Sunny Mehta wasted little time putting his own stamp on the New Jersey Devils, turning an offseason filled with difficult decisions into one centered on flexibility and opportunity. Instead of chasing quick fixes, the new general manager has reshaped the roster, created financial breathing room, and stocked the organization with valuable future assets.
These moves have shifted the conversation from what New Jersey had to fix to what it can afford to do next.
Steve Werier Predicts Sunny Mehta’s Next Move in New Jersey
Former Florida Panthers assistant general manager Steve Werier sees Mehta’s biggest accomplishment as something that won’t show up on a scoresheet.
During an appearance on The Sheet with Jeff Marek, Werier explained that Mehta has quietly built a roster with enough flexibility to attack the market from multiple directions instead of forcing a single path.
Looking at the Devils’ offseason, Werier praised the work already completed before speculating about what could come next.
“I think he has options, which is the big win for him, right? He was able to get out from the Markstrom contract without having to open up that second buyout window and buy him out. He signed Rytsiak to an easily manageable number on a bridge deal. He brought in some draft picks for Simon Nemec without committing cap space there, which I think is a smart move.”
These moves fundamentally changed New Jersey’s outlook. By moving Jacob Markstrom’s $6 million AAV contract without retaining salary or resorting to a buyout, Mehta cleared a major financial obstacle while preserving flexibility.
He also secured a team-friendly bridge contract for Arseny Gritsyuk and converted Simon Nemec into premium draft capital, strengthening both the organization’s present and future. But one of his biggest accomplishments has been signing an extension for captain Nico Hischier to a 5-year, $11.7 million AAV contract, which would start in 2027-28.
The Devils now sit with $7,627,500 in available cap space while carrying a full 23-man roster, leaving Mehta free to pursue impact additions rather than spending resources on depth signings.
This flexibility is there because Utah matched New Jersey’s one-year, $4.775 million offer sheet for Barrett Hayton, instantly returning that money to the Devils’ salary cap.
With extra draft picks and healthy cap space, New Jersey has positioned itself to explore several avenues, including adding a top-six forward, pursuing another high-profile trade, or reinforcing its goaltending group. The organization has enough financial room to remain patient instead of reacting to every opportunity that surfaces during the offseason.
Werier believes that patience is exactly what makes the Devils dangerous.
“And so now, the best thing I’d say about Sunny’s position is, who knows? But he has options. He has cap space, he has picks, and I don’t know where he’ll go with it. But he’s a poker player. He’s got a lot of outs, and I bet he uses some.”
The comparison fits Mehta’s background as a former professional poker player, where success often comes from staying disciplined until the right opportunity presents itself. Rather than cornering himself with expensive commitments, he has built a position of strength that allows the Devils to respond when the market shifts.
ALSO READ: Canucks Urged To Raid Maple Leafs For $46,500,000 Winger Matthew Knies
Whether that next move comes through a blockbuster trade, free agency, or another creative roster maneuver, Werier believes Mehta has already accomplished the most important objective. He has given New Jersey options, and in today’s NHL, that may be the franchise’s biggest advantage.
