The New Jersey Devils were supposed to have an active NHL Trade Deadline. They were looking to bolster their scoring, especially in the top six. After not bringing back Tyler Toffoli and trading him last year at the deadline, the Devils have been looking to replace his production. The Devils circled two targets at the deadline, Brock Boeser of the Vancouver Canucks and Rikard Rakell of the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Before the March 7th NHL Trade Deadline, Devils President and GM Tom Fitzgerald sought to help his top-six by adding a goal scorer. However, with the injuries to Jack Hughes, Dougie Hamilton, and Jonas Siegenthaler, things changed. Before those injuries, there were reports that they had an interest in Boeser and even Mikko Rantanen of the Carolina Hurricanes.
In a recent episode of @FullPressNHL Podcast… @chriswassel and I confirm the asking price for Rakell at the deadline and how the Devils would have to pay the divisional premium to get him.
Watch, Like, Subscribe: https://t.co/ILMvplYIi1 #njdevils #letsgopens https://t.co/EdtXCAsPCI pic.twitter.com/6FTbeogN57
— Jim Biringer (@JimBiringer) March 15, 2025
In addition to those two, the Devils even tried to trade for Rickard Rakell of the Pittsburgh Penguins. However, as Chris Wassel of NHLRumors.com stated on the Full Press Hockey Podcast, the asking price was too high for them to make the trade.
New Jersey Devils Had To Change Trade Deadline Plans
Chris Wassel: “The other guy that Devils were in on, and this is where the old divisional premium comes in, and it got ridiculous, was Rickard Rakell. Pittsburgh wanted to basically what amounted to be a first-round pick and a conditional first for Rakell plus a low-end prospect.”
Jim Biringer: “That’s a lot for Rickard Rakell.”
Wassel: “And look, I get this. Rakell has been able to rejuvenate his career after a lot of people thought it was done due to injuries, right? Was he their most valuable trade chip? Oh, absolutely. There’s not even a discussion there. Were you going to get what you wanted for him?”
Biringer: “No.”
Wassel: “No. So, Pittsburgh quickly figured out that wasn’t going to happen. You weren’t going to get the moon and star treatment, and they backed off.”
The report above confirms what Frank Seravalli on the DFO Rundown Podcast: The Penguins were seeking two first-round picks and the team’s top prospect in exchange for Rickard Rakell. Given this, it was not a logical move for the Devils to pursue the trade. It makes sense the Devils made the depth they did.
Did the New Jersey Devils Do Enough at the Trade Deadline?
It’s understandable why Pittsburgh was asking for so much in return. If they traded him to New Jersey, they would face him for the next three seasons. Given that the Penguins are attempting to retool on the fly, similar to the Washington Capitals, it makes sense for them to seek a divisional premium. However, if the Devils weren’t willing to move Simon Nemec or Dawson Mercer for Brayden Schenn, why move those players to a divisional opponent?
It appeared Penguins GM Kyle Dubas was asking for more for Rakell than he was for Jake Guentzel last season, but there were no takers at the deadline. Thus, Fitzgerald went in a different direction, adding Cody Glass from the Penguins instead. Glas cost them Chase Stillman, Max Graham, and a 2027 third-round pick. That was the premium they spent on a third-line center.
In addition, the Devils added more depth, acquiring Brian Dumoulin from Anaheim and Daniel Sprong from Seattle. There was a change of direction as it was a seller’s market, and asking prices for the top six scoring wingers were just too high.
