Are There Any Contract Extension Candidates on the Devils?

About a year ago, I wrote an article pondering whether or not the Devils should consider extending then-goaltender Jacob Markstrom.

You can go back and read it at the link above if you so choose, but to summarize, my takeaway at the time was why rush into a deal. Take a wait and see approach with an older goaltender before tying up valuable cap dollars and resources into an extension.

By now, you know how the Markstrom saga ended. General manager Tom Fitzgerald signed him to a two-year extension while simultaneously ignoring his poor start to the season because he simply had to have Markstrom signed come hell or high water. Markstrom’s season never really turned around for any extended period of time. His contract extension and the timing of it might not have been publicly cited as a “fireable offense” when the Devils moved on from Fitzgerald, but it certainly had the makings of a fireable offense. Fortunately, new GM Sunny Mehta was able to undo one of the biggest blunders from the previous regime and reallocate those resources elsewhere.

I bring all of this up because now that Mehta is sitting in the big chair, the decision whether or not to extend the contracts of players entering their walk year falls upon him.

Mehta already came to an agreement with the most pressing pending UFA when he and captain Nico Hischier agreed to a five-year extension. This was an important piece of business to get done as it allowed Mehta to divert his attention to UFA and the immediacy of the open market. Most of those moves he has made since then have, if nothing else, has given the Devils flexibility to go in any direction of their choosing down the road.

I don’t know if it was by design or a matter of coincidence that Mehta has brought in players like Evan Rodrigues, Jesper Boqvist, and Declan Chisholm who only had one year of term remaining. It’s probably more of a happenstance than a specific reason as to why he was targeting those players in particular.

Still, when one looks at the Devils PuckPedia page, you can see that they only currently have seven NHL forwards under contract for next season. Aside from the big four of Jack Hughes, Jesper Bratt, Timo Meier, and the recently extended Nico Hischier, they only have the recently signed Anthony Mantha and Arseny Gritsyuk under contract along with holdover Connor Brown.

Going back to our larger theme about flexibility and contract extensions moving forward, the Devils have six forwards, two defensemen, and a goaltender at the NHL level who all need new deals. Of course, all of those players won’t actually be back, as that’s part of the nature of dealing with roster turnover at the NHL level. I thought this week that it would be worth it to take a look at the list of players who need a new contract after this season and rank them by their likelihood they’ll be back in 2027-28. Does it make sense for the Devils to try to be proactive in some cases? Or are we looking at a bunch of Markstrom-like land mines that should be avoided?

While I normally like to be a completionist, I will not be diving deep enough to go to the AHL level and talk about whether or not guys like Shane Lachance or Ben Steeves will be back. Unless the Devils prospects wind up being traded or they’re that bad, there’s little reason for the Devils not to bring those players back. I will be including David Rittich since its on the table that he gets some NHL time, but that would be the extent of how deep I plan on digging.

I will rank these players from least likely to be extended to most likely. Also, the players listed age below will be their age on 7/1/27 since that is when a new contract for them would technically start.

Age: 34 (turns 35 on 7/17/27)

2025-26 AAV: $1.75M

A holdover from the Fitzgerald era, Bjugstad didn’t really do much of anything down the stretch after the Devils acquired him midseason.

On top of that, we’ve already seen Mehta look to acquire a center this offseason (Barrett Hayton). We’ve seen him bring in a player he thinks could be an NHL player in Amadeus Lombardi. We’ve also seen him bring in players who can slide over to center in a pinch.

While Bjugstad might be currently penciled in as the 4C, I don’t think his roster spot is ironclad by any means. I wouldn’t be surprised if he was a player the Devils wound up moving out if they needed to free up a little cap space for something else. Either way, I don’t think Mehta is particularly attached to the veteran center, and I think its unlikely he’s back in 2027.

Chances of an extension: None

Age: 34 (turns 35 on February 12, 2028)

2025-26 AAV: $2.75M

Another holdover from the previous regime, I’m not entirely sure that Stefan Noesen will even make it to Opening Night this season, let alone last the entire season AND be a candidate for a contract extension.

Now, I do think Noesen plays the type of gritty, in your face game where he could’ve fit in perfectly well on those Florida teams that Sunny Mehta was accustomed to. But we’re also talking about a player who missed a lot of time due to injury and was largely ineffective when he did play this year.

Theoretically, nobody knows the medicals better than the Devils when it comes to Noesen. He does have about 700 games played between the NHL and AHL levels, which doesn’t sound like a ton, but he does play a hard game. I wouldn’t blame the Devils if they didn’t want to be on the hook for another year like last year if there’s lingering doubt about Noesen’s ability to hold up physically. Noesen is a fine player for what he does, but I think there’s probably a younger version of that that hits the open market next July if Mehta decides he needs a player like that. Either way, there’s no reason to do an extension anytime soon.

