The New Jersey Devils recently released a video taking fans behind the scenes of an amateur scout meeting ahead of the 2025 NHL Draft. In the two-minute video, general manager Tom Fitzgerald stated, "We are not coming back with the same guys. We have got some decisions we have to make."
One pending unrestricted free agent who is waiting for the Devils to make those decisions is Daniel Sprong.
New Jersey acquired the 28-year-old from the Seattle Kraken on Mar. 7, 2025, for a seventh-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. He appeared in 11 games for the Devils, collecting two assists.
During his end-of-season media availability, Sprong praised Devils head coach Sheldon Keefe, "He is my favorite coach I have played for in the NHL so far. He is honest. He says it how it is. That works really well for me."
To begin the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Keefe put Sprong on the third line with Paul Cotter and Cody Glass. After Game 1, Sprong was taken out of the lineup and served as a healthy scratch for the remaining four postseason games.
Despite not playing in those final games, he shared that he enjoyed his limited time with the Devils.
"I loved it here," Sprong said during his exit interview. "A great group of guys (and) great fans. I would say everything before New Jersey (this season) was pretty difficult. Mentally, I had a lot of ups and downs, mostly downs, but when I got to New Jersey, I think I fit in well."
With free agency fast approaching, The Hockey News contacted the forward's agent to confirm if Sprong was preparing for free agency and was informed that they are "waiting on New Jersey." NHL free agency will begin in one week on Tuesday, July 1, at noon ET.
Over nine seasons in the NHL, Sprong has also played for the Pittsburgh Penguins, Anaheim Ducks, Washington Capitals, Detroit Red Wings, Vancouver Canucks, and Kraken. He has 166 points in 374 games.
He is one of six unrestricted free agents that the Devils have, along with Nathan Bastian, Justin Dowling, Curtis Lazar, Brian Dumoulin, and Jake Allen.
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Photo Credit: © Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images
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