Devils Digest: The Latest Happenings From The Metropolitan Division

Devils Digest: The Latest Happenings From The Metropolitan Division

NEWARK, N.J. -- The New Jersey Devils are 50 days away from kicking off the 2024-25 season. With the major signings well in the rearview mirror, we are in the dog days of summer as players begin packing up their lives and making their way to the hockey cities.

While the Devils have been relatively quiet, moves have occurred around the Metropolitan Division. Here is a rundown of all the news from the past few weeks.

New Jersey Devils

• The Devils have one remaining restricted free agent that needs to be signed. Dawson Mercer , 22, remains without a contract. The Hockey News has reached out to his agent for an update but has not received a response at the time of publication.

Related: 3 Reasons Dawson Mercer Is a Long-Term Player for the Devils

Carolina Hurricanes

• Evgeny Kuznetsov's contract with the Carolina Hurricanes was terminated on July 18, 2024. The 32-year-old signed a four-year contract with SKA Saint Petersburg of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) as a free agent. He spent his NHL career playing for the Washington Capitals and Hurricanes in the Metropolitan Division. He had more points against the Devils (36) than any other team in the league.

Columbus Blue Jackets

• Despite trade talk and rumors, Patrik Laine remains a member of the Columbus Blue Jackets. In a recent interview with Mark Scheig of The Hockey Writers , general manager Don Waddell shared , "As we are talking (Thursday afternoon, 8/15), I don't have anything that on the table that would even make any sense for the Blue Jackets to make that deal."

New York Islanders

• In an interview with Ethan Sears of the New York Post , New York Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello shared that the club will "probably be moving on" from Cal Clutterbuck and Matt Martin.

• The Islanders signed Oliver Wahlstrom to a one-year contract in late July. The 24-year-old earned six points (two goals, four assists) in 32 games last season.

Related: 13 Rapid-Fire Questions With Devils' Captain Nico Hischier

Pittsburgh Penguins

• On Aug. 13, the Pittsburgh Penguins acquired forward Cody Glass, a 2025 third-round draft pick, and a 2026 sixth-round draft pick from the Nashville Predators in exchange for forward Jordan Frasca. Glass has three points in four games against the Devils in his career.

Washington Capitals

• The Washington Capitals have extended a PTO (professional tryout) invitation to Jakub Vrana. The 28-year-old was drafted by the Capitals 13th overall in 2014 and appeared in 284 games with the club.

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