No Matthew Tkachuk.

Late Friday night, it was announced that Matthew Tkachuk would be dealt to the Florida Panthers for Jonathan Huberdeau, MacKenzie Weegar, prospect Cole Schwindt and a lottery protected 2025 first round pick plus a conditional fourth round pick.

This blockbuster deal demonstrated that the Devils had zero chance of making the deal because the Calgary Flames were not interested in rebuilding, which made the Devils trade assets unappealing. The Flames, fresh off of losing Johnny Gaudreau, needed this trade and got a big return for the next upcoming season. Both Huberdeau and Weegar will be unrestricted free agents after this season and would join the talented UFA pool next July unless they are re-signed before then. Moreover, the Devils could not offer anything that can come close to the Panthers unless they were willing to parted way with the core pillars of the team.

I am glad that Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald did not get in a bidding war and risk the Devils future and draft picks to make an equally insane offer like the Panthers did. Remember, the Panthers gave up their 2023 and 2024 first round picks for the temporary services of Claude Giroux and Ben Chiarot before the NHL trade deadline. Fitzgerald will now stay the course and will try to get rest of his RFAs signed as their arbitration hearings are approaching.

The Devils still need to lock up Jesper Bratt, Miles Wood, and Type Thompson. Jesper Boqvist agreed to a two-way contract with $875K a few days ago.

Devils P.A. Announcer Position

Last season’s Devils P.A. announcer Joe Tolentino announced on his Instagram account that he would be not returning next season. Who will be the next voice at the Prudential Center? The Devils will be on the search. According to Ryan Novozinsky of NJ.com, the Devils are not going to be naming an announcer through a contest this time around.

Tolentino pens a letter to #NJDevils fans via his Instagram. pic.twitter.com/fAJ4sHNEps

— Ryan Novozinsky (@ryannovo62) July 24, 2022

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Sam Woo is co-host and executive producer of the Let's Go Devils Podcast which can be heard live every Sunday at 9pm ET and Wednesday at 8:30pm ET.

You can follow Sam on Twitter: @PrimetimeSamWoo

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