Why Devils shouldn't make any moves ahead of NHL trade deadlineRobert Aitken Jr., NorthJersey.comSat, February 28, 2026 at 2:36 AM UTC·3 min readThe NHL trade deadline is March 6, giving all 32 teams one full week for buyers to tweak rosters for a potential playoff push.
It also gives sellers time to get rid of contracts and prepare for the future.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe New Jersey Devils should be neither buyers or sellers. Sit this one out.
Why Devils are not buyers at NHL trade deadline
The Devils have 58 points, fewer than every team in the Eastern Conference aside from the New York Rangers. There's no reason to believe the Devils can make a playoff push, and the numbers agree as they have a 0.5 percent chance to make the playoffs, according to MoneyPuck.
Why Devils are not sellers at NHL trade deadline
The mark of a typical seller is having expiring contracts to sell off to a contender to grab draft picks. The Devils have four pending free agents on the team with 36-year old Evgenii Dadonov probably the most notable name of the group. It's doubtful that any of the players would garner a lot of attention, especially because Dadonov has a no-trade clause until March 1.
Feb 25, 2026; Newark, New Jersey, USA; New Jersey Devils center Jack Hughes (86) receives a NJ state flag from Governor Mikie Sherrill prior to the start of the Devils game against the Buffalo Sabres at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images
Feb 25, 2026; Newark, New Jersey, USA; New Jersey Devils center Jack Hughes (86) and Buffalo Sabres center Tage Thompson (72) take a lap on the ice prior to the start of their game at Prudential Center. The two were teammates for the gold medal winning Team USA men’s ice hockey team at the 2026 Milan Olympics. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images
Feb 25, 2026; Newark, New Jersey, USA; New Jersey Devils center Jack Hughes (86) and Buffalo Sabres center Tage Thompson (72) take a lap on the ice prior to the start of their game at Prudential Center. The two were teammates for the gold medal winning Team USA men’s ice hockey team at the 2026 Milan Olympics. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images
Feb 25, 2026; Newark, New Jersey, USA; New Jersey Devils center Jack Hughes (86) and Buffalo Sabres center Tage Thompson (72) take a lap on the ice prior to the start of their game at Prudential Center. The two were teammates for the gold medal winning Team USA men’s ice hockey team at the 2026 Milan Olympics. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images
Feb 25, 2026; Newark, New Jersey, USA; New Jersey Devils center Jack Hughes (86) and Buffalo Sabres center Tage Thompson (72) take a lap on the ice prior to the start of their game at Prudential Center. The two were teammates for the gold medal winning Team USA men’s ice hockey team at the 2026 Milan Olympics. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images
Feb 25, 2026; Newark, New Jersey, USA; New Jersey Devils center Jack Hughes (86) is honored for Team USA’s gold medal winning performance at the 2026 Winter Olympics prior to the start of their game against the Buffalo Sabres at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images
Feb 25, 2026; Newark, New Jersey, USA; New Jersey Devils center Jack Hughes (86) receives a NJ state flag from Governor Mikie Sherrill prior to the start of the Devils game against the Buffalo Sabres at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images
Feb 25, 2026; Newark, New Jersey, USA; New Jersey Devils center Jack Hughes (86) and Buffalo Sabres center Tage Thompson (72) pose for a ceremonial puck drop prior to the start of their game at Prudential Center. The two were teammates for the gold medal winning Team USA men’s ice hockey team at the 2026 Milan Olympics. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images
Feb 25, 2026; Newark, New Jersey, USA; New Jersey Devils center Jack Hughes (86) skates during warmups prior to the start of their game against the Buffalo Sabres at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images
Feb 25, 2026; Newark, New Jersey, USA; New Jersey Devils center Jack Hughes (86) is honored for Team USA’s gold medal winning performance at the 2026 Winter Olympics prior to the start of their game against the Buffalo Sabres at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images
Feb 25, 2026; Newark, New Jersey, USA; New Jersey Devils center Jack Hughes (86) and Buffalo Sabres center Tage Thompson (72) take a lap on the ice prior to the start of their game at Prudential Center. The two were teammates for the gold medal winning Team USA men’s ice hockey team at the 2026 Milan Olympics. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images
Feb 25, 2026; Newark, New Jersey, USA; New Jersey Devils center Jack Hughes (86) is honored for Team USA’s gold medal winning performance at the 2026 Winter Olympics prior to the start of their game against the Buffalo Sabres at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images
Feb 25, 2026; Newark, New Jersey, USA; New Jersey Devils center Jack Hughes (86) is honored for Team USA’s gold medal winning performance at the 2026 Winter Olympics prior to the start of their game against the Buffalo Sabres at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images
