The New Jersey Devils have made a timely addition to their forward group, acquiring veteran center Nick Bjugstad from the St. Louis Blues just before the NHL’s Olympic roster freeze.[1][2] The deal, announced on Wednesday, sends minor-leaguer Thomas Bordeleau and a conditional fourth-round pick to St. Louis in exchange for the 33-year-old Bjugstad. This move comes as the Devils look to bolster their depth amid a competitive season.
Bjugstad brings size and experience to New Jersey, signing with the Blues as a free agent last summer on a team-friendly deal.[3] With the roster freeze locking in players for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina, teams like the Devils are finalizing lineups that could impact national team selections. New Jersey’s general manager Tom Fitzgerald acted swiftly to add a reliable bottom-six option.
Trade details and assets exchanged
The Devils parted with Thomas Bordeleau, a forward they acquired earlier this season from the San Jose Sharks, along with their last available fourth-round pick from their own, Dallas, or Winnipeg selections.[4] The pick is conditional, likely tied to performance milestones for Bjugstad. This low-cost acquisition highlights Fitzgerald’s savvy in targeting value without depleting high draft capital.
St. Louis, meanwhile, gains a promising prospect in Bordeleau and future flexibility with the pick. The Blues, sitting outside the playoff picture, continue reshaping their roster by moving a pending UFA. Bjugstad’s departure clears $1.75 million in cap space for them as well.
This transaction fits into a broader strategy for New Jersey, which recently created significant cap flexibility by trading Ondrej Palat and picks to the New York Islanders for Maxim Tsyplakov.[5] That earlier deal opened the door for moves like this one, allowing the Devils to address immediate needs.
The timing is critical, as the Olympic freeze prevents further trades until after the tournament. Teams must now submit rosters, with NHL participation confirmed for the event.
Nick Bjugstad’s performance and fit
In 35 games with the Blues this 2025-26 season, Bjugstad tallied seven points, including six goals and one assist, while posting a minus-8 rating.[3][6] His physical presence at 6-foot-6 and 205 pounds makes him a matchup nightmare, particularly on the penalty kill and in faceoffs.
Bjugstad’s career has seen highs, like a 24-goal season with Florida in 2014-15, but recent years have been about steady depth contributions. Signed through 2026-27 at $1.75 million AAV, he offers stability without breaking the bank. For the Devils, who have battled depth scoring slumps this season, his net-front presence could unlock secondary production.
- Key stats (2025-26 with STL): 6 goals, 1 assist, 35 GP, -8 +/-
- Career highlights: 49 points in 2017-18 with Arizona, strong playoff performer in past runs
- Strengths: Size, faceoff wins (52% this year), physicality (hits leader on Blues)
Internationally, Bjugstad’s American roots position him as a potential U.S. Olympic candidate, adding intrigue to his arrival in Newark.
His versatility allows deployment across lines, potentially shielding younger players like Dawson Mercer or pairing with Timo Meier for grit.
Strategic context for the Devils
New Jersey sits in the Metropolitan Division hunt, needing reliability beyond stars like Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt. Injuries and inconsistencies have plagued the bottom six, making Bjugstad’s addition a targeted fix.[7]
The Olympic break looms large, with the Devils eyeing multiple representatives. This move ensures depth for the stretch run post-tournament, where fatigue could hit contenders hard.
Fitzgerald’s activity signals aggression ahead of the March trade deadline. With cap space now utilized effectively, further tweaks remain possible once trading resumes.
Comparisons to past Devils pickups, like Curtis Lazar, show a pattern of affordable veterans stabilizing lines. Bjugstad fits that mold perfectly.
Implications for playoffs and Olympics
As the Devils integrate Bjugstad, expect him to slot into the third or fourth line immediately. His shot-blocking and forechecking could elevate power-play units too.
For St. Louis, Bordeleau represents upside—a speedy winger with AHL scoring touch—who might push for NHL minutes soon.
The broader NHL landscape sees more pre-freeze shuffling, but New Jersey’s deal stands out for its efficiency. Players like Bjugstad thrive in playoff atmospheres, drawing from his 2018 Vegas run.
Looking ahead, this bolsters New Jersey’s Olympic pool while fortifying their postseason push. If Bjugstad recaptures scoring touch, it could be a steal; even steady minutes justify the cost.
The Devils’ front office deserves credit for proactive roster management. With the freeze in place, focus shifts to on-ice execution—what comes next could define their 2026 campaign.
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Par Mike Jonderson
Mike Jonderson is a passionate hockey analyst and expert in advanced NHL statistics. A former college player and mathematics graduate, he combines his understanding of the game with technical expertise to develop innovative predictive models and contribute to the evolution of modern hockey analytics.