What happened: New Jersey acquired forward Luke Evangelista from Nashville in a completed trade. The return was a first-round pick and a second-round pick in the 2028 NHL Draft.

Why it matters: The deal adds a forward ahead of the 2026-27 season and changes the Eastern Conference’s offseason balance. Nashville adds draft capital for a future rebuild or additional roster moves.

What to watch: Watch for how New Jersey uses Evangelista in training camp and whether Nashville moves either 2028 pick.