BLOG: Wednesday's Playoff Results Earn Devils at Least Two Third Rounders

The Carolina Hurricanes dropped a 2-1 decision on Wednesday to the Boston Bruins, losing their series four games to one. As a result, the final condition of the Devils' trade with the Carolina Hurricanes back in February was satisfied.

On February 24, the Devils acquired forward Janne Kuokkanen, defenseman Frederick Claesson, and a conditional fourth rounder in 2020 in exchange for Sami Vatanen.

The fourth rounder's condition was that it could become a third rounder if Vatanen played in 70% of Carolina's playoff games. In the five games against the Bruins, Vatanen suited up for four so by virtue of palying 80% of the games, the Devils now get a 2020 third-rounder.

New Jersey also gets at least a 2021 third rounder from the Arizona Coyotes. Arizona lost today as well, 7-1 to the Colorado Avalanche, dropping their series four games to one. That pick could still become a second rounder if Taylor Hall ends up re-signing with the Desert Dogs.

The Coyotes' loss also guarantees that the Devils' first-round pick acquired in that same trade will be no worse than 18th overall. If Calgary or Montreal can advance to the third round of the playoffs, that pick could move to 17th, or 16th if both teams advance.