Continuing to look at unrestricted free agents that could be of interest to the New Jersey Devils, we move on to defenders. Who might the Devils want to bring in to supplement their blue line?
As we continue on with looking at the needs and wants for the New Jersey Devils this summer, today we move into position that seems relatively set: defense. With five players under NHL contract, two more on entry level deals, and a looking contract renewal for Luke Hughes, the Devils don’t necessarily need much for their blue line. At the same time, Jonathan Kovacevic will not be ready for the beginning of the season, and the team will be looking to improve on a disappointing end to the last campaign, so there might be a move to make after all.
This Edition’s Quick Note
Before we begin today, I wanted to preface that this will not be a very in depth piece, and rather more of a quick look at some of the available names. The reason behind this is, because, as I said above, the Devils really aren’t going to be looking for any major pieces on the back end, at least not in free agency if you believe the rumors floating around. For that reason, most of today’s names will be quick hits to fill out depth for the team.
I will be looking at a couple of big names as well though, because again, last year’s team wasn’t good enough. Now, with just over $12 million available, and the Hughes contract probably taking a big chunk of that, the Devils won’t have a ton of cap space (even if they put Kovacevic on LTIR) left after. With that information, bear in mind the team might need to make a move to fit some of the players discussed today. I will not be going into those moves here, but know that I won’t use that as a reason for the Devils to not pursue them.
Aaron Ekblad
Ekblad is arguably the biggest name that will be available this summer, and is currently still playing at the time of writing in the Stanley Cup Finals. The first overall selection of the 2014 draft has spent his entire career as a Panther up until this point. While he’s missed some time with injuries in recent seasons, he’s still played an important role in helping to make the franchise a credible contender and delivering the first Stanley Cup in team history last year. Regardless of the result of the playoffs, the Panthers will surely be looking at bringing Ekblad back, as his anticipated cap hit isn’t much higher than his previous $7.5 million.
With two straight cup finals, 732 games of NHL experiences and 380 regular season points, there will be no shortage of suitors for Ekblad this summer for anyone looking to improve their defense. He can play in any situation, and brings size, experience and leadership to any team he could potentially join. He’s the “big fish” on defense this summer, and is probably going to look to cash in on one last big contract in his career.
AFP Analytics Prediction: 7 years, $7.8 million per season
Why He Could Work: If the Devils want to add a big name in the prime of his career, this is the available guy. In a world with a rising cap, Ekblad might not even be Top 5 in terms of contract cost depending upon Luke’s new deal. Bringing in a player with a championship pedigree who can eat up 20+ minutes a night could be the type of change that propels the Devils to further success. If he wants to come here and Tom Fitzgerald can make the cap work, again this could be the type of move that corrects course for the team.
Why He Probably Won’t Work: A lot of teams will probably be looking at Ekblad and there will be quite a few who can outbid New Jersey. As such, Ekblad is likely to accept a more lucrative deal elsewhere. Additionally, at his anticipated price, adding Ekblad would adversely impact the team’s cap structure going forward, as all the Devils space probably vanishes between him and Luke Hughes. As the team still has other areas they need to improve, Ekblad probably won’t be a Devil.
Dmitry Orlov
Orlov is another known name that will once again be hitting unrestricted free agency this summer. A second round draft pick of the Washington Capitals in 2009, Orlov spent most of his career with them before they moved him to the Boston Bruins prior to his first time hitting UFA status in 2022-23. Known more for his defense than his offense, the lefty would be a strong addition to any group looking to strengthen their ability to keep the puck moving out of their own end.
Having spent the past two season with the Carolina Hurricanes, Orlov played in all but six contests, bringing 54 points across that time. Orlov is a good, reliable second pair defender, and he can play up on a first pair if needed as well. With the defense market being a little light this summer, again, I could see a lot of teams inquiring about his desire to play for them to help improve their back end.
AFP Analytics Prediction: 3 years, $5.8 million per season
Why He Could Work: The Devils will be looking to replace a player who has essentially been a second pair guy for them in Kovacevic. Orlov would go a long way in absorbing those minutes, and could provide the Devils with another player capable of getting the puck away from opponents and moving where the team wants it to.
