As the New Jersey Devils enter the 2025 offseason, the team faces significant decisions that will shape its future. With General Manager Tom Fitzgerald already stating that the team will not be returning with the same roster, fans and analysts alike are eager to see how the Devils navigate their salary cap situation and make key roster moves. The team, while showing promising strides in recent years, is still looking to build a more competitive roster for the 2025-26 season.
In this article, we’ll break down the Devils’ salary cap and roster situation, key contract details, and the impending decisions that could affect the team’s performance in the upcoming season. With free agency on the horizon and several key players up for contract renewals, the offseason promises to be an exciting and pivotal time for the Devils organization.
The New Jersey Devils’ Salary Cap Breakdown for 2025-26
As of May 2025, the Devils have approximately $83.46 million committed to player contracts for the 2025-26 season, according to PuckPedia. With the NHL’s salary cap ceiling set at $95.5 million, that leaves New Jersey with around $12.04 million in cap space to work with during the offseason. However, the precise cap space is subject to change based on various factors like demotions, call-ups, and new signings, so it’s crucial for the team to stay flexible.
The current cap figure includes some notable players under contract, such as young prospects Seamus Casey ($0.95 million), Simon Nemec ($0.918 million), and goalie Nico Daws ($0.8125 million). If the Devils decide to send Casey and Daws to the AHL, the cap space could increase to approximately $13.8 million, which could make a difference when signing free agents or acquiring a new player through trade.
One factor that helped New Jersey’s cap space was the end of Ilya Kovalchuk’s cap recapture penalty, which saved the team $0.25 million. Similarly, the expiration of Trent Frederic’s salary retention helped reduce the overall cap hit by $0.575 million. On the flip side, the Devils will have to deal with $1 million in performance bonus overages, which will further reduce their available cap room.
Pending Free Agents: Who Will Stay and Who Will Go?
As of May 2025, the Devils have several players on expiring contracts, including key figures in both the NHL roster and the AHL. The team will need to make decisions regarding who to re-sign, who to let go, and who to possibly trade in order to free up space for new acquisitions.
While the details of individual player contracts and negotiations are still being finalized, a few names stand out as critical to the Devils’ plans moving forward. The team’s priority will be managing their restricted and unrestricted free agents, including several players who played pivotal roles during the 2024-25 season.
A topic of much speculation has been the potential for the Devils to make a trade for Vancouver Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes. With Vancouver’s uncertain future with Hughes, the Devils have been linked to the star defenseman. However, the Devils should tread carefully when considering any blockbuster deals. The trade rumors around Hughes suggest that young prospects like Simon Nemec and Seamus Casey could be on the table, but trading away these young, promising players would be a risky move. Nemec, in particular, showed his potential during the 2025 playoffs, notably scoring the game-winning goal in overtime during the Devils’ Game 3 victory against the Carolina Hurricanes. The value of these young assets is high, and parting with them could hinder the team’s long-term development.
In addition to Nemec and Casey, the team will also need to evaluate players like Dawson Mercer, Erik Haula, and others whose contracts are also set to expire. With the salary cap tight, making the right choices in terms of resigning key players and trading for new talent will be essential.
Erik Haula: A Key Player to Watch
One player whose future with the team is up for discussion is veteran forward Erik Haula. Haula, who carries a $3.15 million cap hit for the 2025-26 season, had an underwhelming regular season in 2024-25, tallying just 21 points in 69 games. His performance dipped significantly compared to previous years, and he struggled in several advanced metrics, including Corsi and expected goals. Despite his poor regular-season performance, Haula showed significant improvement in the playoffs, playing a key role on the second line alongside Dawson Mercer and Jesper Bratt.
While Haula didn’t score many points during the postseason, his advanced stats suggested a much stronger overall game. In the 2025 playoff series against Carolina, Haula’s line was one of the few that managed to generate consistent offensive pressure against a dominant Hurricanes defense. His ability to win key faceoffs and his chemistry with Bratt were vital to his success, and if he can carry this momentum into next season, he could provide valuable depth to the Devils’ middle-six forward group.
The question now is whether the Devils will stick with Haula, who has shown flashes of brilliance in the postseason, or explore other options in free agency. Haula’s $3.15 million salary could be a burden if his regular-season form doesn’t improve, especially with the team already burdened by Ondrej Palat’s $6 million per year contract through the 2026-27 season.
The Devils’ Future Outlook: Cap Flexibility and Opportunities
Despite the challenges that come with managing a tight salary cap, the Devils are in a relatively strong position heading into the offseason. The team has an impressive core of young players like Jack Hughes, Nico Hischier, and Jesper Bratt, who are expected to continue being foundational pieces of the team’s success. With the potential to add new talent via free agency and trades, the Devils’ future looks promising.
The $12 million in cap space, while not expansive, should be enough to make a significant addition or two, whether through signing a free agent or making a trade. The team’s overall depth, however, will depend on how effectively they manage their young players and integrate new talent into the system.
Final Thoughts: A Crucial Offseason for the New Jersey Devils
As the 2025 offseason kicks off, the New Jersey Devils find themselves at a crossroads. With an eye on the future and the need to address current weaknesses, the Devils have the salary cap flexibility and young assets to make significant changes. How the front office navigates free agency, trades, and contract negotiations will ultimately determine whether the team can take the next step toward championship contention.
Stay tuned for updates as the Devils look to make the right moves, re-sign key players, and possibly even pull off a blockbuster trade in the coming months. The 2025 offseason promises to be a defining period in the franchise’s development.