Devils Change Tune on Desired RFA, Expected to Qualify

As opposed to early reports, the New Jersey Devils are now expected to extend forward Cody Glass a qualifying offer.

Via Sportsnet 590, The Fan, Elliotte Friedman explained the Devils hesrd bow much interest there would be for Glass on the open market, which changed their stance on extending him a qualifying offer.

His qualifying offer costs $2.5 million. He is, however, arbitration eligible.

Glass (26) was acquired by the Devils at the 2025 NHL Trade Deadline from the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for Chase Stillman, Max Graham, and a third round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft.

Glass is a former first round pick by the Vegas Golden Knights, sixth overall in the 2017 NHL Draft.

Upon acquisition, Glass scored two goals and five assists for seven points in 14 games.

If the Devils do, in fact, extend Glass a qualifying offer, he is expected to skate behind Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier on the Devils’ center depth charts.

Given the strength, or lack-there-of, in the 2025 NHL Free Agency pool, it’s a smart bit of business to retain Glass, or at least his rights.

Devils general manager, Tom Fitzgerald, is adamant about reshaping the bottom six into more of an offensive threat. Glass brings more of a defensive-minded game, and is, in fact, elite in that area. However, his offensive instincts haven’t quite caught up to him at the NHL level.

He has shown flashes of offensive potential, however.

Regardless, keeping Glass in New Jersey, or at least utilizing his rights via trade later in the summer, is the best bet for the Devils, rather than allowing him to walk to unrestricted free agency.

The Devils have two additional RFAs to sign in Luke Hughes and Nolan Foote.

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