Devils Secure Trade for Nick Bjugstad

Bassyonni

Published: February 4, 2026 2:42 PM ET

The New Jersey Devils have secured a deal to acquire center Nick Bjugstad from the St. Louis Blues. This announcement was initially made by former NHL player and podcaster Jordan Schmaltz. The trade will involve a mid-round pick and a prospect moving to St. Louis in exchange for Bjugstad.

Trade Context and Immediate Implications

This trade occurs just before a league-wide trade moratorium scheduled to last throughout the Olympic break. With only 12 days until the trade deadline, heightened activity was anticipated. However, trade activity has been limited recently, with the exception of moves made by the New York Islanders last week.

Roster Adjustments for the Devils

The Devils will need to make a roster adjustment to accommodate Bjugstad. This is crucial for ensuring he can join the team effectively.

Nick Bjugstad’s Performance Overview

This season has been challenging for 33-year-old Bjugstad. Injuries have plagued him throughout his 14-year NHL career. A significant upper-body injury sidelined him for almost a month in December and January.

Moreover, he appeared as a healthy scratch multiple times before his injury, resulting in only 35 game appearances this season. During these games, he has managed to score six goals along with one assist, yielding a meager points-per-game rate of 0.20, the lowest in his career for a minimum of 25 games.

Defensive Contributions

Despite his offensive struggles, Bjugstad has maintained solid defensive performance. His effectiveness was evident when he centered the fourth line alongside teammates Nathan Walker and Alexey Toropchenko. This trio managed to control 54.2% of expected goals, a commendable statistic given their frequent deployments in defensive zones.

Faceoff Success

Bjugstad has had an impressive showing in faceoffs, winning 51.1% of his draws.
This is above his career average of 49%.

As the Devils look to integrate Bjugstad into their lineup, his experience and defensive skills could prove valuable as the season progresses. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.