Locked On Devils - Daily Podcast On The New Jersey Devils

In this bonus episode, Zach Berman breaks down the New Jersey Devils’ defensive roster as the NHL trade deadline approaches, focusing on potential moves and long-term implications. He starts by reviewing which current defensemen are safe from being traded—highlighting Luke Hughes, Brett Pesci, and Jonathan Kovacevic—and emphasizes their contractual security and importance to the team’s future. Simone Nemec’s situation is mentioned as a big decision looming for management, especially since he’s an RFA this summer and the Devils’ GM spot is uncertain.

The discussion moves to Jonas Siegenthaler, whose disappointing performance this season might make him trade bait, though questions about whether he’d waive his clause remain. Brendan Dillon is another name likely to attract interest; Zach Berman praises his veteran leadership and strong play but admits he may be a trade target if the Devils are forced to make changes. Despite personal preference to keep him, the possibility of Dillon being moved is acknowledged due to potential locker room impact and necessity for rebuilding.

A major focus is placed on Dougie Hamilton, whose future with the Devils is in question due to injuries, performance issues, and general trade rumors. Zach Berman reflects on Hamilton’s contributions and personality, expressing reluctance but understanding that the team may need to transition for the sake of long-term success. Possible trade partners and scenarios are discussed, with uncertainty about the return value and the emotional aspect of losing a player who helped shape the recent era of Devils hockey.

Ultimately, Zach Berman expects both Hamilton and Dillon to be the prominent trade chips, marking a period of leadership voids and tough consequences for a team underperforming relative to expectations. The episode closes with personal updates and reassurances that the podcast—and support for the Devils—will continue during turbulent times for both the team and the host, maintaining optimism for future improvements despite current challenges.

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In this episode, Zach Berman dives into the New Jersey Devils’ trade deadline scenario, highlighting the uncertainty and anticipation surrounding the team’s direction as they’re currently 11 points out of playoff contention. He notes that this is one of the most significant trade deadlines in recent history for the Devils, with insiders unsure if the team will buy or sell. Based on their standings and roster situation, Zach Berman leans toward the Devils becoming sellers, focusing on which forwards could be dealt and what potential returns they might bring.

He discusses several key players on the roster and their trade eligibility. Timo Meier and Jesper Bratt are not expected to be moved due to no-movement clauses, while Jack Hughes is considered untouchable. Nico Hischier has a modified no-trade clause, and although his future contract and long-term value are debated, Zach Berman doesn’t foresee him being traded at this deadline. Dawson Mercer, despite a disappointing season, is seen as a valuable trade asset but is predicted to stay unless a significant shakeup occurs. Conversely, Cody Glass, who has exceeded expectations, is likely to be traded for picks or prospects, which Zach Berman laments.

The episode also examines depth and fringe players who could be moved. Stefan Nason, despite injury struggles, and Evgeny Dadonov, who has failed to put up points this season, are both candidates to leave, especially if the Devils can recover any assets for them. Paul Cotter is mentioned as a possible trade chip due to his flashes of skill, while other younger prospects and recently acquired players are less likely to be moved.

Wrapping up, Zach Berman predicts that Cody Glass, Stefan Nason, potentially Paul Cotter, and Evgeny Dadonov will be traded by the deadline. He expresses frustration with the team’s management, calling for a new GM and cautioning against Tom Fitzgerald making major roster moves. The episode ends on a slightly optimistic note regarding young goaltending prospects, suggesting that the Devils’ goaltending situation may soon improve.

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In this bonus episode, Zach Berman dives into a painful January and February 2026 for New Jersey Devils fans, recapping the gloom of a season gone sour. The episode opens with Zach Berman acknowledging the high hopes the team once held, only to see those ambitions unravel as the months progressed. Early brief moments of promise, such as back-to-back wins against Utah and a signature victory in Columbus, are overshadowed by embarrassing defeats, most notably a devastating 9-0 loss to the Islanders and repeated failures to hold leads or compete well in third periods.

The rollercoaster continued as the Devils endured lopsided losses, including disappointing showings against the Penguins, Jets, and even a shutout loss to the Blue Jackets that Zach Berman attended. Even during their rare victories or competitive outings – like besting the Minnesota Wild when all three Hughes brothers shared the ice, or overtime wins featuring Nico Hischier’s heroics – the momentum never truly materialized. Injuries, inconsistent goaltending, and ineffective coaching left the team treading water, with frustrations mounting among both fans and the host.

