Today’s the big day. The opening of NHL free agency is slated for 12:00 pm ET. The New Jersey Devils do not have the cap space they are usually accustomed to, but still have enough to fill some of the team’s holes.
Specifically, New Jersey will start free agency with $14,394,167 in cap space available. This number would increase if the team found a partner to offload the Ondrej Palat contract by $6 million. Though, with a Palat move not a certainty, and around $6 million needed to re-sign restricted free agent Luke Hughes, the Devils really only have about $8 million to work with.
With that in mind, what are the Devils’ most pressing needs? Who are some of the options on the market that would make the most sense?
Team Needs
Here is how the Devils’ depth chart currently looks:
Forwards:
| Left Wing | Center | Right Wing |
| Timo Meier | Jack Hughes | Jesper Bratt |
| Nico Hischier | Arseni Gritsyuk | |
| Ondrej Palat | Dawson Mercer | |
| Paul Cotter | Cody Glass | Stefan Noesen |
Analysis
The Devils have some work to do up front. After trading Erik Haula center is a must. This, unless the Devils plan to roll Dawson Mercer down the middle or newest addition Juho Lammikko steps into the fourth-line center role.
The team is also in dire need of a top-nine goal scorer. Four of the top-six group is locked down with Timo Meier, Jesper Bratt, Nico Hischier, and Jack Hughes. That leaves two open spots, one of which should be addressed externally.
The team could also use another bottom-six depth scorer. There is no guarantee veteran Ondrej Palat comes back, which would only open another available spot in the lineup.
Defense:
| Left Defense | Right Defense |
| Brenden Dillon | Dougie Hamilton |
| Jonas Siegenthaler | Johnathan Kovacevic |
| Luke Hughes* | Brett Pesce |
Analysis
The defense is basically set, unless an unforeseen trade occurs. What is interesting is the appearance of two prospects in Seamus Casey and Simon Nemec. With each looking ready to make the leap to the NHL, could one be expendable in a deal for scoring help?
Goaltenders:
| Starter | Backup |
| Jacob Markstrom | Jake Allen |
Analysis
Prior to the opening of free agency, the Devils reportedly agreed to an extension with Jake Allen. The duo of Markstrom and Allen should once again be one of the best in the league.
Elsewhere, Nico Daws may be an option if injury strikes. However, would expect him to form a formidable duo in Utica (AHL) with rookie Jakub Malek.
Summarizing the Needs
Based off the analysis above, here are the positions the Devils should focus on attacking in the offseason:
- Top-six wing
- Middle-six wing
- Bottom-six center
Of course, these all do not need to be addressed in free agency, as trading is another route. But, the Devils should be on the prowl for these positions and roles.
Potential Free Agent Options
Note, all the below contract projections are per AFP Analytics.
Top-Six Winger
Utilizing free agency for a top-six winger will likely be tough unless New Jersey moves on from Palat or Dougie Hamilton. If they did have the room, the below forwards would make the most sense.
Nikolaj Ehlers
One of the top forwards on the market is 10-year Winnipeg Jet winger Nikolaj Ehlers. Ehlers had posted 63 points and 61 points, respectively, over the last two seasons. He also has two other seasons of 60-plus points. His offensive on-ice metrics, both at even strength and on the power play, are always near the best in the league (86th percentile over the last three seasons). He would fit seamlessly alongside Jack Hughes or Nico Hischer in the top six.
Projection: Six-years, $8,106,756.25 annually
Brock Boeser
After years of trade rumors, the 28-year-old Brock Boeser is finally set to hit the open market. Unfortunately, for him, he had one of his worst seasons in terms of point output in 2024-25, posting 50 points in 75 games. Despite that, his offensive on-ice metrics are still extremely strong (83rd percentile over the last three seasons) and he has still hit the 20 goal mark in all but two years of his 10-season career. His goal-scoring ability would be much welcomed boost to the Devils’ top-six group.
