New Jersey Devils GM Sunny Mehta upbeat on contracts and eyes trade for Mason McTavish

General manager Sunny Mehta told a town‑hall meeting that negotiations with forward Nico Hischier and winger Arseny Gritsyuk are progressing positively. Hischier, entering the final year of his deal, could sign an eight‑year extension before July 1, while Gritsyuk, a restricted free agent, remains under Devils’ control. Mehta also noted other pending restricted free agents, including defenseman Simon Nemec.

The Devils finished the 2025‑26 season near the bottom of the Metropolitan Division, missing the playoffs with 87 points. Injuries to captain Jack Hughes and an aging core have created a need to reshuffle contracts and add youthful talent. Mehta has been linked to a potential trade with the Anaheim Ducks, in which the Devils would acquire forward Mason McTavish – a former first‑round pick with offensive upside – possibly in exchange for Nemec. Both players are pending restricted free agents, making a sign‑and‑trade scenario feasible as the club seeks to rebuild for future contention.