The 2025 calendar will soon switch over to August. For many players around the NHL, it is a month that represents the final weeks with their friends and family before traveling to their respective hockey cities for the 2025-26 season. Currently, two former New Jersey Devils [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-jersey-devils/latest-news/part-of-the-team-la-greca-eager-to-immerse-himself-in-all-things-devils] defensemen are unemployed and seeking their next opportunity in professional hockey. JON MERRILL Former Team: Minnesota Wild Merrill has previously played for the Devils, Vegas Golden Knights, Detroit Red Wings, Montréal Canadiens [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/montreal-canadiens], and Minnesota Wild. Now a veteran with 682 NHL games under his belt, the defenseman is an unrestricted free agent, looking for his next home. The 33-year-old became expendable to the Wild with youngster Zeev Buium in the fold. Considered a stay-at-home defenseman, he scored two goals and earned six points last season. Merrill would be a good addition for any team looking for depth on the blue line. BRENDAN SMITH Former Team: Dallas Stars Dave McCarthy of NHL.com was the first to report that the veteran defenseman was looking to play one more season. At 36 years old, he is coming off a season in which he appeared in 32 games for the Dallas Stars [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/dallas-stars]. Smith will fill whatever role a team needs, including the transition to a forward. A leader in the locker room, Smith has played for the Red Wings, New York Rangers, Carolina Hurricanes [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/carolina-hurricanes], Devils, and Stars, playing 726 career games. Smith would be a great mentor to a team with a young blue line and add the depth teams need throughout an 82-game season. Make sure you bookmark THN's New Jersey Devils site [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-jersey-devils/] for THN's latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. The Mental Side of the Game: Devils Players & Mental Skills Coach Andy Swärd Take You Behind the Scenes [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-jersey-devils/players/new-jersey-devils-jesper-bratt-alexander-holtz-nico-hischier-andy-sward] Hischier's Manager Patrick Fischer: 'He's Driven to Succeed, but Not Easily [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-jersey-devils/features/hischiers-manager-patrick-fischer-hes-driven-to-succeed-but-not-easily-satisfied] Photo Credit: © Aaron Doster-Imagn Images
