The New Jersey Devils are getting ahead of the trade deadline as they have acquired defenseman Brian Dumoulin from the Anaheim Ducks.
Hearing #NJDevils sending a second-round pick and prospect to Anaheim for Brian Dumoulin.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) March 6, 2025
New Jersey is sending one of its 2025 second-round picks and a prospect, Herman Traff, to the Ducks for the left-shot defenseman. There is a condition on the second round pick, which is the earlier of the Edmonton or Winnipeg selection.
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The Ducks retain 50 percent of Dumoilin’s $3.5 million cap hit, hence why the Devils had to throw in a sweetener. The Ducks had two retention slots left as they were retaining on Fowler. 50 percent is a steep price, thus Traff had to go the other way.
The Ducks are retaining 50 percent on Dumoulin’s $3.15M cap hit.
2nd RD pick going to Anaheim is this year’s draft.
and again, prospect going to Ducks is Herman Traff— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) March 6, 2025
Brian Dumoulin is a left-shot defenseman who can play on the second pair. The Devils have issues with their defense right now. Jonas Siegenthaler is out after having surgery after he suffered an injury before the Four Nations Faceoff. Not to mention Dougie Hamilton is sidelined week to week with a lower body injury after suffering a knee injury Tuesday night in a loss to the Dallas Stars.
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Not to mention, there is a familiarity here. Dumoulin was brought to the Pittsburgh Penguins when Tom Fitzgerald was assistant GM there to help them win back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2016 and 2017. He is a steady, stay-at-home guy who can move the puck out of the zone.
Brian Dumoulin, acquired by NJ, is a veteran defensive defenceman. Capable at keeping the puck out of dangerous areas, solid first pass, and good defensive stick. Not particularly physical. #NJDevils pic.twitter.com/IdnBSdoHeB
— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) March 6, 2025
Meanwhile, the Ducks are getting a solid up and coming defenseman from the Devils. This could be a nice depth piece when the Ducks are really ready to take off. It is unclear if he would have made the Devils team down the road.
In the Dumoulin trade we’re saying goodbye to Herman Träff, who I had as the #9 player in the Devils pool.
Ducks fans, here’s what I had to say on Träff back in January. Physical winger with a bottom six projection #FlyTogether https://t.co/oXYHMeN1Dn pic.twitter.com/b9VUflqmwm
— Brandon Holmes (@BHolmes_Hockey) March 6, 2025
Herman Träff, now on his way to Anaheim in the Dumoulin trade, has taken a nice step this year playing pro hockey. Was a depth forward on Sweden’s U20 team. Shined in a brief Allsvenskan loan before going back to HV71 in SHL. Little bit of a project, but some upside for sure.
— Chris Peters (@chrismpeters) March 6, 2025
The Devils were active heading into the Trade Deadline before the injuries to Hamilton and Jack Hughes. They remain active as their goal is to get to the players. They can’t be sellers; they must add. Devils President and GM Tom Fitzgerald took the first step.
It will be interesting to see what they do next. Will they go big-game hunting before the Friday deadline? The next real need is upfront at the center position and scoring.
