It wasn’t the most incredible NHL Trade Deadline of all time but there were still some big names moved. We saw studs like Marc-Andre Fleury, Max Domi, and Rickard Rakell move to new teams which is fun but the New Jersey Devils did pretty much nothing.
When we say that they did pretty much nothing it is because they acquired Andrew Hammond from the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for Nate Schnarr. It is a small move as the Devils try to add another goalie for the rest of the year.
It was probably a mostly unnecessary trade but at least Nico Daws can get some rest the rest of the way while he tries to become a full-time NHL goalie. Hammond has had some success in the past but he is not the long-term answer for the New Jersey Devils.
Outside of that, the team did nothing. Guys like PK Subban, Andreas Johnsson, Pavel Zacha, and Damon Severson were all in the rumors leading up to the deadline but not a single one of them was moved. It will be interesting to see what all of their futures look like but they will finish the season with this team.
The New Jersey Devils were relatively quiet at the 2022 NHL Trade Deadline.
For the fourth straight season, the New Jersey Devils won’t be going back to the Stanley Cup Playoffs. It is unfortunate but they are clearly more interested in building up for the future right now.
With guys like Nico Hischier, Jack Hughes, Luke Hughes, Dawson Mercer, Alexander Holtz, and Jesper Bratt in the mix, things are looking bright for the team that hasn’t had sustained success since the early 2010s.
Staying quiet at the trade deadline might be tough for them down the road because they didn’t add extra asserts for guys who won’t be there long term but they also didn’t make any mistakes. Certain guys like Pavel Zacha and Damon Severson may see it through and become a part of things for the future. You just never know. They also might not.
The biggest move the Devils made was one they didn’t. Fitzgerald didn’t trade Jesper Bratt which was rumored a few weeks ago and leading up to the deadline. That would have been a major disaster as he has been one of New Jersey’s best players this year. His future is bright.
Now we can only hope that the young players on this team and in the organization continue to have good years and be ready for what is to come starting in 2022-23. This team could be really good in the future if they just stay the course.