Sunny Mehta wasted little time putting his own stamp on the New Jersey Devils, turning an offseason filled with difficult decisions into one centered on flexibility and opportunity. Instead of chasing quick fixes, the new general manager has reshaped the roster, created financial breathing room, and stocked the organization with valuable future assets.

These moves have shifted the conversation from what New Jersey had to fix to what it can afford to do next.

Steve Werier Predicts Sunny Mehta’s Next Move in New Jersey

Former Florida Panthers assistant general manager Steve Werier sees Mehta’s biggest accomplishment as something that won’t show up on a scoresheet.

During an appearance on The Sheet with Jeff Marek, Werier explained that Mehta has quietly built a roster with enough flexibility to attack the market from multiple directions instead of forcing a single path.

Looking at the Devils’ offseason, Werier praised the work already completed before speculating about what could come next.

“I think he has options, which is the big win for him, right? He was able to get out from the Markstrom contract without having to open up that second buyout window and buy him out. He signed Rytsiak to an easily manageable number on a bridge deal. He brought in some draft picks for Simon Nemec without committing cap space there, which I think is a smart move.”

These moves fundamentally changed New Jersey’s outlook. By moving Jacob Markstrom’s $6 million AAV contract without retaining salary or resorting to a buyout, Mehta cleared a major financial obstacle while preserving flexibility.

He also secured a team-friendly bridge contract for Arseny Gritsyuk and converted Simon Nemec into premium draft capital, strengthening both the organization’s present and future. But one of his biggest accomplishments has been signing an extension for captain Nico Hischier to a 5-year, $11.7 million AAV contract, which would start in 2027-28.

The Devils now sit with $7,627,500 in available cap space while carrying a full 23-man roster, leaving Mehta free to pursue impact additions rather than spending resources on depth signings.

This flexibility is there because Utah matched New Jersey’s one-year, $4.775 million offer sheet for Barrett Hayton, instantly returning that money to the Devils’ salary cap.

With extra draft picks and healthy cap space, New Jersey has positioned itself to explore several avenues, including adding a top-six forward, pursuing another high-profile trade, or reinforcing its goaltending group. The organization has enough financial room to remain patient instead of reacting to every opportunity that surfaces during the offseason.

Werier believes that patience is exactly what makes the Devils dangerous.

“And so now, the best thing I’d say about Sunny’s position is, who knows? But he has options. He has cap space, he has picks, and I don’t know where he’ll go with it. But he’s a poker player. He’s got a lot of outs, and I bet he uses some.”

The comparison fits Mehta’s background as a former professional poker player, where success often comes from staying disciplined until the right opportunity presents itself. Rather than cornering himself with expensive commitments, he has built a position of strength that allows the Devils to respond when the market shifts.

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Whether that next move comes through a blockbuster trade, free agency, or another creative roster maneuver, Werier believes Mehta has already accomplished the most important objective. He has given New Jersey options, and in today’s NHL, that may be the franchise’s biggest advantage.

The Pittsburgh Penguins have spent the offseason exploring ways to strengthen their roster without sacrificing the young talent expected to shape the franchise’s future. At the same time, Elias Pettersson has remained one of the NHL’s most talked-about trade candidates as Vancouver weighs its long-term direction.

These storylines naturally collided, creating fresh speculation about whether Pittsburgh could emerge as a serious landing spot. However, the latest insider update paints a much more measured picture than the rumors circulating across the league.

Rick Dhaliwal Reveals Penguins’ Interest in Elias Pettersson Amid Trade Rumors

Elias Pettersson is drawing attention from the Pittsburgh Penguins, but NHL insider Rick Dhaliwal says the conversation should not be confused with an imminent blockbuster. While Pittsburgh has shown interest in the Canucks center, the organization has no intention of paying the price suggested by recent speculation.

Speaking on Oilers Now, Dhaliwal addressed the situation directly, saying, “I do believe Pittsburgh has some degree of interest in Elias Pettersson. I am not hearing the rumour that the Canucks have asked for Ben Kindel; no way the Penguins are gonna give up such a promising young player… for a bad contract.”

His comments dismiss reports that linked 19-year-old forward Ben Kindel to a potential trade package.

The Penguins view Kindel as one of the organization’s cornerstone young players after he produced 35 points during his rookie NHL campaign. Combined with his entry-level contract, the young forward represents exactly the type of asset Pittsburgh is determined to keep as it balances competing now while preparing for the future.

Pettersson’s contract remains one of the biggest obstacles in any potential deal. The 27-year-old center is entering the third season of his eight-year, $92.8 million extension, which carries an $11.6 million annual cap hit.

Although he once established himself among the league’s elite with a 102-point campaign in 2022-23, his production has declined over the past three seasons, prompting questions about the long-term value of the contract.

Because of this financial commitment, Pittsburgh appears more interested in building a salary-based framework than sacrificing elite prospects. Reports indicate the Penguins would like Vancouver to absorb defenseman Ryan Graves’ $4.5 million cap hit, along with another contract, while taking on Pettersson’s full salary.

In exchange, Pittsburgh is reportedly seeking additional draft compensation if it assumes the entire financial burden.

Even if both front offices eventually align on trade value, Pettersson still holds the strongest card in the negotiations. His full no-movement clause took effect on July 1, 2025, and remains active through the conclusion of his contract in 2032.

Dhaliwal has also reported that Vancouver has not asked the Swedish center to waive that protection despite the growing speculation.

This clause gives Pettersson complete control over his destination and prevents the Canucks from creating a bidding war.

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Reports also suggest he prefers to remain on the West Coast, making any potential move to an Eastern Conference team like Pittsburgh significantly more difficult, even if the Penguins’ interest eventually grows beyond what Dhaliwal described as “some degree of interest.”