Confirmed with Link: Jonathan Kovacevic traded to NJ for 2026 4th

[minibrodeur]

Fitz not gonna let injuries derail the D this year. Got some good insurance here.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

can he play the left side?

 

[Peter Sidorkiewicz]

Nemec insurance.

Pesce insurance if that deal falls over

 

[TheUnseenHand]

I could see DeSimone getting claimed. I hope the strategy is not to yoyo him, but you almost have to now without another move.

 

[Captain3rdLine]

This is what Keefe had in Toronto to. Always 10 or more NHL D around somehow

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

we still have two other 2026 fourths FYI, based on trades made yesterday

 

[StevenToddIves]

The Stanley Cup is as good as ours.

 

[Xirik]

does this mean the Devils aren't after dillon anymore?

 

[Nubmer6]

does this mean the Devils aren't after dillon anymore?

Dillon is a LHD. We still need someone on the left side.

 

[Forge]

The Stanley Cup is as good as ours.

Yep. With all the smol Bois out of the picture, we will just hold the cup out of the reach of other players

 

[Captain3rdLine]

does this mean the Devils aren't after dillon anymore?

Not at all. Looks like a cheap and solid 7th D.

 

[Forge]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1807536653738635675

I am amused

 

[Captain3rdLine]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1807536653738635675

I am amused

Fitz must’ve been at this game.

 

[Devils Trap]

Love how Fitz is grabbing big players who can actually play.

Unlike the Macdermid's of the world

 

[Forge]

I can't believe they were able to just replace Brenden Smith and add a pker like this.

I was under the impression that it was impossible

 

[Mr Bojanglez]

we still have two other 2026 fourths FYI, based on trades made yesterday

Based on the conditions - it looks like we're locked into keep those other 2 4ths. like we can't trade them. No big deal.

 

[JK3]

Why/Meh whatever, whats wrong with Desimone? Never heard of this dude, he's better than Smith? Can he play on the 4th line as well?

 

[Captain3rdLine]

Why/Meh whatever, whats wrong with Desimone? Never heard of this dude.

Depth baby

 

[Devilsgrl35]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1807536653738635675

I am amused

New Devil on new Devil crime here.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1807530798616055898

 

[Forge]

Based on the conditions - it looks like we're locked into keep those other 2 4ths. like we can't trade them. No big deal.

No, you just have to make any subsequent trades of those other two 4th round subservient to the condition on this trade. They can still be traded

 

[Mr Bojanglez]

No, you just have to make any subsequent trades of those other two 4th round subservient to the condition on this trade. They can still be traded

right. but you would have to wait till end of the season in 2026, no? Either way its not really a problem.

 

[OldCraig71]

He's a solid bottom-pair defenseman who does well if not asked to do too much, Hughes got him off the waiver wire from the Jets. Most of us figured he would be one of the players moved with so many of our young D ready to audition for full-time spots on the blue line.

 

[Moist ReadOnly]

Pesce insurance if that deal falls over

That deal will be going through - we didnt trade Marino without 100% certainty hes coming here

 

[EnglishDevil]

I really like the Kovacevic & Cotter additions, both are cheap yet effective NHL regulars.

I don't think this changes the calculus when it comes to potentially adding both Pesce & a LHD such as Dillon in UFA tomorrow. Hughes & Nemec are both extremely young and we absolutely overplayed them to their own detriment last season, their effectiveness clearly waned as the rigors of the NHL schedule caught up with them.

Having cheap yet effective depth defenders like Kovacevic, DeSimone & Hatakka will allow us to give others a night off once in a while without significantly impacting our on ice performance; not to mention providing insurance against the reality that Hamilton, Siegenthaler & Pesce are all somewhat injury prone.