​Well, we’ve got a verdict on Barrett Hayton, and the New Jersey Devils can finally start refocusing their summer plans. A lot of Devils fans were excited about Hayton’s potential, but he’s no longer on the table. That said, I’d be stunned—truly SHOCKED—if Sunny Mehta doesn’t have backup plans from B through ZZ and isn’t actively pursuing options instead of waiting on the sidelines. Remember, the Matthew Tkachuk trade to Florida was a late July blockbuster, and who was in the room with the brain trust that made it happen? There’s no definitive playbook for how Mehta will maneuver in his still-early tenure as Devils GM. We’ll have to watch and see how he pivots.
In the linked pieces, you’ll find the Devils’ salary cap situation after the offer sheet decision, plus a brutal injury that’s been revealed, and a look at the NHL’s most insulted fan bases, among other items. New Jersey Hockey Now reports that Utah opted to keep Barrett Hayton for $4.774 million rather than letting him walk to the Devils for a second-round pick, and you’ll see where New Jersey’s cap stands after Utah matched the tendered offer.
In Devils Rink Report, I break down why the team cannot let these player-trade requests derail them, especially when it comes to Jack Hughes. There’s a clear sense of urgency to ensure that kind of scenario doesn’t unfold in New Jersey. Now that the Hayton offer sheet has been matched, the Devils can move forward with their plans—and the summer under Sunny is far from over.
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Beyond New Jersey, there are plenty of worth-your-time reads: Sportsnet’s Daniel Alfredsson explains why he left the Ottawa Senators for the Toronto Maple Leafs; The Athletic highlights eight fan bases that should be most insulted by their offseason so far; Forever Blueshirts considers Vincent Trocheck’s departure and the possibility of a JT Miller rebound being the key to the Rangers’ 2026-27 season; Pittsburgh Hockey Now ponders whether the Penguins should pursue Elias Pettersson in a trade; Colorado Hockey Now discusses the possibility of Cale Makar becoming the highest-paid NHL player if his value continues to rise with the Colorado Avalanche; Florida Hockey Now looks at how the Panthers were essentially built for the 2026-27 season and what their opening night lineup might resemble; and Philly Hockey Now notes that Leo Carlsson’s offer sheet signals GM Daniel Briere’s commitment to upgrading the Flyers, regardless of whether they land him.