Trade Details
In a notable trade on Wednesday, the New Jersey Devils have offloaded forward Erik Haula to the Nashville Predators in exchange for defenseman Jeremy Hanzel and a fourth-round draft pick in 2025. Haula, who has a year remaining on his contract carrying a cap hit of $3.15 million, previously played for Nashville during the 2020-21 NHL season.
Player Performance
At 34 years old, Haula’s performance has seen fluctuations; after contributing 41 points while with the Devils in the 2022-23 season, his statistics dipped significantly this past season, with just 21 points in 69 games. In New Jersey’s playoff run, which ended in the first round against the Carolina Hurricanes, he only managed to score one point in five games. However, if he recaptures his earlier form and tallies between 35 to 44 points, he could effectively serve as a valuable asset in Nashville’s middle-six forward lineup.
Salary Cap Impact
This trade also provides the Devils with additional salary cap flexibility, as they now have over $14 million available, which will help accommodate restricted free agent Luke Hughes’s contract renewal. New Jersey’s president, Tom Fitzgerald, may leverage the newly acquired draft pick to either enhance the team’s roster or facilitate further trades, potentially aiming to strengthen their forward lineup, including targeting high-profile players like Nikolaj Ehlers if circumstances allow.
Background on Jeremy Hanzel
Hanzel, the player coming to New Jersey in this trade, was a sixth-round selection by the Colorado Avalanche in the 2023 draft and was part of a deal that brought him to Nashville in March 2024 as compensation for Yakov Trenin.
Conclusion
This trade underlines the ongoing adjustments within both franchises as they gear up for the upcoming season, with each looking to optimize their rosters for better performance.
