The Athletic has live coverage of the NHL trade deadline.
In: Maxim Tsyplakov, Nick Bjugstad
Out: Ondřej Palát, 2026 third-round choose, 2027 sixth-round choose, Thomas Bordeleau, 2026 fourth-round choose, Luke Glendening (waivers to Philadelphia)
Grade: D+
The Devils didn’t change a lot on the deadline. Dougie Hamilton stayed, as did Šimon Nemec, who discovered himself in rumors because the deadline neared. Palát was the largest subtraction New Jersey constituted of its lineup, however that occurred greater than a month in the past. The workforce additionally misplaced depth middle Luke Glendening to waivers, with the Flyers claiming him Friday. Fitzgerald additionally put Maxim Tsyplakov and Evgenii Dadonov on waivers, although each cleared.
Fitzgerald added Bjugstad earlier than the Olympic roster freeze. He’s a depth middle however doesn’t transform the best way the lineup appears to be like. The Devils basically acknowledged that they don’t seem to be a playoff contender this deadline and didn’t add important items. Perhaps extra surprisingly, in addition they didn’t subtract from the roster. Center Cody Glass, beneath contract for one more season at $2.5 million common annual worth, felt like a possible candidate to maneuver given the excessive costs facilities fetched this deadline. But Fitzgerald clearly didn’t get any presents he felt warranted a trade.
The Devils had excessive expectations this season and have come up brief. Moving Palát cleared up cap area and was possible the fitting transfer with how the season was going, however New Jersey had to surrender picks to make the deal occur. The Bjugstad addition is marginal.
The Devils didn’t have quite a bit to promote this deadline, however the workforce’s file and lack of moves made it arduous to offer them a better grade. — Peter Baugh
What the GM stated
Fitzgerald stated he was shocked by the dearth of motion on the trade market.
“I just think there were a lot of teams not willing to move pieces because they’re in a playoff spot or teams didn’t want to move pieces, being out of a playoff spot, because they believe in those players and want to give it another go,” Fitzgerald stated.
The Devils fall within the latter class. Fitzgerald stated he nonetheless believes in his group and doesn’t wish to blow it up.
Hamilton remained on Chris Johnston’s trade board, however Fitzgerald stated, “I did not have Dougie Hamilton’s name out there.”
“Did I get calls from a couple teams assuming I had Dougie’s name out there? Yeah,” he stated. “But Dougie’s played extremely well for us. He’s a really good player. When we’re playing well, he’s usually playing well. … There was no shopping or putting him out there on the market to see what I could get.”
The Devils additionally listened on Nemec, the 2022 No. 2 draft choose. He’s a pending restricted free agent.
“We have seven NHL everyday players on our back end,” Fitzgerald stated. “Trying to shake one of those loose here in the offseason will be my goal, maybe to give us some help up front. Maybe a top-six winger or something.”
Asked if he’s gotten any assurances about his job safety past this season, Fitzgerald stated he and proprietor David Blitzer are “in sync.”
