The New Jersey Devils are letting forward Daniel Sprong, acquired at the NHL Trade Deadline, move on with his playing career, and his next step is looking more likely to be the KHL than the NHL.
Sprong, 28, was acquired by the Devils from the Seattle Kraken for a 2026 seventh-round pick at the trade deadline on March 7 despite having opportunities to claim him off waivers for free earlier in the season. In 12 total appearances with the Devils, Sprong recorded just two assists, and in 30 regular-season games between New Jersey, Seattle, and Vancouver, Sprong produced only two goals and seven points.
Of course, in the two seasons prior, Sprong had recorded no fewer than 46 points despite featuring almost exclusively in a bottom-six role.
Now, still unsigned two weeks into free agency, the KHL may be the next step for the failed Devils trade acquisition. According to Mikhail Zislis of Sports-Express, CSKA Moscow and Avangard Omsk have shown interest in Sprong so far.
"As SE learned, forward Daniel Sprong fell into the sphere of interests of CSKA and Avangard," Zislis reported Saturday. "According to our information, the head coach of the Omsk team, Guy Boucher, is personally interested in 28-year-old Sprong. Probably, the appearance of this player in Avangard will lead to the departure of Vladimir Tkachev."
Boucher, of course, is a former NHL head coach who most recently worked under Devils head coach Sheldon Keefe as an assistant coach for the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2023-24 season.
On Boucher's coaching staff is former Devils forward and ex-Devils assistant coach Dave Barr, who worked with Pete DeBoer until his dismissal in late 2014.
A few Devils connections seem likely to lead Sprong overseas, at least for now, after his disastrous 2024-25 season. The Devils were likely going to look for an upgrade from Sprong, but now it looks like his NHL career could be over, at least for now.