The team welcomed a new face into the fold, while also saying goodbye to a veteran.
General manager Ray Shero announced the club acquired defensemen Sami Vatanen from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for forward Adam Henrique, forward Joseph Blandisi and a conditional draft pick.
Vatanen is a 26-year-old from Finland who joins the Devils as a mobile-defenseman who can play in all situations. He was a fourth-round selection of the Ducks in 2009 and in 280 career games, has 33 goals and 93 assists.
"I know he's a right-handed offensive-defensemen that can move the puck," said Taylor Hall when asked about the trade after practice on Thursday. "[He] likes to play on the offensive side of the red line. In saying that, it's an exciting player to play with. You want to be on the ice with players like that."
Captain Andy Greene added:
"Just from playing against him over the last couple of years … he's a player that can move the puck really well. Good skater. Looking forward to getting to meet him."
The Devils will get that chance when they land in Colorado. Vatanen will meet his new team in Denver, as the Devils prepare to play against the Colorado Avalanche. Coach John Hynes said that Vatanen will play in Colorado "if everything is all right with Sami."
The play of the Devils' young forwards like Nico Hischier and Jesper Bratt this season has been a focal point, and has greatly contributed to the team's 14-6-4 record. The depth at forward meant Shero was able to deal from a position of strength to better his team.
"If Jesper and Nico and Pavel [Zacha] haven't shown what they have at this point, maybe we hang on to a known commodity and a sure-thing in Adam," Cory Schneider said. "It's great that those guys have forced us, or enabled us, to make a decision and make a bold move that we're hoping will complete our team a bit better."
Schneider, while looking forward to adding Vatanen, also knows it's hard to let an old friend and teammate go.
"It's obviously stunning," he said. "Rico [Adam Henrique] has been here since I've been here. I think when you see a friend go, you want them to succeed, and he's going to be put in a position to succeed, which is great."
Schneider understands the business side of the game, having been traded himself to New Jersey from Vancouver.
"It's a win-win for both teams," he said. "Both teams get good players. It's tough to see Adam go, but [I'm] excited to see what Sami can add to our back end."
Hall added: "When you trade a good hockey player, you're going to get one back. That's the case here. For Adam, I think it's a good opportunity for him. He's a centerman and should be playing center, hopefully he gets that chance in Anaheim."
The Ducks and Devils will next meet on Dec. 18 at Prudential Center.