Feb 25, 2026; Newark, New Jersey, USA; New Jersey Devils center Jack Hughes (86) is honored for Team USA’s gold medal winning performance at the 2026 Winter Olympics prior to the start of their game against the Buffalo Sabres at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images
Feb 25, 2026; Newark, New Jersey, USA; New Jersey Devils center Jack Hughes (86) speaks with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and Governor Mikie Sherrill prior to the start of the Devils game against the Buffalo Sabres at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images
Feb 25, 2026; Newark, New Jersey, USA; New Jersey Devils center Jack Hughes (86) hugs Governor Mikie Sherrill prior to the start of the Devils game against the Buffalo Sabres at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images
Feb 25, 2026; Newark, New Jersey, USA; New Jersey Devils center Jack Hughes (86) hugs NHL commissioner Gary Bettman prior to the start of the Devils game against the Buffalo Sabres at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images1 / 17Jack Hughes honored by NJ Devils for USA Olympic gold medal goal
Feb 25, 2026; Newark, New Jersey, USA; New Jersey Devils center Jack Hughes (86) receives a NJ state flag from Governor Mikie Sherrill prior to the start of the Devils game against the Buffalo Sabres at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images1 / 17Jack Hughes honored by NJ Devils for USA Olympic gold medal goal
Feb 25, 2026; Newark, New Jersey, USA; New Jersey Devils center Jack Hughes (86) receives a NJ state flag from Governor Mikie Sherrill prior to the start of the Devils game against the Buffalo Sabres at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images2 / 17Jack Hughes honored by NJ Devils for USA Olympic gold medal goal
Feb 25, 2026; Newark, New Jersey, USA; New Jersey Devils center Jack Hughes (86) and Buffalo Sabres center Tage Thompson (72) take a lap on the ice prior to the start of their game at Prudential Center. The two were teammates for the gold medal winning Team USA men’s ice hockey team at the 2026 Milan Olympics. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images3 / 17Jack Hughes honored by NJ Devils for USA Olympic gold medal goal
Feb 25, 2026; Newark, New Jersey, USA; New Jersey Devils center Jack Hughes (86) and Buffalo Sabres center Tage Thompson (72) take a lap on the ice prior to the start of their game at Prudential Center. The two were teammates for the gold medal winning Team USA men’s ice hockey team at the 2026 Milan Olympics. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images4 / 17Jack Hughes honored by NJ Devils for USA Olympic gold medal goal
Feb 25, 2026; Newark, New Jersey, USA; New Jersey Devils center Jack Hughes (86) and Buffalo Sabres center Tage Thompson (72) take a lap on the ice prior to the start of their game at Prudential Center. The two were teammates for the gold medal winning Team USA men’s ice hockey team at the 2026 Milan Olympics. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images5 / 17Jack Hughes honored by NJ Devils for USA Olympic gold medal goal
Feb 25, 2026; Newark, New Jersey, USA; New Jersey Devils center Jack Hughes (86) and Buffalo Sabres center Tage Thompson (72) take a lap on the ice prior to the start of their game at Prudential Center. The two were teammates for the gold medal winning Team USA men’s ice hockey team at the 2026 Milan Olympics. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images6 / 17Jack Hughes honored by NJ Devils for USA Olympic gold medal goal
Feb 25, 2026; Newark, New Jersey, USA; New Jersey Devils center Jack Hughes (86) is honored for Team USA’s gold medal winning performance at the 2026 Winter Olympics prior to the start of their game against the Buffalo Sabres at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images7 / 17Jack Hughes honored by NJ Devils for USA Olympic gold medal goal
Feb 25, 2026; Newark, New Jersey, USA; New Jersey Devils center Jack Hughes (86) receives a NJ state flag from Governor Mikie Sherrill prior to the start of the Devils game against the Buffalo Sabres at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images8 / 17Jack Hughes honored by NJ Devils for USA Olympic gold medal goal
Feb 25, 2026; Newark, New Jersey, USA; New Jersey Devils center Jack Hughes (86) and Buffalo Sabres center Tage Thompson (72) pose for a ceremonial puck drop prior to the start of their game at Prudential Center. The two were teammates for the gold medal winning Team USA men’s ice hockey team at the 2026 Milan Olympics. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images9 / 17Jack Hughes honored by NJ Devils for USA Olympic gold medal goal
Feb 25, 2026; Newark, New Jersey, USA; New Jersey Devils center Jack Hughes (86) skates during warmups prior to the start of their game against the Buffalo Sabres at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images10 / 17Jack Hughes honored by NJ Devils for USA Olympic gold medal goal
