At this point in the season, at least every team in the NHL has played at least eight games. It’s still entirely way too early to rule anyone out of anything. However, in the likely scenario that some bottom-feeders remain in their current positions, or perhaps, worse, there are a handful of clubs who currently employ some intriguing New Jersey Devils trade candidates.
READ MORE: Devils Suffer Another Crucial Injury to Key Defenseman
Yes, we’re having WAY too early of a look at some players on teams who could be of use to the Devils down the line.
Coming into the 2025-26 season, the belief was New Jersey could use a top-six forward or a third-line center. So far, the Devils have proven they’re equipped well enough with a dominant 8-1-0 start on an eight-game win-streak.
However, winning nearly 90% of their games throughout the remainder of the season is unlikely sustainable.
The Devils will need reinforcements at some point if they plan to make a deep postseason run. So, where could they look?
Early Devils Trade Board
Blake Coleman—Calgary Flames
This was a popular idea among the Devils faithful after David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period suggested the idea on the latest Devils Rink Report.
Coleman, 33, is a former Devils forward who has since played for the Tampa Bay Lightning, and currently skates for the Calgary Flames.
The ex-Devils forward is a speedy, two-way center with elite defensive instincts and goal scoring ability.
Coleman is a multi-20-plus goalscorer, and potted 30 goals in 2023-24, collecting a career-high 54 points.
Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald was adamant the Devils’ issue in 2024-25 was depth. He’s bang on thus far, as New Jersey’s thriving with their new reinforcements.
Coleman is the kind of player who can serve well as a middle-six winger who has complimentary top-six tools. He’s scored five goals and six points in 10 games this season thus far, and would make for a great addition in the Devils’ lineup.
Alexander Wennberg—San Jose Sharks
Are the Devils going to need a third-line center?
If the center depth has proven to be anything this season, it’s thin. After Cody Glass was sidelined with injury, it forced Sheldon Keefe to shift Dawson Mercer to center.
Both the player and the Devils prefer him on the wing. Yet, the versatile forward is tasked with filling the void for now.
Alexander Wennberg is certainly proving this season he’s an asset to the San Jose Sharks on an expiring contract. He’s scored just one goal and two assists in nine games, however, is better known as a defensive, playmaking forward.
He’s not so different from Glass, in fact. And thus far, that’s proven to work well. Wennberg could slide Glass down to 4C in a completely healthy lineup, and push Luke Glendening to 13th forward.
You could do a lot worse than that depth up the middle.
Pavel Zacha—Boston Bruins
If Wennberg isn’t a Devils trade option, perhaps Pavel Zacha is, as he hears his name continue to circulate on the rumor mill.
Zacha is a quality middle-six forward who will collect more points than Wennberg at a similar 20-goal pace and slightly cheaper cost.
In a reunion with the Devils, the pressures are far less. He’s not expected to develop into an elite cornerstone, and can return to New Jersey as a role layer.
He’s off to a decent start this season, with two goals and nine points in 11 games. However, the Boston Bruins are cooked. It’s going to take a lot for them to turn things around, and they just might not have the horses.
Alex Tuch—Buffalo Sabres
Yep, we’re having this conversation again.
Ondrej Palat continues to receive praise from Keefe for doing the work he does that opens up the ice for Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt.
However, Tuch does all that, and scores.
Tuch’s scored 36 goals twice, and regularly reaches 20 or more, while adding a strong forechecking presence, puck battle ability, and moves the puck in transition.
He would finally dethrone Palat from Jack’s line and give them a legitimate trio of players on the first line.
Tuch’s an ideal Devils trade target to address the top-six need.
