James Nichols
At his 2025 NHL Trade Deadline, we learned the New Jersey Devils are trying to get Arseni Gritsyuk under contract right now. According to a source, New Jersey Hockey Now has learned that is not going to happen just yet.
Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald mentioned last week that he’s negotiating for the KHL star to come to New Jersey. It makes sense for the Devils who are starving for offense.
“That’s what we’re trying to do right now,” Fitzgerald explained when asked about Grtisyuk’s status. “We’re trying to get him under contract right now. That’s the goal, to get him over here and give him a chance to show us what he can do.”
However, the problem is he’s still under KHL contract. According to Gritsyuk’s agent, Shumi Babaev, he won’t be breaking his said contract, which ends after the 2024-25 KHL season.
Gritsyuk recently returned from injury. As the regular season is winding down, Gritsyuk and St. Petersburg are preparing for the playoffs, which is on the horizon.
Babaev explained Gritsyuk won’t make a decision on crossing the pond to North America until after May 31st.
Further, he explained Gritsyuk and his representation will decide on joining the Devils in June. Babaev explained Gritsyuk is currently 50/50 on whether he’ll make the leap to the NHL, or not.
A report in December explained that the Devils would face a delay to get their hands on Gritsyuk, anyway. The report explained KHL contracts are extended through the May 31st.
However, the Devils GM seemingly wanted to work out a way for Gritsyuk to arrive in New Jersey earlier, similarly to the way the Philadelphia Flyers did with Matvei Michkov.
Yet, as anticipated, Gritsyuk will fulfill his KHL contract and see through his time with SKA St. Petersburg before deciding if he’ll join the Devils in the NHL this summer.
It appears one of the Devils’ last avenues to add offense down the stretch and in the playoffs, in lieu of injuries to Jack Hughes and Dougie Hamilton, has been closed off.
The Devils hope their deadline additions of Cody Glass and Daniel Sprong will be enough to get them to the postseason. The early returns have been encourging.
However, Gritsyuk would have been a healthy, and necessary injection of offense. However, the Devils will have to wait.
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