Projection: Six-years, $8,459,390 annually
Jonathan Drouin
As a third-overall pick, Jonathan Drouin largely disappointed in his tenure with Tampa Bay. He showed some signs of life with Montreal, then really took a leap in two seasons with Colorado, setting a career-high in points in 2023-24 (56) and scored at a 71-point pace this past season. Playing alongside Jack Hughes or Nico Hischier should help keep Drouin producing like people thought he would as a third-overall pick.
Projection: Three-years, $5,024,493.75 annually
Middle-Six Winger
This role will be much easier for the Devils to address in free agency, even if they do not shed more cap space. Here are some of the best options:
Evgenii Dadonov
It was a resurgence of sorts for the 36-year-old Russian in 2024-25. Evgenii Dadonov had 40 points (20 goals) in 80 games for the Dallas Stars. This is his highest point total since posting 43 in 2021-22. With still above average on-ice offensive impacts (66th percentile in 2024-25), Dadonov would provide a nice offensive boost, at a reasonable price, for New Jersey.
Projection: Two-years, $3,254,162.5 annually
Victor Olofsson
The 29-year-old Victor Olofsson rebounded, in a sense, with the Vegas Golden Knights in 2024-25, posting 29 points (15 goals) in 56 games. Despite the scoring struggles, Olofsson’s on-ice metrics have been quite strong over the last three seasons, ranking in the league’s 60th percentile overall. With his inherent goal-scoring ability, and at a cheaper rate, he is a bet the Devils should be willing to make.
Projection: Three-years, $3,239,360 annually
Andrew Mangiapane
The speedy Andrew Mangiapane posted a career-low 28 points in 81 games for the Washington Capitals last season, but only played 13:02 of ice time per night. The on-ice metrics are still very strong, both offensively and defensively. At the discounted rate he would come for, he would be a valuable addition to the team’s bottom-six group.
Projection: Two-years, $3,828,488.89 annually
Connor Brown
31-year-old Connor Brown has played for three different Canadien teams, the most recent being the Edmonton Oilers, over his 10 year career. He has established himself as one of the better defensive wingers in the league, ranking in the 77th percentile defensively over the last three season, featuring superb penalty-kill play. Over his career, he’s scored at a 35-point pace and broke the 20-goal plateau twice.
Projection: Two-years, $2,905,563.64 annually
Anthony Mantha
Anthony Mantha was limited to only 13 games last season, after he tore his ACL. However, the 30-year-old is seemingly productive wherever he lands. His career 82-game point total average is 49. Injuries are always an issue, however, when he is healthy, he always has a positive impact. A perfect low risk and potentially high-reward candidate.
Projection: One-year, $775,000
James van Riemsdyk
The Jersey native, James van Riemsdyk, is now 36 years old, but is still capable of playing productive hockey. Van Riemsdyk has posted at least 30 points in every year of his career dating back to 2011-12 and still has strong on-ice metrics to boot (56th percentile over the last three years). Specifically, last year for Columbus, his 2.39 points per 60 minutes at five-on-five ranked 24th among 592 qualified skaters.
Projection: One-year, $1,050,500
Bottom-Six Center
Another positional group that will come cheap enough that free agency would make sense to address is the bottom-six center role. Below are two strong options.
Lars Eller
The 36-year-old Lars Eller is still one of the best defensive centers in the league. Over the last three seasons, his on-ice defensive metrics rank in the league’s 91st percentile. The offense certainly is not there, as he is likely good for just a shade over 20 points or so, but he is a player than can fit on a fourth line very well.
Projection: One-year, $2,134,425
Nick Bjugstad
The 32-year-old Nick Bjugstad had a terrific 2023-24 season, where he posted 45 points (22 goals, 23 assists), but regressed mightily offensively in 2024-25 (19 points). Bringing in Bjugstad would be betting he can get closer to his 2023-24 season, and provide a nice scoring pop in the bottom six.
Projection: Two-years, $2,325,425 annually