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Brian Dumoulin, Anaheim Ducks (Jess Starr/The Hockey Writers)

Get to Know New Devil Brian Dumoulin

Originally posted on The Hockey Writers
By Donnah Campbell | Last updated Mar 7, 2025 11:10 AM ET

The New Jersey Devils have certainly been busy leading up to the trade deadline. After announcing that Jack Hughes would miss the remainder of the season following shoulder surgery, general manager Tom Fitzgerald went right to work.

On Thursday afternoon, the Devils received defenseman Brian Dumoulin from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for forward Herman Traff and a 2025 conditional second-round draft pick. Dumoulin is a two-time Stanley Cup champion who offers plenty of defensive depth, which the Devils will need in the absence of Jonas Siegenthaler and Dougie Hamilton.

Let’s take a look at Dumoulin’s career, and see how this veteran defenseman can help the Devils make a playoff push.

Dumoulin’s Veteran Depth

A native of Maine, Dumoulin’s hockey career started with the Biddeford High School Tigers and the New Hampshire Junior Monarchs. Afterwards, he attended Boston College, where he played for three seasons. In 2010 and 2012, he appeared in the NCAA championship, and was also named to the All-American, All-Hockey East, and Hockey East All-Rookie Team.

Dumoulin is in his 12th season in the NHL and has played for the Pittsburgh Penguins, Seattle Kraken, and Anaheim Ducks. He was drafted 51st overall in the second round of the 2009 Draft by the Carolina Hurricanes.

However, Dumoulin’s NHL career did not start until the 2013-14 season, after he was traded to the Penguins. He would then spend the first ten seasons of his career in Pittsburgh. Dumoulin remained a crucial piece of their defensive core and even led the team to back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2016 and 2017.

Ahead of the 2023-24 season, he signed a two-year deal with the Kraken as a free agent. Dumoulin was an important part of the Kraken’s defense last season and even scored a career-high of six goals. Subsequently, he was traded to the Ducks for a fourth-round pick in the 2026 Draft.

Ducks’ general manager, Pat Verbeek, had nothing but praise for Dumoulin, who has played in all 61 games for the Ducks this season. Verbeek also mentioned how he made a positive impact both on and off the ice. With two goals and 14 assists, Dumoulin ranked second on the Ducks in points. He scored his last goal as a Duck on Wednesday night against the Vancouver Canucks.

One member of the Devils’ organization who was thrilled to welcome Dumoulin was Devils’ head coach, Sheldon Keefe. He commended Dumoulin’s style of play and is satisfied with his defensive consistency. “I’m feeling comfortable he’s going to help our depth and give us a left-hand shot,” said Keefe.

Invaluable Playoff Experience

Dumoulin is also no stranger to the pressure that comes with playoff hockey. Throughout his career, he has appeared in 81 playoff games. He has four goals and 21 assists to show for it, along with a plus-6 career playoff rating.

In fact, Dumoulin scored the opening goal for the Penguins in Game 6 of the 2016 Stanley Cup Final against the San Jose Sharks. He has not made an appearance in a playoff game since the 2021-22 season, but there is a high likelihood that can change now that he’s on the Devils’ roster.

Known for his defensive responsibility, Dumoulin is effective at both blocking shots and moving the puck up the ice. Not only is he reliable in the defensive zone, but he also stifles the opponent by limiting scoring chances. He is also exceptional in breakout scenarios and can easily regain puck possession in his own zone.

If Hamilton misses the remainder of the season, Dumoulin will play a key role in an attempt to make up for lost defensive depth.

Could Dumoulin Help the Devils Moving Forward?

Overall, this trade seems beneficial for both parties. The Devils have a stronger veteran presence for the rest of the season, while the Ducks earned a conditional draft pick and a forward prospect. All in all, Devils fans should be excited to see what this experienced defenseman brings to the table.

We’ll have to wait and see how things pan out for New Jersey, but one thing is certain: The Devils are not giving up just yet. A defensive defenseman is a step in the right direction, but Fitzgerald still needs to acquire depth scoring and find a short-term replacement for his star forward.