News Summary
The New Jersey Devils are making significant roster changes in preparation for the upcoming NHL season. Key acquisitions include forwards Connor Brown and Evgenii Dadonov. Player departures consist of Erik Haula, Brian Dumoulin, and Tomas Tatar. With ongoing contract negotiations and trades, the Devils aim to enhance their competitive edge. General Manager Tom Fitzgerald emphasizes the importance of improving team depth and the potential impact of contract developments, particularly regarding Luke Hughes, on future roster moves.
Newark, New Jersey – The New Jersey Devils have made significant moves during the offseason, aiming to strengthen their roster ahead of the 2025-26 NHL season. After finishing the 2024-25 season with a record of 42 wins, 33 losses, and 7 overtime losses, the Devils placed third in the Metropolitan Division but faced an early exit in the Eastern Conference First Round. In response, they have signed key players, executed trades, and engaged in contract negotiations to improve their chances for the upcoming season.
Among the notable signings is forward Connor Brown, who joined the team on July 1 with a four-year contract. The 31-year-old player is expected to provide stability on the right wing, having tallied 30 points during the previous season with the Edmonton Oilers, consisting of 13 goals and 17 assists in 82 games.
Another addition to the team is Evgenii Dadonov, a 36-year-old forward who also signed on July 1. Dadonov’s one-year contract will likely see him in a depth role, building upon his productive season with the Dallas Stars where he contributed 40 points, broken down to 20 goals and 20 assists in 80 games.
In terms of departures, the Devils traded Erik Haula to the Nashville Predators on June 18. In exchange, they received defenseman Jeremy Hanzel and a fourth-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft. Haula had a productive run with the Devils, accumulating 97 points over three seasons, including 21 points last season alone.
Furthermore, defenseman Brian Dumoulin has signed a three-year deal with the Los Angeles Kings after a brief stint with the Devils, where he recorded six points in 19 games. Additionally, forward Tomas Tatar has moved to Switzerland, signing a two-year contract with EV Zug after he managed to score 17 points during his last season in New Jersey.
Forward Curtis Lazar also parted ways with the team, signing a one-year contract with the Oilers after a season where he notched five points in 48 games. Meanwhile, rookie defenseman Seamus Casey saw a promising debut season, scoring eight points in just 14 games and making the playoff roster once.
On the prospect front, Arseni Gritsyuk signed a one-year entry-level deal on May 6. After five seasons in the Kontinental Hockey League, he is expected to bring fresh talent, having recorded 44 points in 49 games last season. Additionally, the Devils extended a qualifying offer to 21-year-old defenseman Luke Hughes, making his contract a priority for General Manager Tom Fitzgerald. The potential deal for Hughes is expected to influence the team’s salary cap situation and future roster moves significantly.
Fitzgerald has highlighted the team’s ongoing desire to enhance their competitive standing and improve depth, particularly through the acquisition of new talent like Gritsyuk and Lazar. The Devils were ranked eighth in the NHL for high-danger shots on goal last season, with players Nico Hischier and Stefan Noesen leading in this statistic. Given the potential of Dadonov, he may contend for a spot in the top six, particularly if paired with center Jack Hughes.
As the offseason progresses, the New Jersey Devils remain active in their pursuit of improvement. Fitzgerald has indicated that ongoing assessments will be made regarding the roster, with the situation surrounding Luke Hughes’ potential contract playing a crucial role in the team’s future direction.
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Additional Resources
- NHL: New Jersey Devils Roster Changes for 2025-26 Season
- Wikipedia: New Jersey Devils
- New Jersey Hockey Now: Luke Hughes Trade Rumors
- Google Search: New Jersey Devils 2025 season
- Pucks and Pitchforks: Tom Fitzgerald on Luke Hughes’ Contract
- Encyclopedia Britannica: National Hockey League
- Full Press Hockey: Devils’ Offseason and Luke Hughes Extension
- Google News: New Jersey Devils offseason
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