Devils Eyeing Roster Shakeup, Questions Swirl Around Mercer, Keefe’s Tenure, and Fiala Injury Rocks Kings
There’s a buzz around the New Jersey Devils right now-and not the good kind. Coming out of the NHL Olympic roster freeze, the front office is reportedly looking to make what’s being called a “hockey trade.”
That’s not just a depth move or a cap-clearing shuffle. This is the kind of deal meant to rattle the locker room a bit, to send a clear message that the current trajectory isn’t cutting it.
The Devils have underwhelmed this season, and it appears GM Tom Fitzgerald is ready to shake the tree. The term “hockey trade” implies a player-for-player swap with real on-ice implications-not just future picks or rental pieces.
It’s the kind of move that can shift the identity of a team midseason. Think of it as a wake-up call with skates on.
One name that’s come up in the rumor mill? Dawson Mercer.
The 22-year-old forward has shown flashes of top-six potential, and he's still on a team-friendly deal. But that also makes him a valuable trade chip.
The question is, what’s the return? If Mercer is being dangled, the Devils would need to get someone like Jordan Kyrou-young, skilled, and under contract-to make the risk worth it.
But if the return is a veteran grinder in his 30s, it’s a different story. That kind of move would raise serious questions about the direction of the team and Fitzgerald’s long-term vision.
Meanwhile, head coach Sheldon Keefe is feeling the heat. We’re now more than a season and a half into his run behind the Devils' bench, and the results haven’t lived up to expectations.
Jack Hughes has blossomed into a true two-way force-there’s no denying that. And the team’s defensive structure has shown some improvement compared to the Lindy Ruff era.
But outside of that? The overall performance has dipped.
The offense has sputtered, the special teams have been inconsistent, and the team just hasn’t found its rhythm.
Keefe was brought in to elevate this group, to unlock the potential of a young, talented core. So far, the chemistry hasn’t clicked. And if the Devils do pull the trigger on a major trade, it might not just be the roster that changes.
Around the League: Fiala’s Olympic Injury, Spidercam Steals the Show
In international news, the Los Angeles Kings just got hit with a gut punch. Kevin Fiala, one of their most dynamic forwards, is likely done for the season after suffering a serious leg injury while playing for Switzerland in the Olympic tournament.
The injury occurred during a loss to Team Canada, and it was bad enough that Fiala had to be stretchered off the ice. He’s already undergone surgery, and the expectation is that he won’t return to NHL action this season.
That’s a massive blow for the Kings, who rely on Fiala’s creativity and scoring touch. He’s a key piece of their top six and power play, and his absence will be felt as L.A. tries to stay competitive in the Western Conference playoff race.
On a lighter note, the Olympic tournament has introduced a breakout star of a different kind: the Spidercam. Suspended high above the ice and maneuvered with four retractable wires, the camera has been gliding, swooping, and spinning its way into the hearts of fans. It’s offering a fresh, dramatic perspective on the action-especially when players like Juraj Slafkovský and Connor McDavid are putting on a show.
McDavid and Slafkovský have been electric, but the Spidercam has added a whole new dimension to the viewing experience. It’s fast, fluid, and perfectly suited to the pace of Olympic hockey. For fans watching at home, it’s like getting a front-row seat to the world’s fastest game-hovering just above the chaos.
As the NHL gears up for the stretch run post-Olympics, the Devils are at a crossroads, the Kings are bracing for life without Fiala, and the Spidercam might just be the MVP of Milan-Cortina.