There has been a lot of turnover in the New Jersey Devils locker room since the team earned a 6-3 victory under the MetLife Stadium lights on Feb. 17, 2024. It was a point that Erik Haula made during his end-of-season media availability.
"I was looking at that MetLife Stadium picture the other day—ten guys from that photo are gone," Haula said.
That number is now at 11, as Haula was traded on June 18 to the Nashville Predators. He had one year remaining on a three-year contract.
In moving the veteran, Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald cleared $3.15 million off the cap heading into free agency, which begins on July 1. He additionally received a fourth-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft and defenseman Jeremy Hanzel (22).
Fitzgerald and his front office were aware that one of New Jersey's biggest concerns was scoring depth—a problem that had been ongoing since December. During his end-of-season media availabilities, Fitzgerald stated that changes would be forthcoming. Haula is the first roster player to be traded and the second to depart, following Tomas Tatar's signing overseas in Switzerland in May.
At the time of publication, the Devils have a current cap space of $14,394,167 with free agency two weeks away.
Haula appeared in 225 games for the Devils over three seasons. He finishes his tenure in the Garden State with 97 points (41 goals, 56 assists).
The 34-year-old had a down year, with his point production steadily decreasing since his first season with the Devils. He did, however, have an essential role on the penalty kill and was valuable in the face-off circle. In the first round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Haula had one assist in five games, predominantly playing with Dawson Mercer in a top-six role.
The 2025-26 season will mark Haula's second stint with the Predators, as he previously played there during the 2020-21 season. He recorded 21 points (nine goals, 12 assists) in 51 games.
"We are excited to have Erik join our team today," Nashville Predators General Manager Barry Trotz said in the press release. "He brings great flexibility to our roster with the ability to play up and down the lineup in a variety of different roles. We are confident that he will be able to play alongside our young players, helping to accelerate their development."
Haula will reunite with former teammates Juuse Saros, Roman Josi, and Filip Forsberg. Additionally, he will play for head coach Andrew Brunette, who served as an associate coach with the Devils during the 2022-23 season.
Expect the Haula trade to be the first, but not the last, move Fitzgerald makes as he looks to provide his head coach, Sheldon Keefe, with a roster that not only qualifies for the postseason but also makes a run.
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