Devils’ Struggles Continue as Blue Jackets Blank Jersey, 3-0
Another opportunity, another letdown. The New Jersey Devils once again found themselves on the wrong end of the scoreboard Tuesday night, falling 3-0 to the Columbus Blue Jackets.
It’s a familiar script for a team that’s tried - and failed - to string together any real momentum in recent weeks. The loss drops the Devils further down the Eastern Conference standings, sitting 15th with time running out to turn this season around.
This wasn’t just a bad night - it was a snapshot of the larger issues plaguing New Jersey. The offense never got out of neutral, and the defensive lapses that have haunted them all season reared their head again.
Columbus didn’t dominate in every phase, but they didn’t have to. The Devils simply couldn’t generate enough pushback.
And that leads us to the bigger picture.
There’s growing frustration around the front office’s inability to land a top-tier defenseman - specifically, one who recently moved and is already making a major impact in Minnesota. The Devils reportedly had a shot at acquiring him but couldn't (or wouldn’t) make the necessary moves. Whether it was about parting with key pieces, clearing cap space, or outbidding a rival package built around players New Jersey once passed on in the draft, the end result is the same: the Devils are still searching for a true No. 1 defenseman.
Meanwhile, the player in question looks increasingly comfortable in his new home - and there’s a real sense he could stay there long-term. For New Jersey, that’s a tough pill to swallow.
It’s not just about missing out on a single player; it’s about what that miss represents. The Devils are a team with high-end talent up front and a goaltending situation that’s been serviceable, but without a cornerstone on the blue line, they’re struggling to hold it all together.
The clock is ticking. The trade deadline looms, and the Eastern Conference isn’t getting any easier. If New Jersey wants to salvage this season - or at least set the table for next year - they’ll need answers on defense, and fast.
Around the League: Trotz to Step Down as Predators GM
Elsewhere in the NHL, a major front-office change is coming in Nashville. Barry Trotz announced on Monday that he’ll be stepping down as general manager of the Predators once a successor is in place.
Trotz made it clear this move isn’t health-related, nor is it a prelude to a return behind the bench. After coaching more than 1,800 NHL games, he stepped into the GM role in 2023, succeeding longtime executive David Poile.
Trotz’s impact in Nashville has spanned decades, from being the franchise’s first head coach to helping guide the organization through a transitional period in the front office. Now, the Predators will begin the search for a new GM - one who can build on the foundation Trotz helped establish in a market that’s quietly become one of the league’s most consistent.
As for Trotz, he’s not disappearing from the hockey world - just shifting roles once again. But his departure marks the end of an era in Nashville, and the beginning of what could be a pivotal offseason for a team looking to stay competitive in the ever-tight Central Division.