Devils Digest: The Latest Developments of the Metropolitan Division

NEWARK, N.J. — The New Jersey Devils are 50 days away from kicking off the 2024-25 season. With the big signings long behind them, we’re in the throes of summer as players begin packing up their lives and heading to hockey cities.

While the Devils have been relatively quiet, there has been movement in the Metropolitan Division. Here’s a look at all the news from the past few weeks.

New Jersey Devils

The Devils have one remaining restricted free agent to sign. Dawson Mercer, 22, is still without a contract. The Hockey News has reached out to his agent for an update, but has not received a response at the time of publication.
Evgeny Kuznetsov’s contract with the Carolina Hurricanes was terminated on July 18, 2024. The 32-year-old signed a four-year contract with SKA Saint Petersburg of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) as a free agent. He played his NHL career for the Washington Capitals and Hurricanes in the Metropolitan Division. He scored more points against the Devils (36) than any other team in the league.

Despite trade talk and rumors, Patrik Laine remains a member of the Columbus Blue Jackets. In a recent interview with Mark Scheig of The Hockey Writers“As we’re talking about this (Thursday afternoon, 8/15), I don’t have anything on the table that would make any sense for the Blue Jackets to do that deal,” general manager Don Waddell said.
The Islanders signed Oliver Wahlstrom to a one-year contract in late July. The 24-year-old earned six points (two goals, four assists) in 32 games last season.
On August 13, the Pittsburgh Penguins acquired forward Cody Glass, a 2025 third-round draft pick and a 2026 sixth-round draft pick from the Nashville Predators in exchange for forward Jordan Frasca. Glass has three points in four games against the Devils in his career.

Capitals of Washington

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