The New Jersey Devils finished this season with an anemic 2.76 goals-per-game average, ranking an unacceptable 27th overall in the NHL. For a franchise boasting elite playmakers, that lack of offensive finish is the glaring hole keeping them from deep playoff runs. According to NHL analyst James Nichols of New Jersey Hockey Now, general manager Sunny Mehta holds the perfect trade chip to fix this instantly: the 12th overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft.
The primary target? St. Louis Blues electric winger Jordan Kyrou. It is a blockbuster proposal that rewards a desperate Devils team with a top-six finisher, while giving the Blues the premium draft capital they crave. But with Kyrou holding a no-trade clause (NTC) and carrying a hefty cap hit, is this trade actually viable? Let’s break down the mechanics of why moving the 12th overall pick for Kyrou makes perfect sense.
Why the St. Louis Blues and New Jersey Devils Match Up Perfectly
The St. Louis Blues are at a crossroads, actively looking to retool their roster and reset their competitive window. To accelerate that process, they need high-end draft capital. Moving Kyrou, who is locked in at an $8.125 million AAV through the 2030-31 season, achieves two goals: it frees up massive salary cap flexibility and secures a lottery-level pick (12th overall) to draft a foundational piece for their future.
On the flip side, the Devils are in a strict “win-now” mode. Waiting two to three years for a 12th overall draft pick to develop does not align with their current timeline. They need immediate impact players. Packaging that pick to acquire an established, 26-year-old star who can instantly step into the top six is smart asset management for a team trying to capitalize on its current core.
Jordan Kyrou’s Fit in the Devils’ Top Six
Kyrou is exactly the profile of player New Jersey lacked this season. His elite skating and high-end processing speed make him a perfect stylistic fit to ride shotgun with someone like Jack Hughes or Jesper Bratt. Instead of having to drive a line by himself, Kyrou would be perfectly positioned to exploit open ice and focus on what he does best: finishing plays.
The major hurdle, of course, is Kyrou’s no-trade clause. Any deal depends entirely on whether he would waive it to come to Newark. However, the prospect of playing next to Hughes in a fast-paced, transition-heavy offensive system has to be incredibly enticing for a dynamic scorer.
Jordan Kyrou Career NHL Stats
| Type | GP | G | A | P | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regular Season | 488 | 168 | 210 | 378 | -21 |
| Playoffs | 28 | 11 | 2 | 13 | -12 |
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