Well, last night was fun. The New Jersey Devils‘ victory over the Utah Mammoth was good, too. However, two buzzer […]
Well, last night was fun. The New Jersey Devils‘ victory over the Utah Mammoth was good, too. However, two buzzer beaters tricking in before the Holiday Roster Freeze was implemented was a touch more interesting.
More on who was moved and to where below.
In the links, the Devils are in the market, and it’s clear a center is their No.1 priority. They just have to look elsewhere.
Plus, Toronto turmoil, Pittsburgh’s official sale, and Matthew Tkachuk is getting closer.
Let’s do that hockey.
Devils Trade Rumors & News
New Jersey Hockey Now: The Devils need a center, and they’ve been scouring the league for a potential fit. Out of Los Angeles, Phillip Danault‘s name has surfaced, and Tom Fitzgerald placed a call on the veteran forward.
However, just before midnight, the Montreal Canadiens re-acquired Danault, who is now off the trade market.
The Canadiens have acquired forward Phillip Danault from the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for a 2026 second-round pick.
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) December 20, 2025
News release ↓ #GoHabsGohttps://t.co/u7S9L9pJnb
More NJHN: By the way, the Devils won’t be able to acquire Danault now for the next eight days. The Holiday Roster Freeze is now in effect. Here’s the Devils impact.
Even More: Last night in Utah was the kind of Mammoth game the Devils needed from Jacob Markstrom. He made 2.93 saves above expected, and helped propel New Jersey to victory over the Mammoth.
Devils Rink Report: We had a great show yesterday with guest Ryan Novozinsky, who stopped in for his monthly check-in. Plenty on the doc was discussed, from Quinn Hughes fallout, to Dougie Hamilton’s contract, and Tom Fitzgerald’s body of work. Subscribe, and tune in here 👇🏼
Be sure to like and subscribe to Devils Rink Report, and turn on those notifications for when we go LIVE every Friday on YouTube!
NHL Trade Talk, News, & National Hockey Now
Danault wasn’t the only trade that happened before the Holiday Freeze went into effect. The Columbus Blue Jackets traded for Mason Marchment, ending his short stint with the Seattle Kraken.
Mason Marchment is heading to the Columbus Blue Jackets for a 2nd and a 4th round pick per @FriedgeHNIC.
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) December 20, 2025
Marchment played 29 games total with the Kraken. pic.twitter.com/Mrbq3itFXS
Forever Blueshirts: Since Adam Fox has gone down with an injury, the New York Rangers have actually improved. I’m not suggesting those two things are connected. However, some players have stepped up their game, while others have wavered. So, who is rising and dropping their stock?
Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Officially official. The Pittsburgh Penguins have officially transferred ownership to the Hoffman family, who acquired the team on Friday.
Florida Hockey Now: Matthew Tkachuk is coming closer and closer to joining the Florida Panthers for the first time this season, although Paul Maurice says he still does not know when that will be.
Vegas Hockey Now: The Vegas Golden Knights were without Jack Eichel and Shea Theodore against the Devils the other night. Here’s the update from Bruce Cassidy on Sin City’s top players.
Philly Hockey Now: This was a bit of a surprise to me. The Philadelphia Flyers waived Egor Zamula on Thursday. He cleared on Friday, and he is now in the AHL.
Montreal Hockey Now: The Montreal Canadiens have been doing well with young, puck-moving blueliners. Lane Hutson is certainly evidence of that. Adam Engstrom is the next young, smooth-skating defenseman for the Habs, and Marc Dumont takes a look at how he’s adjusting to the NHL upon recall.
Toronto Hockey Now: It feels as though something’s got to come to a head with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Things haven’t changed under head coach Craig Berube, and he’s thrown the roster right under the bus. It’s… ugly.
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Category: General Sports
