Nick Bjugstad is one of two players the Devils acquired before the trade deadline. Bruce Bennett / Getty Images
March 6, 2026 3:09 pm EST
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In: Maxim Tsyplakov, Nick Bjugstad
Out: Ondřej Palát, 2026 third-round pick, 2027 sixth-round pick, Thomas Bordeleau, 2026 fourth-round pick, Luke Glendening (waivers to Philadelphia)
Grade: D+
The Devils didn’t change much at the deadline. Dougie Hamilton stayed, as did Šimon Nemec, who found himself in rumors as the deadline neared. Palát was the biggest subtraction New Jersey made from its lineup, but that happened more than a month ago. The team also lost depth center Luke Glendening to waivers, with the Flyers claiming him on Friday. Fitzgerald also put Maxim Tsyplakov and Evgenii Dadonov on waivers, though both cleared. Given those decisions, the Devils could potentially give some younger players more opportunities down the stretch.
Fitzgerald added Bjugstad before the Olympic roster freeze. He’s a depth center but doesn’t radically change the way the lineup looks. The Devils essentially acknowledged that they are not a playoff contender this deadline and did not add significant pieces. Perhaps more surprisingly, they also didn’t subtract from the roster. Center Cody Glass, under contract for another season at $2.5 million average annual value, felt like a potential candidate to move given the high prices centers fetched this deadline. But Fitzgerald clearly did not get any offers he felt warranted a trade. — Peter Baugh
This story will be updated.
Mar 6, 2026
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