Chances of an extension: None

Age: 36 (turns 37 on November 13th, 2027)

AAV: $4M

At some point, the Devils will need to get more athletic and more dynamic offensively on the back end. They lack defensemen who can effectively move the puck, and its the one area that Sunny Mehta hasn’t really touched much this offseason. Granted, they wound up trading Simon Nemec rather than signing him to a contract extension and they brought in Declan Chisholm who we will discuss shortly, but I think Mehta was partially hampered by some of the contracts and no-trade clauses that he inherited.

I think at this point, Dillon will probably be here on Opening Night and will probably play out the season for the Devils. If they were going to move him in a cap dump, it probably would’ve happened by now. I also think Dillon brings some things to the table that are in short supply on this roster…..veteran leadership, his physicality, and his willingness to drop the gloves being three of them right off the bat.

I don’t think Mehta will extend Dillon, but I do think he’s a perfectly cromulent bottom pairing defensive defenseman at this stage of his career. I also think if this season doesn’t go according to plan, he’s one of the better trade chips Mehta has at his disposal come the trade deadline. If Luke Schenn can seemingly get traded for a decent draft pick at the deadline every few years, why can’t a better player in Brenden Dillon fetch a similar return?

Chances of an extension: Less than 1%

David Rittich

Age: 34 (turns 35 on August 19, 2027)

AAV: $1M

The reason I give Rittich more of a chance to be extended than his colleagues is two-fold.

First of all, he’s the first guy on this list that Sunny Mehta actually picked to be on this roster. So there’s clearly something there under the hood there that Mehta likes.

Secondly, I don’t think its impossible that the Devils will want him back as the organizational third goaltender.

Granted, Rittich may be looking for more from his career, and he might prefer a landing spot where he has a realistic chance for competing for an NHL roster spot. If Daws wins that competition this year, Rittich might not be all that interested in riding the bus for Utica at this stage of his life any longer than he needs to. But as long as he performs as expected, I could see the Devils wanting him back in that role again for another season.

Chances of an extension: Roughly 5%

Jesper Boqvist

Age: 28 (turns 29 on October 30, 2027)

AAV: $1.5M

Boqvist is an interesting player in that he has added layers to his game since leaving the Devils. Those layers he added, mainly his willingness to engage physically, is likely why he’ll continue to be a player in the NHL for the next half decade or so instead of washing out and playing out his professional career in Europe.

While I would caution against giving out term for players who are likely projected to be fourth liners, Boqvist is a player that Mehta clearly likes. Boqvist also doesn’t really have the counting stats to command a significant amount of money elsewhere. I think as long as the Devils fourth line is effective, and Boqvist is a part of that, extending him for a couple years isn’t going to make or break you as an organization.

Of course, I don’t see any reason for Mehta to rush out and extend Boqvist now. Even if its not significant money, every dollar you spend now is a dollar you can’t spend tomorrow. Rather than box yourself in now, it makes more sense to keep your options open and save your pennies. If a bigger fish were to become available, its likely that the Devils would look to save money by replacing a guy like Boqvist at half the cost.

Chances of an extension: Roughly 5%

Age: 27 (turns 28 on April 1, 2027)

AAV: $2.5M

When it comes to the Devils and their center pipeline in general, Mehta has operated under the mindset of looking towards the future.

The Devils drafted Alexander Command 12th overall. They traded for Amadeus Lombardi. They tried to add Barrett Hayton via offer sheet.

What should these moves, or in Hayton’s case….attempted moves, tell us? I don’t know about you, but it tells me he’s not exactly enamored by the current state of the Devils bottom six centers. At least in the long-term.

That doesn’t necessarily mean its a deathblow for Glass in regards to his future in New Jersey. Perhaps Mehta feels Glass is misslotted as a 3C and is closer to being an elite level 4C, if there ever were such a thing. I’d actually agree with that assessment.

I do know that this is a league that has a shortage of quality centers though. While I’m skeptical of Cody Glass ever scoring 19 goals again in a season, I think there’s enough there where he’s an NHL player. This might be a case where someone like Glass ultimately has more value as a trade deadline acquisition than he would as a future building block, depending upon where the Devils are in the standings come the trade deadline. And at the end of the day, this is another role player that Mehta inherited from the previous regime.

If you put me on the spot, I think its more likely Glass is traded, or walks and is replaced, than extended.

Chances of an extension: 5%

Declan Chisholm

Age: 27 (turns 28 on January 12, 2028)

AAV: $1.6M

I don’t know if I entirely agree with Mehta when it comes to the assessment of what Declan Chisholm can be as an NHL player. For a player with a reputation of being a “puck-moving defenseman”, the counting stats just haven’t been there for him through his first 125 NHL games. 6 career goals and 22 assists doesn’t exactly scream offensive dynamo.

That said, this is a player that Mehta admittedly has been pursuing for quite a while dating back to his time in Florida. And if he’s going to presumably become one of Sunny Mehta’s guys, he’s probably not going to be so quick to give up on him with just a year to go to UFA. Chisholm will get an opportunity at some point.

