Tuesday was a busy day in the NHL, perhaps the most enjoyable and action-packed non-trade deadline day since the "one for one" day back in 2016. All told, there were four trades -- all blockbusters -- including one that sent Simon Nemec to the Flames in exchange for three high draft picks and a prospect.
The last trade of the day was the most baffling, with the Chicago Blackhawks perplexingly sending the fourth-overall pick, the 45th overall pick, and Louis Crevier to the Sabres in exchange for perennially-underwhelming-and-soon-to-be-perennially-overpaid defenseman Bowen Byram.
Unfortunately, the other two moves were both buzzkills for the New Jersey Devils, specifically as it pertains to upgrading their top six. The first of the two was less debilitating, with the Ottawa Senators acquiring young budding star William Eklund from the San Jose Sharks, as well as a couple of other minor pieces, for the ninth overall pick in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft. The second, more crippling move, came shortly after, with the St. Louis Blues sending Jordan Kyrou to the Washington Capitals in exchange for center Connor McMichael, prospect Milton Gastrin, and the 16th overall pick.
Not only did the second trade send a star player to a division rival, but it also took one of the most appealing and realistic top-six upgrades away from the Devils.
The Devils' options are dwindling to fix the top six
It's long been understood that the Devils have had a void in their top six, specifically one alongside franchise pillar Jack Hughes. They had two-thirds of a season of Tyler Toffoli, but otherwise have had a subpar option playing alongside No. 86 and Jesper Bratt. For a team whose other top-six caliber forwards are stuck in shutdown minutes and who finished at the bottom of the league in scoring at 5v5, a legitimate upgrade up front is a necessity.
As such, losing out on options is a big loss. There is still time to make a big play for a big fish -- a Jason Robertson or Jared McCann-type player, both of whom have reportedly been out there -- but the stockpile of potential options is certainly dwindling.
Especially given how quickly trades seem to be manifesting prior to the draft, it certainly seems like the time is now for GM Sunny Mehta to take a big swing.
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