NHL free agency is set to begin at noon Wednesday. The class overall is not what usually is. Not to mention, the two top members of the class, forward Alex Tuch and defenseman Darren Raddysh, already found new homes via sign-and-trades. Regardless, the New Jersey Devils still have holes and free agency can be an avenue they use to address.
With that, let’s preview what you can expect once the clock strikes noon on July 1.
Devils Preview
The Devils will enter free agency with $9,727,500 in cap space according to PuckPedia. This figure ranks 23rd in the league. With that being said, the Devils have 21 NHL contracts making that figure up. Most of the league, and even teams that rank worse off than the Devils, have less NHL-level contracts established.
Needs
Before free agency it is always a good idea to take stock at what positions or needs the Devils still have. Below is a current organizational depth chart based off their listed position:
- Centers: Jack Hughes, Nico Hischier, Cody Glass, Nick Bjugstad
- Wingers: Jesper Bratt, Timo Meier, Dawson Mercer, Arseny Gritsyuk, Evan Rodrigues, Connor Brown, Stefan Noesen, Jesper Boqvist, Lenni Hämeenaho
- Left Defenseman: Luke Hughes, Brenden Dillon, Jonas Siegenthaler, Declan Chisholm
- Right Defenseman: Dougie Hamilton, Brett Pesce, Johnathan Kovacevic
- Goaltenders: Jake Allen
- Honorable Mentions: Shane Lachance (LW), Amadeus Lombardi (C), Anton Silayev (D), Seamus Casey (D), Nico Daws (G)
Based off the above, the Devils seem set down the middle. In addition to the four individuals listed, Mercer, Rodrigues, and Boqvist can all play center as well. Any additions would come on the wing. Bratt and Meier are the only two “locks” to be in the top-six. Mercer, Gritsyuk, Rodrigues, and Brown all have the capabilities to play in the middle-six, however, it would be very wise for the Devils to not add one more option; if not a top-six, at least a true middle-six option. As far as the bottom-six, the team is pretty well prepared there. A fully healthy Noesen, plus the likes of Rodrigues, Brown, Boqvist, Hämeenaho, or a strong performer in camp, say a Lombardi or Lachance, should give the team more than enough depth to fill out their bottom-six winger positions.
On defense, pending a trade, the grouping is pretty set. New Jersey even acquired Chisholm from Washington who is a massive upgrade over Dennis Cholowski. Not to mention, the team has a couple options in the pipeline getting closer; those being Silayev and Casey.
In net, with the trade of Jacob Markström on Tuesday, the Devils will surely be on the hunt for a goaltender to complement Allen. Daws has not shown nearly enough consistency to be trusted with beginning the season with the big club.
In summary, the team should focus on obtaining the following:
- Top-six winger or true middle-six winger
- Starting or “1A” goaltender
Internal Free Agents
With free agency beginning, it also means players who were with the organization last year will hit the open market as well. A full list of those individuals who will likely be finding a new home, and who will officially be unrestricted free agents at noon ET, are below:
- Forwards: Evgenii Dadonov, Zack MacEwen, Paul Cotter*, Jonathan Gruden**, Nathan Legáré**, Ryan Schmelzer, Mike Hardman, Marc McLaughlin**, Brian Halonen, Dylan Wendt*
- Defensemen: Dennis Cholowski, Colton White, Calen Addison*
- Goalies: Tyler Brennan**
Note, players denoted with a “*” indicate that player was a restricted free agent but was not qualified making them an unrestricted free agent. Players denoted with a “**” indicate a player that is a “group six” unrestricted free agent.
The Devils also have a plethora of restricted free agents. Given these individuals received a qualifying offer, their rights will remain with the organization. However, they still need a new contract if the qualifying offer is not accepted. The full list of those individuals are below:
- Forwards: Amadeus Lombardi, Ben Steeves*, Xavier Parent
- Defensemen: Topias Vilén
- Goalies: Nico Daws*, Jakub Malék*
Note, players denoted with a “*” have earned arbitration rights.
For a full analysis of the team’s internal free agents click here for the unrestricted free agents and here for the restricted free agents.
Free Agency Preview
With the Devils’ portion of the preview completed. Let’s take a look at the free agency market as a whole and some targets that may fit the Devils’ needs listed above.
Top-15 Unrestricted Free Agents
| Name | Position | Age | Former Team | Statistics |
| Rasmus Andersson | RHD | 29 | VGK | 47 points (81 games) |
| John Carlson | RHD | 36 | CAR | 60 points (71 games) |
| Alex Ovechkin | RW | 40 | WSH | 64 points (82 games) |
| Mason Marchment | LW | 31 | CBJ | 45 points (68 games) |
| Mario Ferraro | LHD | 27 | SJ | 23 points (82 games) |
| Anthony Mantha | RW | 31 | PIT | 64 points (81 games) |
| Sergei Bobrovsky | G | 37 | FLA | 0.877 save percentage |
| Anders Lee | LW | 35 | NYI | 42 points (82 games) |
| Claude Giroux | C | 38 | OTT | 49 points (82 games) |
| Mats Zuccarello | RW | 38 | MIN | 54 points (59 games) |
| Viktor Arvidsson | LW | 33 | BOS | 54 points (69 games) |
| Ryan Shea | LHD | 29 | PIT | 35 points (80 games) |
| Frederik Andersen | G | 36 | CAR | 0.874 save percentage |
| Boone Jenner | C | 33 | CBJ | 38 points (67 games) |
| Patrick Kane | RW | 37 | DET | 57 points (67 games) |
Potential Devils Targets
Mats Zuccarello
After seven years in Minnesota, the 38-year-old Mats Zuccarello is likely on the move. Limited to only 59 games, the former New York Ranger posted 54 points this past season. The playmaking ability is certainly still there and the overall offensive impacts are still strong. For a team starved for goals, he would certainly boost a Devils top-six that needs it.
Projected Contract: One year, $5,817,066.63
Viktor Arvidsson
Viktor Arvidsson quietly had a sensational season for the Boston Bruins this past year. The 33-year-old Swede had 54 points (25 goals) across 69 games. This was a bounce-back season after posting only 27 points in 67 games in 2024-25. Despite that lackluster output, his on-ice impacts over the last three seasons offensively ranks in the 63rd percentile. Over an 82-game season, his career average scoring total is 26 goals a season.
Projected Contract: Two years, $4,913,422.18 annual average value
Oliver Bjorkstrand
A Devils’ killer, Oliver Bjorkstrand’s 14 career goals against New Jersey are the most he has scored against any opponent. The 31-year-old is looking for a new home and he would provide a much-needed scoring boost to the middle of the lineup. The Denmark-born winger has scored more than 20 goals six different times in his career. He is also an analytical-darling, ranking in the league’s 70th percentile in overall on-ice impacts and the 86th percentile defensively.
Projected Contract: Two years, $2,834,742.87 annual average value
Andrei Kuzmenko
Andrei Kuzmenko has a chance to be one of the more valuable adds this offseason. The 30-year-old is a strong finisher, as evident by a career shooting percentage of 20.4%. Since potting 39 goals to go along with 74 total points his rookie season with Vancouver in 2022-23, his numbers has steadily declined. However, the on-ice impacts remain strong. His offensive on-ice impacts over the last three seasons rank in the 67th percentile; specifically his impacts on the power play, thanks to an electric shot, are extremely strong. For a player that has all the tools to score 30-plus goals in the right situation, playing alongside Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier could help accomplish that.
Projected Contract: Two years, $4,006,400.01 annual average value
Frederik Andersen
Frederik Andersen is officially a Stanley Cup champion serving a valuable role with the Carolina Hurricanes this past season. Despite posting a career-worst 0.874 save percentage, Andersen saved 9.03 goals above expected. In short, he was hung out to dry by his defensive core for a lot of the season. The Denmark-native has now posted a positive goals saved above expected in every season dating back to 2021-22. Since that season, he ranks ninth among 174 goaltenders to appear in a game with 67.38 goals saved above expected.
Projected Contract: One year, $2,818,400.00
Stuart Skinner
Stuart Skinner has gotten an extremely bad rap thanks to his time in Edmonton. However, the two-time Western Conference champion has posted a positive goals saved above expected in each season of his career. Additionally, since the 2022-23 season, his 61.67 goals saved above expected ranks 10th among 151 goaltenders to appear in a game. Not to mention, he is still pretty young at 27 years old.
Projected Contract: Two years, $4,399,200.00 average annual value
Final Thoughts
The Devils’ roster on paper, pending any trades in the defense core, is almost there. An addition of another scoring option near the top of the lineup, and a goaltender, is a must. Although free agency is not the strongest this year, the Devils could very well fill each of these holes once the window opens at noon ET.
We will have all updates across our social media pages, so stay tuned.