The 2026 NHL trade deadline is less than a week away. The New Jersey Devils are out of playoff position and possibly looking to prepare for next season.
After all, preparing in the spring to rebuild in the summer is in GM Tom Fitzgerald's DNA. That's what they did when they acquired Jake Allen two deadlines ago.
There appears to be no indication that Fitzgerald isn't making a decision, he will proceed as if he will be heading into the 2026 NHL Draft and there will be three men in charge on July 1.
Despite some players with expiring contracts, the Devils still have value moving forward next Friday with some short-term deals with favorable cap hits.
We wouldn't speculate on players like Brendan Dillon and Johnathan Kovacevic, who have full no-move clauses. Although they may offer a discount, we are not sure that will happen.
And New Jersey's Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier aren't going anywhere. Still, there are parts on the Devils that will be coveted by Friday.
However, here's a mix of what we're hearing about some players, including some speculation based on the opposing team's needs.
So, who could be next?
dougie hamilton
for detroit red wings
Rasmus Andersson recently acquired Calgary Flames defenseman Zach Whitecloud, Abram Wiebe, a first-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft and a second-round pick in 2028.
Except, Anderson's trade protection is much 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 will certainly want to strengthen their right side as they are in playoff position and want to solidify themselves as a playoff threat. Behind the Moritz Seider, it is a little thinner.
Cider isn't exactly a power play specialist. Perhaps Hamilton can increase the Detroit man advantage, whether by replacing Seider, or setting up a tandem in the left circle.
The Red Wings have the ability to do the same, with $12,778,692 in their pocket. Even the devils will not have to be retained.
Hamilton will not trap someone like Simon Edwinsson. Don't go there either.
However, could the Devils poach Axel Sandin-Pellica? Maybe attached with draft compensation? After all, Hamilton is still viewed as a top-pairing defenseman with a hot shot that any power play would love. And the Red Wings are ripe with young blueliners like Ceder, Edvinsson and Jacob Bernard-Docker.
Detroit seems to be a good fit for Hamilton as a team that looks like he's headed to the postseason and could come back for the duration of his contract. Why wouldn't he approve a transfer to the Motor City?
cody glass
to edmonton oilers
The Edmonton Oilers are in the market for a third-line centre.
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins has moved to the wing, and seems to be comfortable there, and Chris 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 heading into the playoffs of Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and Glass is strong to interchange with Adam Heinrich and Curtis Lazar on the fourth line.
The Oilers do not have any first-round picks this year. But for a 20-goal, third-line defenseman, Glass can probably score one goal. Perhaps McDavid's thirst to win is on the table next year – especially after the Olympic loss.
If Kiefer Sherwood and Mason Marchment receive second-round picks-plus, Glass as a center should net a little more to play at a premium position. Additionally, the Oilers' first round pick is as close to a second round pick as they can get.
Otherwise, perhaps a bubble NHLer like Isaac Howard could be included in a deal.
jonas siegenthaler
to the buffalo sabers
Buffalo Saber!
Who would have guessed that the Lindy Ruff-led Sabers were postseason bound?
Well, Ruff certainly knows Jonas Seigenthaler, and he looks to be a much better fit on the third pairing than Zack Metsa in Buffalo.
The Sabers have a ton of young talent that could be of interest to the Devils.
Zach Benson, Jack Quinn, Jiri Kulich, Konsta Helenius. There won't be room for all these people in Buffalo.
Seigenthaler will provide the Sabers with a steady presence on the blueline to compliment their offensive defenders like Bowen Byrum, Rasmus Dahlin, and to a lesser extent, Owen Power.
Familiarity with Ruff is one reason for the former Devils head coach to advocate for him. There is a match.
Dawson Mercer
to utah mammoth
The Utah Mammoth are looking for a top-nine forward with tenure.
Dawson Mercer is in the second year of a three-year contract that keeps him a restricted free agent. Thus, he is in control for at least the next three seasons.
Mercer is an upgrade over some of the forward players at Utah who are probably playing better than expected in the Mammoth lineup.
Jack McBain and Kailer Yamamoto are good players, but Mercer can offer more offensive flair, as well as provide two-way play that will open up the ice for Dylan Guenther, Clayton Keller and Logan Cooley at Utah.
What doesn't Mammoth have in terms of compensation? They have all of the second- and third-round selections in addition to their 2026 selection.
But, Mercer is young enough and strong enough to do some important things.
I'm not sure Utah is ready to part ways with Tyz Iginla. However, perhaps Danil Butt will be on the table.
But he stands tall at 6-foot-5, 203 pounds. Certainly, the Devils could use more size on the wing, and he brings that element. And he's already shown some promise at the NHL level with three goals and seven points in 28 games.
evgeny dadonov
for the vegas golden knights
Evgeny Dadonov has been there and done that, but only for a short time, playing in Sin City for one season in 2021-22. The Vegas Golden Knights need some middle-six help, and Dadonov has no reason to stay in New Jersey.
The Golden Knights don't have much to offer either. They are a match here to connect in a low-risk, high-reward business deal.
Dadonov's price tag also isn't too high for Vegas, who don't have a lot of wiggle room with $5,503,376 in cap space. If they throw up to a fourth-round pick to the Devils, be it next year or not, it might be a little too much for Dadonov, who hasn't recorded a single point in 17 games this season.
paul cotter
for the montreal canadiens
Playing against the Montreal Canadiens could be a little tough.
So they would want Paul Couture.
Cotter is a pending restricted free agent who has not duplicated his production on the stat sheet in 2024-25.
However, he still hits everything and that motor never stops.
That's the type of player the Canadiens are in the market for. Plus, without much cap space, Couture's $775K is easily affordable.
The Canadiens have everything except their fifth-round draft pick in 2026. Some mid-to-low draft compensation, maybe New Jersey's own pick that Montreal has, is all it takes.
