Devils Trade for Two-Time Stanley Cup Winning Defenseman Amid Injuries

The New Jersey Devils have made their first move ahead of the 2025 NHL Trade Deadline. The Devils trade a second round pick and prospect Herman Traff to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for defenseman, Brian Dumoulin.

Dumoulin (33) is a left-shot, 6-foot-4 defensive defenseman with 687 games of NHL experience across 12 seasons. In 61 games this season, Dumoulin has accrued two goals and 16 points.

The Devils were in need of reinforcements on the blueline as much as they were at forward. In recent weeks, Jonas Siegenthaler suffered a significant lower-body injury that landed the Swiss defenseman on long-term injured reserve.

In the Devils’ last tilt against the Dallas Stars, they also lost defenseman Dougie Hamilton after he suffered what appeared to be a lower-body injury, and is expected to be out week-to-week.

One of the main points of motivation for the Devils to acquire Dumoulin is his playoff and Stanley Cup pedigree. Dumoulin was a crucial part of the Pittsburgh Penguins’ blueline, helping the Devils division rival lift the Stanley Cup in both 2016 and 2017.

The Biddeford, Maine native also boasts 81 games of Stanley Cup Playoffs experience.

Dumoulin is a pending free agent with a $3.15 million cap hit.

The Devils gave up Traff, who is a big, physical forward who has the ceiling of a fourth line winger at the NHL level. In 25 SHL games, Traff has collected three goals and seven points thus far.

The Devils currently have both Seamus Casey and Simon Nemec on the roster. With their desire to remain in the playoff picture despite losing Jack Hughes among other injures, the Devils much prefer to have the 33-year-old veteran defenseman, as opposed to the young, inexperienced blueliners.

The Devils are certainly expected to be active as they continue to hunt help up front, specifically at center and in the scoring department.