blues.
The only significant subtraction to this point is Ondrej Palat who went to the Islanders in the Tsyplakov deal.
Devils Waive Three, One Claimed
Yesterday, the Devils waived three players. Evgenii Dadonov, Luke Glendening, and Maxim Tsyplakov are all on the waivers until 2 P.M. today eastern.
At 2 P.M. on Friday, Luke Glendening was claimed by the Philadelphia Flyers. Maxim Tsyplakov and Evgeni Dadonov clear.
More here on the Devils salary cap implications based on the waived trio of players.
Simon Nemec
Simon Nemec‘s name is at the forefront of Devils trade rumors.
Multiple reports, including New Jersey Hockey Now’s own, indicate that the Devils are open to moving Nemec in a deal that will significntly upgrade the Devils’ top-six.
A winger for Jack Hughes’ wing has been a longstanding void, however, Pierre LeBrun indicated on Thursday that the Devils are hoping to bring in a top-six center.
Dougie Hamilton
The indication is that the Devils would like to solve this by the deadline, but trading Dougie Hamilton has proven to be difficult.
Hamilton is due a $7.4 million signing bonus on July 1st, which is hampering Fitzgerald’s ability to move the defenseman.
Hamilton also carries a $9 million cap hit on a contract that carries two more years on it after 2025-26.
Remaining Devils Blueline
The Devils have made every defenseman not named Luke Hughes and Brett Pesce available.
We’ll see if this goes anywhere, but Brenden Dillon is a name to watch. He owns a full no-move clauses, however, that downgrades to a 10-team no-trade list on July 1st.
I spoke with Johnathan Kovacevic after the Devils left the ice following Friday’s practice. Despite his name being out there, he tells New Jersey Hockey Now he has no intention of waiving his full trade protection, and wants to remain playing for the Devils.
Jonas Siegenthaler is another name to watch. His favorable $3.4 million cap hit with two years remaining on his deal is certainly attractive to inquiring clubs.
Devils Forward Trade Candidates
It’s been relatively quiet on the Cody Glass front, however, the center market is scoring.
With the prices being paid for centers—all of which are not nearly as good as Glass—have fetched big returns, such as Nicolas Roy who went to the Colorado Avalanche for a 2027 top-10 protected first-round pick and a conditional 2026 fifth-round pick.
Makes you wonder what the Devils would get for Glass.
Nick Bjugstad and Paul Cotter are other forward names to watch leading up to today’s 3 P.M. trade deadline.
Keep it here for our LIVE Devils trade tracker that will be updated as the day unfolds.
