The New Jersey Devils are very much trying to get a center before the NHL Trade Deadline. Not only are they trying to make up for the complete drop off in production from Erik Haula and Curtis Lazar, but they are now also trying to replace some of the production lost by Jack Hughes’s injury.
Unfortunately for the Devils, the centers who are actually available at the deadline aren’t great. There are rumors about Elias Pettersson and Ryan O’Reilly, but the real players that are available are Brayden Schenn, Ryan Donato, and Scott Laughton. Well, at least, Laughton was one of the available players.
It appears the Toronto Maple Leafs jumped on the grenade for the Devils, who were also looking for a bottom-six center. We’re still waiting for the official return, but it’s a good thing the Devils avoided this. He’s just not the right player at the right time for New Jersey. The preliminary return looks like something the Devils shouldn't ever match.
Piecing it together:
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) March 7, 2025
To #LeafsForever:
C Scott Laughton
To #LetsGoFlyers:
Cond. 2026 1st Round Pick
Nikita Grebenkin
New Jersey Devils avoided a terrible fit in Scott Laughton
First-round picks seem to be moving like cupcakes at a bake sale this season. Everyone is getting a first-round pick, and without Jack Hughes in the lineup, it doesn't make sense for the Devils to move their 2026 first-rounder right now. They need to be strategic with their pieces.
As of this writing, there are less than two hours left in the trade deadline. The Devils' only move is for a depth defesneman, so Devils fans are going to be upset at the inactivity, but the prices for these players are certifiably insane.
Scott Laughton, acquired by TOR, is a third line net-crashing centre who plays with an edge. Crashes the net, retrieves and steals pucks, throws hits. Generally produces pretty well. Finishing touch not amazing. Production has been stable, but impact has bounced back from 23-24. pic.twitter.com/q1mkOvllCd
— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) March 7, 2025
The one thing the Devils can't do is spend their precious assets for the wrong fit. Laughton is not the player that moves the needle for the Devils. He doesn't help their playoff odds at all. We understand he has another year on his contract, but it still doesn't make us excited about what he could bring.
It's possible the Devils are waiting this all out. The prices are not smart to pay for where the Devils are. They just need to make the playoffs this season. The New York Rangers and Columbus Blue Jackets have two of the hardest schedules in the NHL. If the Devils just sustain without multiple star players in the lineup, anything is possible when they return in the playoffs.