Feb 25, 2026; Newark, New Jersey, USA; New Jersey Devils center Jack Hughes (86) is honored for Team USA’s gold medal winning performance at the 2026 Winter Olympics prior to the start of their game against the Buffalo Sabres at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images11 / 17Jack Hughes honored by NJ Devils for USA Olympic gold medal goal
Feb 25, 2026; Newark, New Jersey, USA; New Jersey Devils center Jack Hughes (86) and Buffalo Sabres center Tage Thompson (72) take a lap on the ice prior to the start of their game at Prudential Center. The two were teammates for the gold medal winning Team USA men’s ice hockey team at the 2026 Milan Olympics. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images12 / 17Jack Hughes honored by NJ Devils for USA Olympic gold medal goal
Feb 25, 2026; Newark, New Jersey, USA; New Jersey Devils center Jack Hughes (86) is honored for Team USA’s gold medal winning performance at the 2026 Winter Olympics prior to the start of their game against the Buffalo Sabres at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images13 / 17Jack Hughes honored by NJ Devils for USA Olympic gold medal goal
Feb 25, 2026; Newark, New Jersey, USA; New Jersey Devils center Jack Hughes (86) is honored for Team USA’s gold medal winning performance at the 2026 Winter Olympics prior to the start of their game against the Buffalo Sabres at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images14 / 17Jack Hughes honored by NJ Devils for USA Olympic gold medal goal
Feb 25, 2026; Newark, New Jersey, USA; New Jersey Devils center Jack Hughes (86) is honored for Team USA’s gold medal winning performance at the 2026 Winter Olympics prior to the start of their game against the Buffalo Sabres at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images15 / 17Jack Hughes honored by NJ Devils for USA Olympic gold medal goal
Feb 25, 2026; Newark, New Jersey, USA; New Jersey Devils center Jack Hughes (86) speaks with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and Governor Mikie Sherrill prior to the start of the Devils game against the Buffalo Sabres at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images16 / 17Jack Hughes honored by NJ Devils for USA Olympic gold medal goal
Feb 25, 2026; Newark, New Jersey, USA; New Jersey Devils center Jack Hughes (86) hugs Governor Mikie Sherrill prior to the start of the Devils game against the Buffalo Sabres at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images17 / 17Jack Hughes honored by NJ Devils for USA Olympic gold medal goal
Feb 25, 2026; Newark, New Jersey, USA; New Jersey Devils center Jack Hughes (86) hugs NHL commissioner Gary Bettman prior to the start of the Devils game against the Buffalo Sabres at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-Imagn ImagesWhat moves should the Devils make?
The only moves this leaves the Devils with is a popular one among fans currently: Break up the core.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThat's easier said than done as the roster is filled with contracts that include players not being able to be moved.
Players such as Timo Meier, Jesper Bratt and Jakob Markstrom have no-movement clauses, meaning they cannot be traded or even sent to the minor leagues without player approval. Defensemen Brett Pesce, Brenden Dillon and Jonathan Kovacevic all have full no-trade clauses that would require player approval for a trade. Even players like Nico Hischier, Jonas Siegenthaler and Stefan Noesen have lists of 10 teams they do not wish to be traded to.
What does the future hold for Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald?
The current construction of the roster was built by general manager Tom Fitzgerald, who has held the job since January 2020. Fitzgerald has felt the heat from the fanbase, and the disappointment of the team has his job security in jeopardy. If this is the final trade deadline for Fitzgerald as Devils GM, the hope is that valuable assets are not dealt away by an executive on his way out.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe Devils have moves to make, and there are assets that could be used to improve the roster immediately, but those decisions should be entrusted to whoever is running the organization as general manager beyond this season, whether it is Fitzgerald or a new hire.
Entering a crucial offseason for the franchise, the Devils should hope to have its future general manager with all possible assets at their disposal.
To Fitzgerald's credit, his moves this season have not been desperate attempts to keep his job or unloading the franchise's top prospects to try and make a big splash. His legacy might be that he was the Devils general manager unable to bring in Quinn Hughes to play alongside his brothers, but the package sent to Vancouver by Minnesota was better than anything Fitzgerald could have reasonably compiled in New Jersey.
If the trade deadline comes and goes without the Devils involved, understand that it'll probably be for the best. The focus of the front office right now should turn to the offseason and deciding who is the best fit to return the Devils to contending.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NJ Devils at NHL trade deadline: Why they shouldn't make any moves
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