The Utah hockey club traded a defenseman. John Marino According to The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun, the Devils acquired the 153rd pick in the 2024 NHL Draft from the New Jersey Devils. In return, the Devils will receive the 49th pick and the Edmonton Oilers' second-round pick in 2025. LeBrun said this gives the Devils room to make signings. Brett Pesce when free agency opens on Monday.
Rumors of a potential Marino acquisition surged in the weeks leading up to the draft, with New Jersey inking a deal with Pesce. With the $4.4 million in spending money for Marino and $19.654 million in cap space, the team appears set to move down that path. That would be enough to lure Pesce away from Carolina, where he's played his entire career, but New Jersey also needs to keep seven other free agents in mind. Topping that list are: Dawson Mercerhas established a dominant role in the team's top six during his entry-level contract period, and while he should receive a significant salary increase, New Jersey will have Mercer at their core once he re-signs. Jack Hughes, Nico Hischer, Jesper Bratt, Timo Meierand Dougie Hamilton Signed for the foreseeable future.
Meanwhile, Marino Mikhail Sergachev He could be Utah's newest defender and play next to the former Lightning on the team's top line. Marino recorded four goals and 25 points in 75 games this season, just one point shy of his career high, which he recorded in 56 games as a rookie. He has proven himself reliable throughout his tenure with the Devils since joining the team in July 2022. New Jersey is Ty Smith And since putting Marino in a stable and reliable second-pair role, they also acquired a 2023 third-round pick for Pittsburgh. But Marino still has room to improve and could find his groove on Utah's blue line, where there's plenty of space.
