The New Jersey Devils have announced that they have traded forward Erik Haula to the Nashville Predators in exchange for defenseman Jeremy Hanzel and a 2025 fourth-round pick.

Haula, 34, spent each of the last three seasons with the Devils. In 225 games with the Devils over that span, he recorded 41 goals, 97 points, and a plus-6 rating. The 2024-25 season was a tough year for the veteran forward, though, as he had 11 goals, 10 assists, and a minus-6 rating in 69 games with the Devils. 

Haula is entering the final season of his contract, where he has a $3.15 million cap hit. With this move, the Devils have freed up some much-needed cap space.

Hanzel, 22, spent the majority of this season in the ECHL with the Atlanta Gladiators. In 61 games with the ECHL squad, he recorded three goals and 22 points. The 6-foot-1 left-shot defenseman also had zero points in four games this season with the Predators' AHL affiliate, the Milwaukee Admirals. 

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