3 players Devils must trade in 2025 NHL offseason

The New Jersey Devils returned to the playoffs for the second time in three years. Still, the Devils would fall to the Carolina Hurricanes for the second time in the past three seasons. While it was a disappointing end to the campaign for New Jersey, they have hope for the future. They will get Jack Hughes back from injury in 2025-26, while also having some cap space to work with. Still, there is room for improvement on the trade market, and the Devils must be active there in the 2025 NHL offseason.

The Devils have already been active in the trade market this offseason. New Jersey traded Erik Haula to the Nashville Predators for Jeremy Hanzel and a fourth-round pick. But there is more work to be done. The franchise has been building towards Stanley Cup contention, but has won just six playoff games over the past three years. They also do not have a first-round draft pick this year.

Further, the team has just $16.3 million in cap space this year, according to Cap Wages. They also have multiple free agents. New Jersey has seven unrestricted free agents, with three more restricted free agents. One of those is Luke Hughes. Hughes is expected to sign for over $5.7 million per year, if not more. The Devils need to find cap space while also improving their roster through both free agency and the trade market.

New Jersey trades away a forward

The Devils currently have multiple players who can play center under contract. Nico Hischier spent much of the year as the top-line center, but Jack Hughes and Timo Meier also spent time at that position this year. Dawson Mercer also spent time playing center on one of the top two lines. At the end of the season, he was playing right wing on the third line, but also spent time playing on the left wing. While Mercer is someone who can be used in multiple spots, the same is true for Hughes, Meier, and players such as Paul Cotter.

Still, Mercer should be moved this offseason. While Mercer is just 23 years old and will turn 24 at the start of the season, there are multiple reasons for the former first-round pick to be sent packing. To begin with, he is due $4 million per year over the next two seasons. For a team with just $16 million in cap space, an extra $4 million could go a long way towards signing a top-six forward. He will also be a restricted free agent at the end of his contract, adding value with the fact that a team that takes him on will most likely get draft pick compensation if they cannot sign him long term.

There is also the fact that Mercer has not progressed. In the 2022-23 campaign, the forward was great. He scored 27 goals while adding 29 assists, plus he had a plus-22 plus/minus rating. The next year, his goal total dropped to 20, while this past season, it was just 19 goals. Further, he has not broken the 40-point plateau since his first two seasons in the league. Meanwhile, his advanced stats also suggest a plateau. His IPP rating has dropped each of the last two years, while his scoring chances and chances created have remained stagnant. At such a young age, trading away Mercer will bring in a large haul and could have a positive impact on both parties.

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