Haula Traded: 4 Internal Options for Devils to Fill Gap

In a move most saw coming as the New Jersey Devils are looking to reinvent their bottom-six, Erik Haula was traded to the Nashville Predators on Wednesday. Now, the Devils have a void to fill. Perhaps, it will be externally. However, there are four internal candidates who can replace Haula’s services.

For context, it’s important to highlight Erik Haula‘s role last season. The Finnish forward saw a significant regression in his production, scoring just 11 goals and 21 points in 69 games. Haula did have injury complications that derailed him a bit, however, went on a 27-game skid without registering a single goal, let alone a single point.

Still, he was in the lineup and never sat as a healthy scratch. That’s because although his scoring totals dipped, he was still a serviceable defensive forward and penalty killing specialist.

86.1% of Haula’s playing time was spent at the center position on the third line, while the remaining 13.9% he played left-wing somewhere in the middle-six.

Seeing as he played majority 3C, the Devils probably need an external upgrade at the third-line center position anyway. However, if given the chance, the following four players could fill the gap if put in the right situation.

Cody Glass

When Cody Glass arrived to the Devils at the 2025 NHL Trade Deadline, you could hear a collective scoff. It felt as though the Devils threw in the towel on the season after Jack Hughes became injured, and the Devils were missing some key players.

However, Glass was strapped to a rocket upon arriving to New Jersey, registering two goals and four assists for six points in his first seven games.

Glass was drafted sixth overall in the 2017 NHL Draft as a scoring two-way center.

He has yet to quite figure out the scoring part of his game consistently, netting a career-high 14 goals and 35 points in 2022-23 as a member of the Predators. However, has yet to replicate that kind of production since.

Glass, however, is an elite defensive forward with strong metrics in the neutral and defensive zone.

Perhaps, if Glass is put in the right situation with quality wingers, he could serve as a third-line center. The Winnipeg native is entering his age-26 season, typically where players begin to reach their peak.

He previously didn’t skate for the most offensive teams in the Predators, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Vegas Golden Knights. However, with the abundance of talent in New Jersey, perhaps his offensive game can become unlocked.

Glass is probably better served as a fourth line center who can earn more minutes as the result of positive play. However, there are worse options than Glass if he were to ultimately be the choice.

Paul Cotter

We all saw what Paul Cotter could do with the puck last season, right? Is there any doubt that the 23-year-old bulldozer could perhaps drive a line as a center?

Cotter has wheels and speed to burn. If we’re cutting him from a cloth, perhaps, it’s the same cloth as the Sam Bennett type of player. And look how long it took Bennett to reach the form he’s at now.

We’re not saying Cotter is Sam Bennett. But, what we are saying is perhaps he could provide that style.

Cotter scored 16 goals and 22 points in 79 games last season with the Devils. Like Glass, he’s heading into his age-26 season and is reaching the peak of his development. It’s not totally crazy to think that Cotter could transform his game to take up a center’s role. When Sheldon Keefe needed him to last season, Cotter spent 6% of his playing time at the center position, and didn’t fair all that bad.

This is a push the red button kind of option as of right now, but there is more to Cotter’s game than the already impressive skill set we saw. That was the initial reason why Tom Fitzgerald traded for him in the first place. And that’s why we saw him play in the top-six at some points, much like Haula did over the last three seasons.

If Cotter can continue to grow and show that he has line-driving abilities, and he’s supported by proper wingers, is it the worst gamble in the world?

Dawson Mercer

This is an opinion restated, but Dawson Mercer could be the fix.

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Mercer was drafted as a center, has filled in at center, and can be a center.

He’s at the ripe age of 23, heading into his 24-aged season with plenty of room to grow.

The problem is he’s never really defined a role. He’s so versatile, perhaps to a fault, and could use some consistency. His faceoff ability needs some work, and he has to prove he can help drive a line.

Yet, he’s got a 27-goal, near 60-point season under his belt, albeit, as a winger on Nico Hischier’s line.

Still, the former first round pick is held in high regard within the Devils organization. There’s a reason why plenty of inquiring teams have called about Mercer, and the Devils have turned them away.

Up against the cap for just $4 million over the next two seasons, if Mercer can develop his game as a 3C, they’re getting extreme value at the position in a rising cap era.

The Devils should be looking to add a top-six player, which could give them the option to move Mercer to full-time 3C. It’s worth a shot.

Juho Lammikko

If Juho Lammikko is the Devils’ third-line center when the puck drops in October, perhaps you’ll have reason to be upset. Lammikko returns to the NHL for the first time since the 2021-22 season after continuing his career overseas.

Lammikko is a big-bodied center at 6-foot-3, 203-lbs. He skates well with speed, however, doesn’t contribute all that much offensively. Defensively, he’s okay at chipping pucks out of the zone to clear from danger, however, is 50/50 in his puck battles.

In all honesty, there are a lot better options out there than Lammikko as of today. Perhaps, if he’s the name penciled into the roster, it’s because he had an outstanding camp and beat out the competition. However, nearing 30 years old, Lammikko isn’t likely to be taking any vast steps forward.

Lammikko was signed as a depth forward, 13th at most, which is where he should stay. He can play the center position, but if he’s more than a fill-in, that’s bad news for the Devils.

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