Ondrej Palat a Healthy Scratch as Devils Navigate Roster Moves and Cap Realities
The New Jersey Devils made a notable lineup decision ahead of their matchup with the Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday night, scratching veteran forward Ondrej Palat for what the team is calling “roster-related reasons.” It’s a move that raises eyebrows, not just because of Palat’s role as an alternate captain, but also because of the broader implications it may carry for the team’s roster and salary cap picture.
Palat, 34, has struggled to find his footing this season. Through 51 games, he’s managed just four goals and 10 points-numbers that fall well short of expectations for a player carrying a $6 million cap hit through the 2026-27 season. While he’s known for his playoff pedigree and two-way play, the production just hasn’t matched the price tag in New Jersey.
According to reports, Palat left the Prudential Center prior to puck drop and did not participate in warm-ups, further fueling speculation that this was more than a routine night off. The Devils haven’t offered additional details beyond the “roster-related” designation, but the timing and context suggest the front office may be weighing its options.
Palat signed a five-year deal with the Devils in 2022 as an unrestricted free agent, fresh off helping the Tampa Bay Lightning reach their third straight Stanley Cup Final. That playoff run capped a remarkable stretch in Tampa, where Palat was a key contributor during the Lightning’s four trips to the Final in eight years (2015, 2020, 2021, 2022), including back-to-back championships in 2020 and 2021.
But the transition to New Jersey hasn’t gone as planned. Injuries limited Palat to just 49 games in his first season with the Devils, and while he’s been healthier this year, the offensive impact has remained muted. His best season in New Jersey so far saw him post 31 points in 71 games-a far cry from his peak years in Tampa, where he was often a clutch playoff performer and a steady presence in the top six.
If the Devils are indeed exploring trade options, moving Palat won’t be simple. His contract includes a modified no-trade clause, allowing him to submit a list of 10 teams he’d be willing to join. With his current production and cap hit, any potential deal would likely require the Devils to include a sweetener-either a draft pick or a prospect-to entice another team to take on the full salary.
That said, Palat’s résumé still carries weight. Originally drafted in the seventh round (208th overall) by the Lightning in 2011, he’s carved out a strong NHL career, with 181 goals and 515 points in 876 regular-season games.
Where he’s really made his mark, though, is in the postseason. In 155 playoff games, Palat has tallied 51 goals and 103 points, including league-leading totals in power-play goals in 2015 and even-strength goals in 2022.
It’s that playoff pedigree-his knack for timely goals and responsible play in high-stakes moments-that made him an attractive addition to the Devils in the first place. But with the team now trying to balance cap commitments, performance, and future flexibility, Palat’s role is clearly in flux.
For now, he’s out of the lineup, and the Devils are left with a decision that could shape the rest of their season-and possibly their long-term roster structure.