Predators reacquire Erik Haula from Devils

After a disappointing 2024-25 campaign, the Nashville Predators made a splash in the offseason trade market on Wednesday.
Nashville reacquired forward Erik Haula from the New Jersey Devils for defenseman Jeremy Hanzel and a 2025 fourth-round pick.
In 759 career NHL games, Haula has 337 points (153 goals, 184 assists). He has added 16 goals and 21 assists in 78 playoff appearances.
After being drafted in the seventh round of the 2009 NHL Draft by the Minnesota Wild, the veteran winger has spent 10 seasons in the league with the Wild (2013-17), Vegas Golden Knights (2017-19), Carolina Hurricanes (2019-20), Florida Panthers (2020), Predators (2020-21), Boston Bruins (2021-22) and the Devils (2022-25).
Haula, 34, scored nine goals and added 12 assists in 51 games in 2020-21 during his first stint with the Preds. The winger is entering the final year of a three-year contract ($3.15 million AAV).
Hanzel, 22, spent the 2024-25 season with the Milwaukee Admirals (AHL) and Gwinnett Gladiators (ECHL). He was held pointless in four games for the Admirals and had three goals and 19 assists in 61 games for the Gladiators.
The 6-foot-1 defender was drafted in the sixth round of the 2023 NHL Draft by the Colorado Avalanche before being dealt to the Predators in March 2024.