Butcher agreed to a two-year, entry-level contract with the Devils on Aug. 27, 2017 after he declined to sign with the Colorado Avalanche, who selected him in the fifth round (No. 123) of the 2013 NHL Draft.

Butcher arrived in New Jersey after helping the University of Denver win a national championship. He scored 37 points (seven goals, 30 assists) in 43 games and became the second player in school history to win the Hobey Baker Award, given to the player voted the best in NCAA men's ice hockey.

He also became the first player in franchise history (Devils, Colorado Rockies and Kansas City Scouts) to score three points in his NHL debut (all assists) in a 4-1 win against the Avalanche on Oct. 7, 2017. Butcher then set an NHL record by becoming the first rookie defenseman to have at least eight assists in his first five games in the League after getting two against the New York Rangers on Oct. 14, 2017. He scored his first NHL goal at the Winnipeg Jets on Nov. 18, 2017.

Butcher was named to the NHL All-Rookie Team after he finished the 2017-18 season with 44 points (five goals, 39 assists) in 81 games.

He scored 30 points (four goals, 26 assists) in 78 games in his second NHL season and signed a three-year, $11.2 million contract with the Devils on July 31, 2019.

Butcher had 21 points (four goals, 17 assists) in 56 games when the 2019-20 season was paused March 12 due to concerns surrounding the coronavirus.

NOTES & TRANSACTIONS

• NCHC First All-Star Team (2016, 2017)
• NCAA West Second All-American Team (2016)
• NCAA West First All-American Team (2017)
• Hobey Baker Memorial Award (Top U.S. Collegiate Player) (2017)
• NHL All-Rookie Team (2018)
• Signed as a free agent by New Jersey, August 27, 2017.
• Traded to Buffalo by New Jersey with a 5th-round pick in 2022 NHL Draft for future considerations, July 28, 2021.