The New Jersey Devils announced a surprising trade on Wednesday, obtaining forward Nick Bjugstad from the St. Louis Blues in exchange for forward Thomas Bordeleau and a conditional fourth-round draft pick in 2026. This move marks the team’s only roster change before the NHL’s Olympic roster freeze, which begins now and lasts until February 22. The Nick Bjugstad Devils acquisition brings a veteran presence to an area of the lineup that has needed reinforcement.
A Look at Bjugstad’s NHL Journey
Nick Bjugstad’s professional hockey career began when he was selected 19th overall by the Florida Panthers in the 2010 NHL Draft. He made his NHL debut in the 2012-13 season and remained with the Panthers for seven seasons, compiling 87 goals and 104 assists. His most productive year came in the 2014-15 season, when he scored a career-best 24 goals.
Following his time in Florida, Bjugstad had stints with several teams including the Pittsburgh Penguins, Minnesota Wild, Arizona Coyotes, Edmonton Oilers, and the Utah Hockey Club, known now as the Utah Mammoth. Across his career, he has appeared in the playoffs with four different teams and recorded eight postseason points.
In July 2025, Bjugstad signed a two-year, $3.5 million contract as a free agent with the St. Louis Blues. However, his 2025-26 campaign has been inconsistent, registering six goals and one assist while averaging just over 11 minutes of ice time per game. He has played a physical bottom-six role but missed 15 games due to an upper-body injury. Since returning from long-term injured reserve, he has scored two goals in 10 outings, including a shorthanded goal in a shutout win against the Carolina Hurricanes. His 1.3 shots on goal per game highlight his ongoing offensive contributions, though the season has been uneven overall.
How Bjugstad Fits Into the Devils’ Lineup
Nick Bjugstad’s value lies largely in his physicality and depth capabilities, similar to recent addition Maxim Tsyplakov. Although his contributions may not always appear on the scoresheet, his size and defensive play bolster the Devils’ bottom-six forwards. He has already delivered 73 hits and blocked 22 shots in 35 games this season, emphasizing his role as a hardworking, physical forward.
One key area where Bjugstad can make an immediate difference is at the depth center position, a spot the Devils have struggled to fill consistently this season. He is expected to slot into the fourth-line center role, potentially replacing Luke Glendening, who has not tallied a point in his past 11 games. Bjugstad’s strong two-way approach, coupled with his 51.1% faceoff win rate—the highest he’s posted since the 2021-22 season with Minnesota—adds reliability to the Devils’ lineup.
Additionally, Bjugstad’s penalty-killing skills and ability to win puck battles provide tactical benefits. His size allows him to regain possession effectively, a valuable asset during tight defensive situations. Overall, this trade appears to be a calculated, low-risk maneuver aiming to fortify the Devils’ depth scoring and physical presence, enhancing their competitiveness as the season progresses.
Upcoming Game Offers Preview of Bjugstad’s Role
The Devils have just one remaining game before the league pauses for the Olympics—a key Metropolitan Division contest against the New York Islanders on Thursday night. This matchup may serve as Nick Bjugstad’s debut with his new team at Prudential Center, providing fans with the first opportunity to witness his impact firsthand. The trade injects hope and anticipation into the Devils’ lineup as they prepare for the midseason break and look to maintain momentum into the second half of the campaign.