Despite the team’s struggles, Zach Berman highlights one high note outside of the NHL: Jack Hughes’s golden goal leading Team USA to an Olympic gold medal, a bright spot in an otherwise dreary few months. However, this joy is short-lived, as the Devils return from the Olympic break still listless and unable to generate sustained success. Key problems recur: defensive breakdowns, underwhelming third periods, and a lack of meaningful response from management or coaching.

Ultimately, Zach Berman paints these two months as a period of organizational stagnation and fan exasperation. He calls for significant changes at the top – notably “fire Tom Fitzgerald” – and points out that a few scattered highlights can’t mask the mediocrity and frustration dominating the Devils’ season. The episode closes on a light, humorous note about Jack Hughes being the subject of bizarre marriage rumors, underscoring the strange, disappointing, and tiring reality of being a Devils fan during this stretch.

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In this episode, Zach Berman breaks down the New Jersey Devils' recent win over the St. Louis Blues, a game which, despite the positive result, feels bittersweet for Devils fans. The team went into St. Louis and played arguably their best game of the month, winning 3-1 and snapping a notably poor stretch. Zach Berman points out that while it’s nice to see the Devils victorious, any wins at this stage only worsen their draft lottery odds, putting them further behind in the race for top prospects, a fact underscored by his tongue-in-cheek visit to Tankathon.

Throughout the episode, Zach Berman expresses frustration with the Devils' management, especially GM Tom Fitzgerald. He worries that even a single win against a weak team like the Blues could encourage Fitzgerald to make shortsighted, panicked moves before the trade deadline, perhaps in an effort to save his job. This concern is compounded by what Zach Berman sees as repeated front-office missteps—most notably, the mishandling of player contracts like Jonathan Kovacevic’s, and a general lack of long-term vision for the franchise.

On the ice, there were some bright spots despite the franchise turmoil. Zach Berman highlights strong performances from Luke Hughes, Brett Pesci, and Timo Meier, each showing flashes of the potential and skill that Devils fans have been eager to see. The team’s defensive play was strong, most forwards had solid games, and the power play conversion was a rare positive. However, these individual successes are offset by the bigger picture of a lost season and the dread of misguided moves at the trade deadline.

The episode wraps up with thoughts about the uncertain future as the trade deadline approaches. Zach Berman invites Devils fans to weigh in on potential targets like Robert Thomas and Jordan Kyrou, but ultimately worries that acquiring such players may give Fitzgerald enough leeway to keep his job, prolonging what Zach Berman views as sub-par leadership. He closes the episode with his signature frustration, reminding fans that despite the win, the organization’s problems run far deeper than one night’s scoreline.

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In this episode, Zach Berman dives into the dire state of the New Jersey Devils’ season, focusing on their matchup against the St. Louis Blues—a game he boldly declares the Devils "should lose" if they’re thinking about their future. The focus of the episode quickly shifts from playoffs (no longer a realistic goal) to tanking for a higher draft pick. Zach Berman compares both teams’ struggles, highlighting the Devils’ dismal recent record and the similarities between them and the lowly Blues, both suffering from horrible goaltending, underperforming stars, and front office uncertainty.

The episode emphasizes just how far the Devils have fallen this season. Zach Berman recounts preseason skepticism and laments that the team is not just a disappointment, but one of the league’s absolute worst; they rank at the very bottom of key statistical categories, including five-on-five scoring and goal share. There’s a candid conversation about the inevitability of change, ranging from likely departures at the trade deadline to the potential firing of GM Tom Fitzgerald, a scenario called for by many in Devils media circles.

Beyond the organization’s structural issues, Zach Berman points out specific player struggles. He discusses Timo Meier’s drop in effectiveness under coach Sheldon Keefe, who, according to Zach Berman, has made questionable tactical choices that have neutralized the Devils’ top talents. The theme is clear: the team lacks direction, both behind the bench and in the front office, and fans ought to root for losses to maximize lottery odds and force meaningful change.

Looking ahead, Zach Berman highlights upcoming "tank games" against other struggling teams, underscoring that continued losing might be the most constructive path for the franchise right now. He admits the frustration of rooting against his own team but argues that, with elite draft prospects on the horizon, enduring short-term pain could set up long-term gain—provided the right decisions are made at the top. The episode closes with the promise of more frank analysis to come, regardless of how painful the Devils’ season gets.

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