The New Jersey Devils may not need to overhaul their blue line, but adding another defenseman on a professional tryout would still make plenty of sense.
That’s where Logan Stanley comes in. The former Buffalo Sabres defenseman fits the kind of low-cost, insurance-policy move teams like to have tucked away, especially when injuries start testing a roster. For a Devils team with a history of dealing with health issues, having an NHL veteran around as depth could help keep things steady if someone goes down.
Stanley’s most recent season offered a solid case for interest. He played 72 games and posted nine goals and 17 assists for 26 points, all career highs.
Along the way, he added 110 hits, 84 blocked shots and 17 takeaways. His offense cooled after the trade with the Sabres, but that wasn’t the point of his game.
The underlying numbers were strong too, according to Natural Stat Trick: a 51.16 CF%, a 51.43 SCF% and a 46.14 xG%.
Just as important, Stanley handled a bigger workload than ever before. The 72 games he logged between the Jets and Sabres were the most he has played in a season, and it was the first time in his career he has gone over 60 games in back-to-back years. He averaged 16:42 of ice time per night, which suggests he can still manage the responsibilities that come with third-pairing minutes.
What also stands out is the edge he brings. At 6' 7, 231 pounds, Stanley has never shied away from using his size to make life uncomfortable for opponents. That kind of presence can matter in divisional games or other high-intensity matchups, where a player like Stanley can be used to "protect" teammates and make sure nobody gets pushed around.
There’s still some upside here, too. Stanley is 28 and was a first-round pick in 2016. He may not become the player scouts once projected, but his age and his recent underlying numbers leave room for the possibility that a bigger role could help him settle in and find more consistency.
For the Devils, it’s the kind of move that carries very little risk and a possible payoff if things break right. Stanley looks like the sort of under-the-radar addition that could quietly help a team when it needs it most.
In Other News...
Devils Just Got A Big Center Boost Amid Fresh Nemec Debate
The Devils are entering the 2025-26 season with a much clearer picture down the middle, and NHL Networks latest center rankings only reinforced that. Nico Hischier and Jack Hughes both landed among the leagues top 20 centers, a reminder that New Jerseys biggest strength remains the spine of its lineup. For a team that has spent the past season leaning on speed and puck possession, the recognition fits with what the advanced numbers already hinted at, especially with strong shooting and skating metrics backing up their play.
Simon Nemecs departure has added a different layer to the conversation, even after the recent trade that sent him to the Calgary Flames. In a recent interview, the defenseman said he wants to prove his former team wrong about his potential, which gives the move a little extra edge as New Jersey keeps building around its core. The Devils may feel good about their centers, but the debate over what they gave up and what Nemec becomes elsewhere is likely to linger for a while. [Read more 🡒]
Devils Legend Who Brought Hockey To New Jersey Gets Long Overdue Honor
Jack Hughes may have gotten a nomination for the New Jersey Hall of Fame, but the 2024 class will look a little different when the ceremony arrives on Sept. 24. Among the inductees is Dr. John McMullen, the former Devils owner whose place in the states sports history runs far beyond wins and losses, with the honor coming posthumously and in a setting hosted by Danny DeVito.
For Devils fans, McMullens recognition carries a familiar kind of resonance because his influence helped shape where hockey could take root in New Jersey. While Hughes was among the names considered, he was not selected this time, leaving the spotlight on a figure whose connection to the franchise and the state still feels overdue. [Read more 🡒]
Former Devils Forward Mike Hardman Just Took A Notable Career Turn
Mike Hardman appears to be headed overseas for the next step in his career, with a Swedish outlet reporting that the 27-year-old former Devils forward has verbally agreed to join HV71 in the SHL. No official announcement has come yet, but the move would mark a notable change of scenery for a player who most recently skated with the Utica Comets in the AHL after his time in New Jersey.
For HV71, the appeal is clear after a season that left the club near the bottom of the standings. The expectation is that Hardman can help in a middle-six role while also adding value on the penalty kill, a kind of depth assignment that can quietly shape whether a team stabilizes or keeps chasing results well into the winter. [Read more 🡒]