There might not be a clear path when it comes to him carving out an NHL roster spot right this second, but I do believe he’ll get a chance to prove himself. Somebody in the comments section the other day compared him to when the Devils acquired Johnathan Kovacevic, and while they’re different players stylistically, I get why they drew that comparison. Kovacevic earned his spot in the Devils lineup by outplaying Simon Nemec in training camp 2024, and while we can certainly debate whether or not his in-season contract extension was a good idea, he played well enough for large stretches of 2024-25 to earn that deal. Time will tell if Chisholm can ultimately do something similar.

Chances of an extension: 10%

Evan Rodrigues

Age: 33 (turns 34 on July 28, 2027)

AAV: $3.075M

I think its pretty clear that Rodrigues is one of Sunny Mehta’s guys.

Rodrigues has carved out a very nice career for himself as a former undrafted player. He broke out as a 28 year old in Pittsburgh with a career high 19 goals and 43 points and has parlayed that into $14M worth of contracts since, first with the Colorado Avalanche and then the last three years with the Florida Panthers before coming to the Devils in the aforementioned Markstrom trade.

Rodrigues is a versatile veteran forward who can play anywhere in the lineup. He’s been a part of a winning culture in his last few stops.

The one ‘yeah, but’ with me when it comes to Rodrigues is that he’s already on the older side. He’ll be 34 when a new contract begins. His agent has a reputation for steering his clients towards UFA. Paying for role players in general isn’t the greatest idea, let alone players already in their mid 30s.

This is a player that Mehta clearly has an affinity for though, and likely for reasons that go beyond whatever Mehta’s model or spreadsheet is telling him. If he fits here like he did in Florida, he’ll likely be a fan favorite for his work ethic and how he approaches the game.

I think of all of the pending UFAs, Rodrigues is probably the most likely to be back beyond this upcoming season. That doesn’t necessarily mean the Devils should try to re-sign him right now, but if he has a good year, I could see Mehta try to bring him back on a two-year extension.

Chances of an extension: 40%

Dawson Mercer

Age: 25 (turns 26 on October 27, 2027)

AAV: $4M

The only pending RFA on this list, Mercer will definitely earn another contract. The main question with him is whether or not that will be in New Jersey, or if he’s ultimately used as a trade chip.

Mercer hasn’t really taken that next step in his development after posting a 56-point campaign in his age 21 season back in 2022-23. That’s not to say he’s not useful, but he is probably miscast as a top line winger. You’re probably in really good shape as an NHL team if someone like Dawson Mercer is your 9th best forward. Less so if he’s your 4th or 5th best forward.

Mercer is set up to cash in on his next contract, as he’s entering the final year of his bridge deal. If nothing else, his floor as an NHL player is a consistent 20 goal scorer who plays all 82 games year in, year out. He can play in all situations, and while I wouldn’t recommend moving him over to center, it is something he can do in a pinch. With a rising cap, it’ll be interesting to see what he ultimately gets.

And therein lies the conundrum if you’re Mehta.

If all Mercer is going to be is a 20-goal, 40-point winger, is that a player you want to commit to long-term in a top six role? Is that a player you’re going to want to sign for the next 5-6 years?

Somebody else in the comments the other day suggested that the recent Connor McMichael contract extension by the Blues (6 years, $6.75M AAV) might be the framework of what Mercer could realistically get. I understand why that comparison was made. They’re both versatile forwards who have produced at similar rates. McMichael is a .49 PPG player for his career, while Mercer is a .51 PPG player. McMichael is a year older, so that comparison makes sense.

That said, if Mercer’s going rate for his next deal is something in the 6x$7M range, and why wouldn’t it be with the cap exploding, I’d just as sooner trade Mercer like the Capitals did with McMichael than make that sort of commitment.

Mercer is going to get paid by someone. He’s also probably the single best trade chip at Mehta’s disposal. There’s little reason to sign him now (or for him to sign now), so I expect Mercer to play the year out on this deal and hit RFA. I just question his future in New Jersey in general.

Chances of an extension: 100% (after the season)

Chances he is still a Devil on July 1, 2027: 25%

Final Thoughts

Bringing this back to my opening comments on Markstrom, I think when it comes to the pending UFAs (and RFA, in Mercer’s case), what’s the rush to signing anyone on this list to a contract extension? Half the players on this list are new to the team and it remains to be seen how they fit. The other half are your typical back-end of the roster NHL players who are more of your supporting cast than featured players on a team. I don’t mean that as an insult, just that they’re not the type of players one typically goes out of their way to lock up.

Tom Fitzgerald might have boxed himself into a corner by giving term and significant dollars to role players like Kovacevic, or by dipping into UFA as much as he had over the previous few seasons. I think Mehta will be more calculated when it comes to allocating those types of resources for players.

At the end of the day, the NHL is a superstar driven league. Teams don’t get into cap hell by paying star players what they’re worth. They get there by making mistakes with role players in their 30s. And unless anything changes between now and the start of the season, there’s little reason for the Devils to go out of their way to lock up role players.

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