1 player the Devils must acquire before the 2025 NHL trade deadline

The The New Jersey Devils are looking to add depth to their roster before 2025 NHL Trade Deadline. New Jersey is back in playoff contention after missing out on the Stanley Cup playoffs in 2024. However, the Devils know their roster is not complete. There are moves that need to be made before the March 7, 2025 NHL trade deadline.

Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald has admitted as much before. Fitzgerald mentioned his desire to make a move back in early December. However, the Devils’ general manager doesn’t want to rock the boat. He looking for free players to balance the composition. Pierre LeBruno of the Athletics revealed his desire for depth on Dec. 2.

“You can’t have enough depth,” Fitzgerald told LeBrun. “I was in contact with the teams. … I guess I’m looking for utility players — guys who can skate. I like size and versatility and guys who can play in the middle and on the wing. Just to add depth to the organization.”

Fitzgerald was certainly lucky. The market is full of free depth players this season. He basically got to choose his choice. for example, Devils general manager could trade for Nick Robertsonreuniting the Toronto Maple Leafs forward with New Jersey head coach Sheldon Keefe.

It’s a move that certainly makes sense for New Jersey. However, there is a better solution for this team. The Devils could add depth in the middle of the ice. And they won’t have to look too far outside of New Jersey to find a player who could provide quality depth.

Trent Frederick of the Bruins is a great fit for the Devils

The Devils could use some depth in the middle of the ice. Trent Frederic has experience playing center. Furthermore, he was deployed as a wingman in the past. His positional versatility could give New Jersey a ton of options. And it checks many of the boxes Fitzgerald mentioned to The Athletic on Dec. 2.

Frederick’s trade market will be quite interesting. He is coming off the best offensive season of his career. The Bruins forward scored 18 goals and 40 points for Boston during the 2023-24 regular season. However, he has only seven goals and 14 points for them in 46 games this year.

Having said that, Frederic has earned more ice time than at any previous point in his career. Furthermore, the physical aspect of his game is not in decline. Frederik already has 130 goals this season, according to Hockey Reference. This is his fourth consecutive 100+ hit campaign, and his career high of 205 was accomplished just last season.

Frederik may not be your average 40-point forward. However, the Devils certainly won’t need him to contribute at that level. They need him to contribute to some offense. Their offense is pretty heavy as things stand. Having said this, Frederik can play a valuable role as a second-line third-line center.

The Bruins struggled mightily in 2024-25. Frederick isn’t the only Boston skater on the wane, but he contributed to their less-than-ideal performance. Having said that, moving away from Boston could help Frederick’s game.

The Devils want to compete for the Stanley Cup in 2025. Trent Frederick is not the last piece of the championship puzzle. In saying this, he gives this team a better chance of moving toward hockey’s ultimate prize.