The NHL recorded no trades between July 25 and August 28, ending a one-month-plus lull only when San Jose acquired Oskar Olausson for Danil Gushchin. League inactivity contrasts with last August’s eight trades and notable offer sheets. Several franchises appear to be pausing to map long-term strategies. The New Jersey Devils are managing cap space while prioritizing a long-term contract for 21-year-old defenseman Luke Hughes. New Jersey has just under $7 million in available cap space. Teams may be over the cap during the off-season but must be cap-compliant by opening night on October 9.
That's right, one month and three days without a single trade. The Devils aren't alone here; the entire league seems to have been on pause since just a few weeks after free agency opened. This is unusual. Last August, there were eight trades across the NHL. Now, as we approach the final days of the month, it looks like August will close out with zero.
So why the standstill? There isn't just one answer. Some teams may simply be taking the time to map out their long-term plans. For the Devils, it likely comes down to managing cap space and preparing for a new long-term deal for 21-year-old defenseman Luke Hughes. New Jersey currently sits just under $7 million in cap space. Not every team is as fortunate; many are already over the limit or right up against it. That's allowed in the off-season, but teams must be cap-compliant by opening night.
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