In a bold move just before the trade moratorium, the New Jersey Devils have acquired veteran center Nick Bjugstad from the St. Louis Blues, sending shockwaves through the hockey world. But here’s where it gets controversial: the Devils parted ways with young center Thomas Bordeleau and a conditional 2026 fourth-round pick to secure the deal. Frank Seravalli of Victory+ reports that St. Louis will receive the latest of the three fourth-round picks New Jersey owns. In a corresponding move, the Devils reassigned forward Juho Lammikko to the AHL’s Utica Comets.
This trade comes at a critical juncture, with less than an hour remaining before the league-wide freeze leading into the Olympic break. While many anticipated a flurry of trades this week, the action has been surprisingly muted—until now. New Jersey and St. Louis seem determined to shake things up, even as the clock ticks down.
For the 33-year-old Bjugstad, this season has been a rollercoaster. Injuries, a recurring theme in his 14-year NHL career, sidelined him for nearly a month in December and January. Compounding his struggles, he’s been a frequent healthy scratch, logging just 35 games this season. His offensive output—six goals and a single assist—marks a career-low 0.20 points per game. But here’s the twist: his defensive play has been stellar. Centering the Blues’ fourth line alongside Nathan Walker and Alexey Toropchenko, Bjugstad’s trio dominated with a 54.2% expected goals rate, despite primarily starting in the defensive zone. His faceoff prowess has also been uncharacteristically strong, winning 51.1% of draws—well above his career average of 49%.
With the Blues languishing at the bottom of the Western Conference, it’s no surprise they’re offloading assets for future gains. Bjugstad, signed through next season at a $1.75MM cap hit, fits the bill as a tertiary piece. But why would the Devils, who aren’t faring much better in the standings, add to their roster instead of subtracting? And this is the part most people miss: Bjugstad’s contract makes him a cost-effective fourth-line option for next season, a role the Devils desperately need to fill.
Center depth has been a glaring issue for New Jersey, especially with Jack Hughes missing significant time. This has forced injury-prone players like Cody Glass into top-nine roles, while the fourth line—currently comprised of Lammikko, Luke Glendening, and Maxim Tsyplakov—has mustered just one goal all season. Bjugstad may not be a game-changer, but he’s a proven goal-scorer compared to the current lineup.
Bordeleau, once a promising second-round pick by the Sharks in 2020, has seen his stock plummet. After a 38-point AHL season last year, his development stalled, and he found himself traded to the Devils as an RFA. This season in Utica has been disastrous, with just two goals and eight points in 35 games. Is this the end of his NHL aspirations, or can he still turn it around? His inclusion in the trade is largely contractual, giving the Devils breathing room under the 50-contract limit.
Lammikko’s reassignment to Utica is procedural, as he cleared waivers in January and remains within the 30-day window for demotion. The 30-year-old has struggled in New Jersey, tallying just two assists in 24 games.
Podcaster and former NHLer Jordan Schmaltz broke the news, with Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman detailing the return. But the real question remains: Is this trade a savvy move for both teams, or a desperate gamble? What do you think? Let us know in the comments!
