It may feel like every week, another former New Jersey Devils player signs overseas. This offseason, several ex-Devils have headed abroad, many to the KHL (Kontinental Hockey League), which has quickly become filled with familiar faces from Newark.
New additions to the KHL this season include:
- Daniel Sprong
- Ty Smith
- Louis Domingue
- Joseph Blandisi
- Nick Merkley
- Tyce Thompson
They join a growing list of former Devils already in the league, such as Reid Boucher, Fredrik Claesson, Christian Jaros, and Chris Tierney.
Former Devils Prospect Heading Overseas
Former <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-jersey-devils">New Jersey Devils</a> forward Tyce Thompson is taking his talent overseas.
Why are so many Devils heading to the KHL?
The primary reason is simple: money.
For NHL players who spend most of their time in the AHL or bouncing between leagues, the KHL often provides higher salaries than what they would earn in North America. Financially, it makes sense for players on the fringe of NHL rosters to take advantage of that opportunity.
Beyond money, playing time is a major factor. Many players who can’t crack a permanent NHL lineup look to the KHL for larger roles and more ice time. While the league doesn’t match the NHL in overall strength, the KHL still features a high level of competition and many skilled players—making it a legitimate place to develop and showcase talent.
Some players even begin their careers in the KHL before transitioning to the NHL. Devils prospect Arseniy Gritsyuk is a prime example. Before making the move to North America, he honed his game in Russia’s top league. Gritsyuk has openly said that if he doesn’t make the Devils roster this season and is sent down to the AHL, he would likely return to the KHL instead—given the drastic pay cut he’d face in the minors.
For a team like New Jersey, which features a deep mix of young stars and proven veterans, roster spots are hard to secure. That reality, combined with higher paychecks and expanded roles overseas, explains why so many former Devils have chosen the KHL this offseason. For them, it’s a chance at more money, more ice time, and the opportunity to continue playing professionally on an international stage.