James Nichols
The 2026 NHL Trade Deadline is under a week away. The New Jersey Devils are out of playoff position and are likely gearing up for next season.
After all, it is in GM Tom Fitzgerald’s DNA to prepare in the Spring to retool in the Summer. It’s what he did when he acquired Jake Allen two deadlines ago.
With seemingly no indication Fitzgerald isn’t making the decisions, he will proceed as if he is going to be thre man in charge at the 2026 NHL Draft and on July 1st.
Despite few players on expiring contracts, the Devils still have value to move next Friday with some short-term deals with favorable cap hits.
We won’t guess on players such as Brenden Dillon and Johnathan Kovacevic who own full no-move clauses. Although they could waive, we’re just not sure that happens.
And the Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier‘s of New Jersey aren’t going anywhere. Yet, there are parts on the Devils that will be coveted by Friday.
Here’s a mix of what we are hearing on certain players, mixed with some hunches based on opposing team needs.
So, who could be on the move?
Dougie Hamilton
To Detroit Red Wings
Rasmus Andersson recently netted the Calgary Flames defenseman Zach Whitecloud, Abram Wiebe, a first-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft, and a 2nd-round pick in 2028.
Except, Andersson’s trade protetions is far less limited than Dougie Hamilton‘s. A six-team no-trade list as opposed to Hamilton’s 10-team trade list Thus, expect a smaller package in return.
The Detroit Red Wings would certainly like to shore up their right side as they’re in playoff position and looking to solidify themselves as a playoff threat. Behind Moritz Seider, it’s a bit thin.
Seider isn’t exactly a power play specialist. Perhaps Hamilton could upgrade the Detroit man advantage whether he takes Seider’s place, or sets up at the left circle in tandem.
The Red Wings have the cap space to make it happen, too, with $12,778,692 in their pocket. The Devils wouldn’t even have to retain.
Hamilton won’t net someone like a Simon Edvinsson. Don’t even go there.
Could the Devils pry Axel Sandin-Pellikka, however? With perhaps draft compensation attached? After all, Hamilton is still seen as a top-pairing defenseman with a booming shot that any power play would covet. And the Red Wings are ripe with young blueliners like Sieder, Edvinsson, and Jacob Bernard-Docker.
Detroit seems like a fit for Hamilton as a team that looks like they’re going to the postseason and could be back for the duration of his contract. Why wouldn’t he approce a move to Motor City?
Cody Glass
To Edmonton Oilers
The Edmonton Oilers are in the market for a third-line center.
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins has moved to the wing, and it seems like he’s comfortable there, and Kris Knobloch likes having him there.
Thus, they want to reel in a center with size and speed.
Cody Glass fits the bill. A center core going into the playoffs of Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and Glass with Adam Henrique and Curtis Lazar to interchange on the fourth line is strong.
The Oilers don’t have a first-round pick this year. But for a 20-goal, third line defenseman, Glass could probably net one. Perhaps next years is on the table with McDavid’s thirst to win—especially after an Olympic loss.
If Kiefer Sherwood and Mason Marchment net second-round picks-plus, then Glass as a center should net a bit more for playing a premium position. Besides, an Oilers first-round pick could be as close to a second round pick as it gets.
Otherwise, perhaps a bubble NHLer like Isaac Howard could be had in a deal.
Jonas Siegenthaler
To Buffalo Sabres
The Buffalo Sabres!
Who would have guessed the Lindy Ruff-led Sabres were postseason bound?
Well, Ruff certainly knows Jonas Siegenthaler, and he’s look a lot better on the third pair in Buffalo over Zach Metsa.
The Sabres have A TON of young talent that could be of interest to the Devils.
Zach Benson, Jack Quinn, Jiri Kulich, Konsta Helenius. There’s not going to be room for all of these guys in Buffalo.
Siegenthaler would provide the Sabres with a steady presence on the blueline to compliment their offensive defensmen such as Bowen Byram, Rasmus Dahlin, and—to a degree—Owen Power.
The familiarity with Ruff is a reason for the former Devils head coach to advocate for him. There’s a match there.
Dawson Mercer
To Utah Mammoth
The Utah Mammoth are looking for a top-nine forward with term.
Dawson Mercer is in the second year of a three-year contract that keeps him a restricted free agent. Thus, he’s under control for at lest the next three seasons.
Mercer is an upgrade over a few forwards in Utah who are probably playing higher in the Mammoth lineup than they should be.
Jack McBain and Kailer Yamamoto are fine players, but Mercer can offer more offensive flair, while providing the two way game that would open up the ice for the Dylan Guenther’s, Clayton Keller’s, and Logan Cooley’s in Utah.
What don’t the Mammoth have in terms of compensation? They own all but their 2026 selection, plus multiple second and third round picks.
But, Mercer is young enough and touted enough that he can reel in something significant.
I’m not sure Utah is willing to part with a Tij Iginla. Perhaps Danil But, however, would be on the table.
But is a towering 6-foot-5, 203 lbs. Certainly, the Devils could use more size on the wings, and But brings that element. And he’s already shown some promise at the NHL level with three goals and seven points in 28 games.
Evgenii Dadonov
To Vegas Golden Knights
Evgenii Dadonov has been there and done that, but only for a short run playing in Sin City for one season in 2021-22. The Vegas Golden Knights are in need of some middle-six help, and Dadonov has no reason to stay in New Jersey.
The Golden Knights also don’t have a lot to offer. They’re a match here to link up in a deal for a low risk, high-reward trade.
Dadonov also doesn’t cost much for Vegas who doesn’t have a lot of wiggle room with $5,503,376 in cap space. If they throw the Devils as much as a fourth round pick, it could even be next year, that might even be a bit much for Dadonov who hasn’t recorded a single point in 17 games this season.
Paul Cotter
To Montreal Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens could stand to be a bit harder to play against.
That’s why they’ll want Paul Cotter.
Cotter is a pending restricted free agent who hasn’t replicated his production on the stat sheet he did in 2024-25.
However, he still hits everything and that motor never stops.
That’s the kind of player the Canadiens ae in the market for. Plus, without much cap space, Cotter’s $775K is easily affordable.
The Canadiens have all but their fifth round draft pick in 2026. Some mid-to-low end draft compensation, perhaps even New Jersey’s own pick that Montreal owns, is all it will take.
