Devils No. 1 Trade Target Should Be Oliver Bjorkstrand

Oliver Bjorkstrand may be the perfect for the New Jersey Devils ahead of the 2025 NHL Trade Deadline.

---

Follow us on Twitter: @AlexC_NJD, @NJD_OnTheRush

Follow me on Bluesky

---

There haven't been many rumors surrounding Oliver Bjorkstrand, but Frank Seravalli did have him at No. 9 on his most recent trade board before the 4 Nations Face-off. If the Seattle Kraken are looking to move him, he should be a top target for the New Jersey Devils.

Bjorkstrand's counting totals don't pop off the page. He has 15 goals and 35 points in 56 games — a 51-point pace over 82 games. Still, his underlying metrics are quite good, and he plays on a team that struggles to generate much offense. A change of scenery to a more talented squad like the Devils could serve him well, and there's a fit in New Jersey.

Bjorkstrand Looks Like What the Devils Need

Bjorkstrand is not an elite scorer, but he has been consistent throughout his career. He's averaged 20 goals and 51 points per 82 games in his time with the Kraken, which is right on par with his average of 22 goals and 51 points per 82 games for his career.

Though he's not the fleetest of foot — his top skating speed ranks below the 50th percentile — Bjorkstrand makes up for it in other areas of the game. While he's not an elite shooter, his top shot speed ranks in the 73rd percentile. He's also a volume shooter, as he has 115 shots on goal in 56 games, an average of 2.05 per game.

Bjorkstrand is not just a shooter, either. He's a good playmaker and can drive play, something the Devils could use more of in their lineup, especially in the top six.

And though Kraken aren't the most offensively gifted team at five-on-five, Bjorkstrand can score at that game state. He's averaging 2.19 points per 60 minutes at five-on-five, the best rate among Kraken skaters. For context's sake, that would make him the Devils' second most efficient five-on-five scorer behind Jesper Bratt.

Bjorkstrand is averaging only 15:31 of ice time this season, but one has to think that would increase a bit on a team like the Devils, where he'd likely see more time alongside Nico Hischier or Jack Hughes. Given his five-on-five scoring rates in Seattle, it wouldn't shock me if his output increased on the Devils.