One of the more under analyzed storylines going into the 2026-27 New Jersey Devils season is Sheldon Keefe’s seat as the head coach, and it’s time to have the conversation. Keefe is heading into year three of his contract, and his results as the head coach have been a mixed bag.
I dove into why Keefe’s entering a pivatol season below.
At the same time, the Samu Salminen situation didn’t wrap up cleanly after the August 15 deadline. The Devils still hold his rights, and it’s more complicated than it first appeared. Daniel Amoia with more below as well.
Elsewhere, Cutter Gauthier rejects a massive contract extension, Drake Batherson’s extension talks with Ottawa are heating up as the eight-year window closes, a prospect changes hands in a quiet trade, and more around the league.
Devils Trade Rumors & News
New Jersey Hockey Now: Here’s why this is Sheldon Keefe’s make-or-break year as Devils coach, with no remaining buffer after two seasons and a staff that now fully reflects the direction he and Sunny Mehta want. Sheldon Keefe
Prospect Samu Salminen’s status is more complicated than Saturday’s deadline suggested. The Devils still hold his NHL rights after he did not complete the steps to become an unrestricted free agent. Samu Salminen
📺 Devils Rink Report: The Devils’ blue line is largely unchanged this season with the exception of Simon Nemec’s departure. It’s especially surprising given Dougie Hamilton wasn’t expected to be in New Jersey next season. Mehta explained on the latest Devils Rink Report he believes in a bounce-back performance from the defense, headlined by Hamilton and Luke Hughes.
Mehta joined Devils Rink Report LIVE to talk about New Jersey’s summer thus far, Jack Hughes, his roster additions, and more. Tune in! 👇🏼
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NHL Trade Talk, News & National Hockey Now
It’s been a rough summer for the Anaheim Ducks who continue to get peppered with huge contracts. Leo Carlsson’s $18 million offer sheet was matched, and now Cutter Gauthier reportedly turned down a sizeable extension.
Woof.
Word today from reliable sources that Anaheim has offered RFA Cutter Gauthier $13M at four years.
Rejected by Gauthier and his agent Kurt Overhardt.
In the moment, per @PuckPedia , the Ducks are just over $9M in salary cap.
Suffice to say, if/when Gauthier signs, the Ducks…
— PaulShaheen (@PaulShaheen) August 16, 2026
Detroit Hockey Now: With Steve Yzerman shifting to a senior advisor role, Shawn Horcoff is temporarily steering the Detroit Red Wings’ day-to-day hockey operations—though without the power to make trades. Bob Duff investigates the uncertainty surrounding the rest of the front office, where other executives appear largely inactive. Is the entire Red Wings hockey ops staff living on borrowed time?
TSN: The Buffalo Sabres traded prospect Stiven Sardarian to the Carolina Hurricanes for future considerations in a quiet deal announced Monday.
Drake Batherson is seeking an eight-year deal from the Ottawa Senators before the Sept. 15 deadline that would close that term window.
Calgary is facing a decision on Morgan Frost’s future, with an extension looking like the best option even as trade-deadline value remains real.
Pro Hockey Rumors: Drake Batherson and the Ottawa Senators remain distant on a next contract as the Sept. 15 deadline to lock in an eight-year term approaches.
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