Why He Probably Won’t Work: The Devils are pretty set on every night lefties once Luke Hughes re-signs, and at the anticipated price, that’s money that would be spent upgrading other spots. The Devils also still have the righties who finished the postseason in their lineup, those being Dougie Hamilton, Brett Pesce and Simon Nemec. Again, the Devils probably won’t be in on the bigger names since there’s other, more important focuses, unless they decide to make a drastic change.
Quick Thoughts on Some Other UFA Defenders
Nate Schmidt: Something of a mid-tier option here, Schmidt is also still in the postseason right now with Florida. He’s a dependable enough option and still should have a few good years left in him. With 239 points and 741 NHL games under his belt, Schmidt could be a good fill in while Kovacevic is out and could help the Devils to be a deeper team. At a projected roughly $3 million on a two year deal, Schmidt is affordable, but as I’ve said a few times, the Devils might want to spend that type of money improving other parts of their lineup.
Travis Dermott: Dermott has NHL experience, but after a short stint with Edmonton early this season, he was picked up by Minnesota before being waived again and reclaimed by Edmonton. He would spend the rest of the season with their minor league affiliate in Bakersfield. He projects to be a league minimum depth acquisition, and while he’s been an NHLer, those days might be behind him.
Parker Wotherspoon: Wotherspoon took some time to find his path to the NHL, but has turned in a pair of respectable seasons for Boston the past two years. He’s mostly a third pair player, but if the Devils are adding, that’s honestly the role they’re looking for. He projects to get a two year deal at $1.35 per season, and the Devils should be interested, as he would be good left-handed depth at that price.
Mike Reilly: Reilly had a good 2023-24 for the Islanders but missed most of 2024-25 due to a concussion and heart condition. With those now behind him, he will be looking to become an NHL mainstay again in 2025-26. Another left handed shooter who could be had for an estimate of less than $1 million, Reilly could still be an effective depth option.
John Klingberg: Klingberg is still alive in the postseason as well, and while some thought he was washed up, he’s shown this season he still has something in the tank. He can play both sides of the ice as well, and that versatility could have some value to the Devils. Estimated to cost just under $2 million for next season, a vet with some offensive skill from either side of the ice could be a good piece of insurance.
Oliver Kylington: The reclamation project of this article, Kylington took a chunk of time away from his NHL career before making a comeback in 2023-24. After his return to the Calgary Flames, he spent time with Colorado and Anaheim. Once seen as an up and coming mid-pair defender, he’s looking to be a fringe guy on a league minimum deal. If the Devils want younger depth and feel Kylington could be reclaimed in Sheldon Keefe’s system, he could be an underrated pickup.
Experienced Depth Vets
Erik Johnson and Jack Johnson are both nearing the end of their respective careers on the back end and should be available for league minimum or close to it. While I’m not advocating for either one necessarily (both struggle with the speed aspect of the game at this point) having either one as a veteran presence and a spot in 7th guy wouldn’t be the worst thing. Travis Hamonic is a slight bit younger, but has lost a step as well; he projects slightly above league average for salary, but again, should only be looked at as a vet/not every night guy.
Final Thoughts and Your Take
By no means is this a full list, as if you look at that AFP Analytics spreadsheet, you’ll notice there are quite a few other UFA defensemen listed with varying degrees of skill and experience. Today’s list is just a sampling of which players will be available for all 32 teams to bid on their services. Some obviously will have more attention on them than others, but for the Devils, the options will depend on their direction: do they want to go after a big name while parting with an existing piece, or do they just supplement their lineup with depth guys? Either path gives them a chance to upgrade their roster, but they need to decide where to apportion their cap and which positions to prioritize.
What are your thoughts on the options for defenders in unrestricted free agency; do you want the Devils chasing big names or just depth pieces? Are there any players not discussed here that are UFAs that you would like to see in red and black next season? Are you worried about overspending with the perceived lack of quality options? Leave any and all comments below and thanks as always for reading!