Â
New Jersey Devils Trade Erik Haula to Predators, Acquire Jeremy Hanzel and 2025 Draft Pick
The New Jersey Devils are making strategic moves ahead of the 2025 NHL Draft, completing a trade with the Nashville Predators that sends forward Erik Haula back to Music City. In return, the Devils receive defenseman Jeremy Hanzel and a 2025 fourth-round pick, both valuable assets as the team looks to build depth for the future.
Although New Jersey does not own a first-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, the team is quietly stacking mid-round selections. With this latest move, the Devils now hold seven total picks across Rounds 2 through 7, including two picks in the 2nd, 4th, and 6th rounds.
This positions New Jersey well to add value prospects to a system that already features emerging young talent.
Jeremy Hanzel, 22, is a left-shot defenseman who spent the 2024–25 season split between the AHL’s Milwaukee Admirals and the ECHL’s Gwinnett Gladiators. With Gwinnett, Hanzel recorded 3 goals and 19 assists, showcasing offensive upside from the blue line.
Originally selected by the Colorado Avalanche in the sixth round (187th overall) of the 2023 NHL Draft, Hanzel has had a winding path through pro hockey. He was traded to Nashville in March 2025 as part of a deal involving Yakov Trenin and Graham Sward.
A native of Burnaby, British Columbia, Hanzel played four seasons in the WHL with the Seattle Thunderbirds, racking up 149 points (39 goals, 110 assists) in 218 games and helping the team capture the 2023 Memorial Cup.
Heading the other way is veteran forward Erik Haula, who is set to begin his second stint with the Predators after previously playing 51 games with the club in the 2020–21 season. Haula was acquired by New Jersey from the Boston Bruins in 2022 and has since become a reliable two-way contributor.
In 227 regular-season games with the Devils, Haula posted 41 goals and 97 points, while also adding four goals and three assists in 17 playoff appearances. He brings veteran experience, versatility, and depth to a Nashville lineup aiming to stay competitive in the Western Conference.
Haula is entering the final year of his three-year contract, which carries an average annual value (AAV) of $3.15 million.
This trade highlights New Jersey’s ongoing effort to add future assets and build through smart drafting and development. Meanwhile, Nashville adds a familiar face who can immediately slot into their middle-six forward group.
With the 2025 NHL Draft just around the corner, expect more moves as teams retool for the future.
Tags:
#NewJerseyDevils #NashvillePredators #ErikHaula #JeremyHanzel #NHLTradeNews #NHLDraft2025 #HockeyTrades #NHLTransactions #DevilsNews #PredatorsNews #MemorialCup #WHL #AHL #ECHL #NHLProspects
Reviewed by Christopher Hodgson
on
June 18, 2025
Rating:
No comments: