The New Jersey Devils have placed veteran forward Stefan Noesen on waivers, according to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman.
It marks the first time Noesen has been put on waivers since his stint with the San Jose Sharks in the 2020-21 season. And with the Devils juggling a defense situation, the move makes practical sense as much as anything else.
New Jersey is evaluating defenseman Jonas Siegenthaler for an undisclosed injury. With only five other defensemen on the roster, the Devils need to bring in another blue liner before Saturday’s game. Even if Siegenthaler is eventually cleared, the club appears intent on covering itself.
The waiver move also reflects how quickly Noesen’s role has changed. After two strong seasons with the Carolina Hurricanes, he returned to New Jersey as an unrestricted free agent and signed a three-year, $8.25MM deal with a $2.75MM AAV in 2024.
His first season back was a success. Noesen scored 22 goals and totaled 41 points in 78 games during the 2024-25 campaign, finishing with the fourth-most goals on the Devils and posting a -8 rating. For a team that has been looking for secondary scoring, he fit the bill and added a physical edge.
The next year was a different story. Injuries derailed his 2025-26 season, and it wound up being one of the toughest of his 13-year career. He finished with three goals and seven points in 38 games, along with a -7 rating, while averaging 11:45 of ice time per night.
That decline pushed him out of the regular mix. The Devils largely replaced him in the lineup during the offseason, and that has carried into the 2026-27 start. Noesen has played in two games so far, has not recorded a point, and has averaged just 7:24 of ice time per game.
Given the salary attached to his recent production, Noesen is expected to clear waivers.
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