Predators and Devils hook up in a player-for-player trade

The Nashville Predators made a move on Wednesday, acquiring forward Erik Haula from the New Jersey Devils in return for a fourth round pick in this year’s draft and and defenseman Jeremy Hanzel.

This is a return to Nashville for Haula, who suited up for the Predators during the 2020-21 campaign, where he recorded 21 points (9g-12a) in 51 games.

“We are excited to have Erik join our team today,” Predators general manager Barry Trotz said. “He brings great flexibility to our roster with the ability to play up and down the lineup in a variety of different roles. We are confident that he’ll be able to play alongside our young players, helping to accelerate their development.”

This past season for the Devils, Haula recorded 21 points (11g-10a) and 39 penalty minutes while averaging 14:42 of ice time in 69 contests.

The Predators now own nine selections in the 2025 NHL Draft, set to be held next week from June 27-28 in Los Angeles – three in the first round; two in the second and sixth rounds; and one in the third and fifth rounds.

As for Hanzel, he is a 22-year-old blue liner who was chosen by the Colorado Avalanche in the sixth round (No. 187) of the 2023 NHL Draft. He played this season for Milwaukee of the American Hockey League and Atlanta of the ECHL. He was traded at last year’s deadline by the Avalanche to the Predators and is now on his way to New Jersey.

This is the projected lineup in Nashville this upcoming season with the addition of Haula: