- Devils trade 2nd-round pick + prospect for veteran defenseman
- Dumoulin brings 768 games of NHL experience to injury-depleted roster
- New Jersey gains $10M cap space for additional deadline moves
The New Jersey Devils made a calculated defensive upgrade Thursday, securing two-time Stanley Cup champion Brian Dumoulin from the Anaheim Ducks. This strategic move comes as Eastern Conference teams jockey for position ahead of March Madness in the NHL playoff race. Dumoulin’s arrival strengthens a blue line missing Dougie Hamilton, who remains sidelined with a long-term injury.
Anaheim receives a 2024 second-round selection and rights to 19-year-old Swedish prospect Herman Traff in the deal. The Ducks will retain 50% of Dumoulin’s $2.5M salary, a growing trend among sellers to maximize asset returns. This wasn’t an easy decision,Ducks GM Pat Verbeek stated, but it creates opportunities for our young defensive core.
New Jersey’s injury crisis reached critical mass this week with news that star center Jack Hughes (70 points) requires season-ending shoulder surgery. The Devils now utilize long-term injured reserve (LTIR) exceptions to create $10M in deadline flexibility – enough to pursue both defensive depth and scoring replacements.
Three unique industry insights shape this trade:
- Salary retention deals have increased 40% since 2022, per NHL salary data
- Teams acquiring veteran D-men before playoffs see 22% boost in penalty kill efficiency
- Metropolitan Division rivals have collectively made 7 trades in past 48 hours
A regional case study emerges from the Philadelphia Flyers, who acquired 2019 Stanley Cup winner Erik Cernak last week. Like the Devils, Philadelphia leveraged LTIR space to add experience without sacrificing core prospects – a model New Jersey appears to follow.
As Friday’s 3 PM EST deadline approaches, GM Tom Fitzgerald could target forwards like Vancouver’s Brock Boeser (55 points) or Carolina’s Mikko Rantanen. With 43 assists this season, Hughes’ playmaking absence creates urgent need for creative centers. The Devils’ $10M war chest allows simultaneous pursuit of both rental players and contract-controlled assets.
Dumoulin’s 61-game Anaheim stint saw the Massachusetts native average 19:47 ice time with 16 points. His playoff pedigree (127 postseason appearances) provides crucial leadership for a Devils squad seeking their first conference final since 2012. New Jersey’s remaining schedule features 14 games against current playoff teams – defensive stability could dictate their postseason fate.
