Confirmed with Link: Kovacevic Traded to the Devils for 2026 4th Round pick (Highest of the three 4th Rounders the Devils own)

[red devil]

The Devils have their own 4th and the Jets and Stars in 2026

 

[Whalers Fan]

Nah they would just need to have one left.

Not if the condition is the Habs get the highest of their current three 4th round picks.

 

[Bottle Rocket]

So, does that mean that NJ cannot trade any of their three 4th round picks for two years?

They can, but they need to attach conditions like 2nd highest or lowest of the 4th rounders.

KH is playing the long game of making it mentally difficult for others to craft new trades

 

[red devil]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1807532594566750457

 

[SamHabsFan]

Justin Barron says hi

is he really considered to be de facto on the roster though? I know he is not waiver eligible anymore but, he's more of AHL/NHL tweener kind of guy...I guess he will battle it out with Mailloux and Reinbacher at camp!

 

[Victoire HuGo]

I'm on board with it. Good dude but better trade him until he needs to be waived and we lose him for nothing

 

[HabsWhiteKnightLOL]

Hutson - Savard
Matheson - Reinbacher
Guhle - Mailloux
Struble - Barron
Harris

Still need to make room

Hutson Reinbacher abd Mailloux are not all starting in Montreal

 

[Treal]

Good! I liked Kovacevic but he always should've been the first D to be moved out. And you get a free pick for a waiver claim.

 

[Chili]

Better than losing him on waivers I guess. That will be a consideration with Barron too. Kovacevic was a good soldier for the team, seemed to be well liked in the room too.

 

[The Great Weal]

Why not just like add a 5th to one of the 4ths instead of handcuffing yourself by being unable to trade any of them for 2 years lol

 

[HabsWhiteKnightLOL]

Since we acquired Zadorov tomorrow....

Dear God id puke dudes so bad

 

[Rapala]

No shortage of right handed d-men? Only if some prospects win their spots I believe. Are they making it easy for Mailloux?

Or we're getting a RD UFA...

A top veteran RD with 4 or 5 good years left while trading Matheson and moving Guhle back to LD where he belongs.
That is the only scenario we'd move Matheson IMO. It also has to be a contract we can move if eventually the Kids push him out.

 

[Whalers Fan]

They can, but they need to attach conditions like 2nd highest or lowest of the 4th rounders.

KH is playing the long game of making it mentally difficult for others to craft new trades

By the time 2026 arrives, the conditions on this pick could be more complicated than next year's first rounder from Calgary / Florida.

 

[vokiel]

A top veteran RD with 4 or 5 good years left while trading Matheson and moving Guhle back to LD where he belongs.
That is the only scenario we'd move Matheson IMO. It also has to be a contract we can move if eventually the Kids push him out.

Just a vet who can put 20+ minutes per games on the right side would make Savard expendable at the dead line.

 

[HabbyGuy]

Hutson Reinbacher abd Mailloux are not all starting in Montreal

Hutson is the only one who legitimately can force himself onto the team, at this juncture. No need to rush the others.

 

[Rapala]

I expected a 3rd but I guess HuGo can have a bit of slack, this one time.

They were all set to give us a third but then said WAIT...
didn't you get him on waivers.
Kent had to capitulate we need the space.

 

[HuGort]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1807529595794522216

The pick will be the highest of the three fourth-rounders currently owned by the Devils in 2026.

I figured they wouldn't protect him coming out of camp. We were too deep on Blueline.

 

[Ezpz]

Surprising to be honest we aren't deep at RD and I wouldn't expect savard to stay healthy. I guess Barron is being given a spot and Reinbacher will be up mid season.

 

[gusfring]

I would have kept him.

 

[Max2]

I hate making trades with New Jersey.....they are a mickey mouse team and a bunch of cheapskates!

 

[SwiftyHab]

Wonder if this is a precursor to another trade or just clearing space

 

[zx81]

Hutson is the only one who legitimately can force himself onto the team, at this juncture. No need to rush the others.

I will be really disappointed if Hutson does not make the team. I would understand but still be disappointed.

 

[ChesterNimitz]

Good point, they seem to be much better at drafting and planning in the first 3 rounds.

Selecting Florian Xhekaj in the fourth round would tend to disprove this generalization. ‘

 

[Canadienna]

We actully don't, atleast not right away. Struble Reinbacher and Mailloux will all start in Laval. I'm sure of it.

Hughes is buying time for Harris and Barron. Unless he can get value he deems worthy for Harris he won't just move him for the sake of it.

Going into a training camp having already decided where eager prospects are going to play is not a recipe for success in my opinion.

 

[OnTheRun]

I would have kept him.

Brace yourself then, he's just the first one to go.