Devils Acquire Physical Defender Kovacevic in Trade with Canadiens
On Sunday, the Devils made a trade with the Montreal Canadiens to acquire defenseman Johnathan Kovacevic. The team announced the news. In exchange for the third-year player drafted by the Winnipeg Jets in 2017, New Jersey is sending Montreal a 2026 fourth-round draft pick. This pick will be the best of the three fourth-round picks the Devils currently own from the Dallas Stars, the Jets, and their own.
Kovacevic, who is 26 years old, has played in 143 career games and has recorded nine goals and 19 assists. Last season, he scored 13 points (six goals, seven assists) in 62 games with the Canadiens. Standing at 6 feet 5 inches and weighing 225 pounds, Kovacevic has one year remaining on his three-year, $3.2 million contract that he signed in 2022. His current cap hit for this season is $766,667.
The Devils are excited about acquiring Kovacevic as he brings experience and leadership to their defense corps. He has a strong work ethic and is known for his physicality on the ice. With him on board, the team hopes to improve its defensive play and make a push for playoff contention next season.
