Well, the New Jersey Devils woke up with heavier pockets this morning. No, you didn’t dream about that. It really happened. Tom Fitzgerald pulled off what seemed like the unimaginable. And now, the Devils have actual cap space to work with.
More below on the unexpected Devils trade.
Sidebar. Fitzgerald won’t speak on this trade just yet. After speaking with the media recently, and anticipating there will be more moves, whether that’s before the Olympic break or March 6th, he’ll address it then.
Also in the links, New Jersey had a game to play last night. Plenty on the 4-3 loss to the Winnipeg Jets. We’ll have more later today on trade grades. Cut me some slack; there was a game to cover in the midst of it all last night.
Elsewhere, the Blueshirts appetite to move their former first overall pick, San Jose defenseman wants to stay, and is Toronto a seller?
Let’s do that hockey.
Devils Trade Rumors & News
New Jersey Hockey Now: Just before the puck dropped, the Devils scratched Ondrej Palat for “roster-related reasons.” That’s a new term that I guess we will have to get used to. Fitzgerald moved Palat in a Devils trade to the New York Islanders in a move no one saw coming. Details inside on the return.
That trade broke mid-game in a bout between the Devils and Jets. Was it a distraction? The New Jersey flopped against Winnipeg in a 4-3 loss, which spoiled John MacLean‘s Ring of Honor induction.
In the dissected, six observations on what happened against Winnipeg, including how they were overwhelmed by the Jets rush and why the Devils CRAVE a scorer.
📺 Devils Rink Report: On the latest Devils Rink Report, Ryan Novozinsky joined me to discuss what a Dougie Hamilton trade says about New Jersey’s season. Watch, subscribe 👇🏼
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NHL Trade Talk, News & National Hockey Now
Forever Blueshirts: There may be no more polarizing player for the New York Rangers than Alexis Lafreniere. Here’s why Blueshirts GM Chris Drury has an appetite to trade him.
Pittsburgh Hockey Now: This feels like the first significant suspension in a while. The NHL’s Department of Player Safety dropped the hammer on Pittsburgh Penguins forward Bryan Rust for elbowing Brock Boeser.
Boston Hockey Now: With some injuries to Team Sweden’s initial roster, they’ve named Boston Bruins defenseman Hampus Lindholm as a replacement at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
San Jose Hockey Now: The San Jose Sharks want to keep Mario Ferraro. Mario Ferraro would like to stay with the Sharks. So, what’s the problem? Well, two sides have differing opinions on the term. Will San Jose meet the veteran blue liner in the middle?
Colorado Hockey Now: The Colorado Avalanche inked Sam Milinski to a four-year contract yesterday. You have to wonder what that means for Sam Girard.
Florida Hockey Now: The Florida Panthers are going to fool us all, aren’t they? Matthew Tkachuk is already back, and Sasha Barkov is skating.
The Athletic ($): Forget Dougie Hamilton and the Toronto Maple Leafs’ interest in him. Could they be a Devils trade partner? James Mirtle says they need to start considering becoming sellers.
