The New Jersey Devils’ 2025-26 season was supposed to be a statement. Instead, it turned into a slow-motion train wreck that left fans wondering if the franchise’s window was already closing. A promising start crumbled into a second-to-last-place finish in the Metropolitan Division, with just 87 points to show for a roster that was supposed to contend. The slide was fueled by injuries — franchise center Jack Hughes missed 21 games — and by the creeping reality that key veterans like defenseman Dougie Hamilton are on the wrong side of 30.
Enter new general manager Sunny Mehta, poached from the Florida Panthers in a move that sent shockwaves through the league. Mehta has a mountain of work ahead this summer, and insiders say he’s not afraid to make bold moves. The mandate is clear: shed bloated contracts, retool around the Hughes brothers, and build a supporting cast that can actually deliver. Jesper Bratt, Nico Hischier, and Timo Meier form a potentially explosive offensive core, but sources close to the Devils’ front office suggest Mehta is hunting for another young weapon to complete the puzzle.
That’s where the Anaheim Ducks come into play. According to multiple reports, the Ducks are actively listening to offers for 23-year-old forward Mason McTavish, and the Devils are reportedly one of the teams that has already made inquiries. McTavish, the No. 3 overall pick in 2021, has seen his role shrink in Anaheim due to the emergence of Leo Carlsson and the presence of veteran Mikael Granlund. His 41 points last season were a career low for a full NHL campaign, but insiders insist his talent hasn’t disappeared — it’s been suppressed.
One source told us, “McTavish is a prime candidate for a change of scenery. He’s still years away from his physical prime, and in the right system, with the right linemates, he could explode. New Jersey would be a dream landing spot.”
And here’s where the drama really heats up. The Devils reportedly have the exact piece Anaheim covets: defenseman Simon Nemec, the No. 2 overall pick from 2022 who is set to become a restricted free agent this summer. Nemec is a shutdown specialist — exactly what the Ducks’ blue line needs to complement their veteran-heavy group. Both players are pending RFAs, which opens the door for a sign-and-trade that could be announced the moment free agency opens.
If this deal goes through, it would be a seismic shift for both franchises. McTavish would slot into the Devils’ second or third line immediately, with the potential to grow into a top-line contributor alongside Jack Hughes, Luke Hughes, and company. For the Ducks, Nemec would be a cornerstone piece on defense for years to come. Two hungry teams, two missing pieces, and one blockbuster trade that could define the summer.
As one league insider put it, “This is the kind of trade that gets GMs fired — or makes their career. Mehta knows the pressure is on. He didn’t come to New Jersey to play it safe.”
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