The New Jersey Devils are navigating a complex landscape of potential trades, player returns, and salary cap challenges as they push for a strong playoff position in the Metropolitan Division. Recent reports indicate that General Manager Tom Fitzgerald's efforts to bolster the team may have been hampered by no-trade clauses held by key players, while the anticipated return of star center Jack Hughes is generating excitement among fans.
One of the main challenges for the Devils is clearing cap space to facilitate roster upgrades. The team's tight cap situation reportedly contributed to their inability to acquire Quinn Hughes. Consequently, rumors have circulated regarding potential trades involving players with significant cap hits, such as veteran forward Ondrej Palat and defenseman Dougie Hamilton.
Elliotte Friedman reported that the Devils likely had "a couple of deals vetoed". Kevin Weekes confirmed that Palat and Hamilton were the most likely to be traded to free up cap space. NJ Advance Media directly questioned Palat about whether he was asked to waive his no-move, no-trade clause, to which he responded that he had not been approached about it and was unaware of any potential trade discussions. When asked a similar question, Hamilton was less direct, stating that his position remained unchanged from the start of the season, when he expressed a desire to stay in New Jersey. It is speculated that Hamilton may have been the one to decline waiving his clause.
Ondrej Palat's name has been prominent in trade rumors due to his underwhelming performance this season, with just two goals and seven points in 34 games. His $6 million cap hit is considered a burden, leading to his placement on The Athletic's Trade Board 2.0. The combination of his cap hit, no-movement clause, and a 10-team no-trade list makes him difficult to trade. Trading Palat would primarily benefit the Devils by creating cap space, even if the return is minimal.
Despite these challenges, there's optimism surrounding the potential return of Jack Hughes. While there's no definite timeline, the latest updates suggest his return is getting closer.
In other news, the Devils activated Timo Meier from the non-roster list. Prior to the roster freeze, Xavier Parent and Calen Addison were assigned to the AHL. Recently, the Devils have won four of their last six games, moving them back into a Metropolitan Division playoff spot. On Friday night, the Devils defeated the Utah Mammoth 2-1, with Stefan Noesen scoring the go-ahead goal and Jacob Markstrom making 32 saves.
