James Nichols
Jack Hughes did enough to endear himself again to the New Jersey Devils faithful by showing out at the Olympics. Then, he scored the golden goal. And amid his wild success last month, when he returned, he expressed his devotion to the Devils, which certainly put everyone’s mind at ease given the Quinn HUghes debacle earlier this year.
Now, Michael Russo explains how the Minnesota Wild GM is prepping for his next big swing. Could it be Auston Matthews? More on that below, but if it is, Devils fans need no longer worry about Jack springing for Minnesota to play with Quinn if that happens.
Also, the new record Hughes holds in New Jersey.
Elsewhere, Evgeni Malkin’s contract update, Artemi Panarin’s broadway return, and the World Cup of Hockey has three host cities.
Devils Trade Rumors & News
New Jersey Hockey Now: Amid a thrilling overtime win thanks to some heroics from Paul Cotter, Jack Hughes sets a new Devils franchise record en route to a 4-3 victory over the Bruins.
If you missed it, here’s the thriller overtime goal by Cotter.
Here’s Paul Cotter‘s hilarious intel on his shootout winner, and his thought process while one-one-one with Joonas Korpisalo.
📺 Devils Rink Report: Is Tom Fitzgerald on the hot seat, or did his comments at the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline make it feel like he’s actually not going anywhere? Pasha Eshghi joined me on the latest Devils Rink Report to discuss what the GM has to do to turn the heat down on him if he is, in fact, back next season.
Full episode here 👇🏼 Watch the full Devils Rink Report here:
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NHL Trade Talk, News & National Hockey Now
The Athletic ($): It’s amazing to me that the United States just swept gold at the Olympics in all three of men’s, women’s, and paralympic sled hockey, and yet, the World Cup of Hockey will be hosted exclusively outside of America. In 2028, the NHL announced yesterday that the host cities will be in Calgary, Edmonton, and Prague.
More Athletic ($): Perhaps Devils fans would feel a sense of relief if this happened. Could Minnesota Wild GM Bill Guering pursue Auston Matthews this summer? Guerin is seemingly setting up for his next superstar swing, and something has to give in Toronto. Certainly, that would put Jack Hughes out of reach for the Wild, and Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald has no desire to move his franchise face anyway. More inside from Michael Russo.
Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Evgeni Malkin doesn’t seem all that worried about a potential next contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Here’s why.
Forever Blueshirts: In his return to Madison Square Garden to face the New York Rangers, Artemi Panarin dished one assist in the Los Angeles Kings’ 4-1 win.
