Devils trade Erik Haula to Predators for Jeremy Hanzel, draft pick
The New Jersey Devils traded Erik Haula to the Nashville Predators on Wednesday for a 2025 fourth-round pick and defenseman Jeremy Hanzel, who spent most of this past season in the ECHL. Haula has one year left on his deal at a $3.15 million cap hit.
The 34-year-old Haula had 21 points in 69 games this past season, and he returns to the team with which he spent the 2020-21 season. Haula had 41 points on the 2022-23 Devils team that made the second round, but his production has dropped since. He had only one point in five games in New Jersey's first-round loss to Carolina. If he can bet back into the 35-44 point range — which he was the three seasons before 2024-25 — he can be a useful middle-six player for the Predators.
TRADE 🔄 Forward Erik Haula is back in Smashville!
The Devils receive defensemen Jeremy Hanzel and a 2025 4th round draft pick.
Full trade details » https://t.co/zSBJ04llDR pic.twitter.com/8ERP9LwcHC
— Nashville Predators (@PredsNHL) June 18, 2025
The move opens up cap space for New Jersey and gives president Tom Fitzgerald another draft pick to work with, either to use or to include in another trade. The Devils have just over $14 million in cap space, a good chunk of which will go to restricted free agent Luke Hughes. The team could also look to bolster its middle-six forward group or even go after a top-line player such as Nikolaj Ehlers if the price is right.
Hanzel was a 2023 sixth-round pick by Colorado. Nashville acquired him in March 2024 as part of a package for Yakov Trenin.
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