The New Jersey Devils have decided to make forward Ondrej Palat a healthy scratch for their upcoming game against the Winnipeg Jets due to ‘roster-related reasons,’ as reported by team journalist Amanda Stein. This marks an interesting turn of events for the 34-year-old Czech winger, who has found himself with only four goals and ten points in 51 games thus far this season.
Palat, an alternate captain for the Devils, is under a five-year contract valued at a $6 million annual cap hit that extends through the 2026-27 NHL season. Despite his history of solid performance, including a pivotal role in the Tampa Bay Lightning’s Stanley Cup Final runs, he has struggled to meet expectations since joining the Devils after the 2022 offseason.
Reports indicate that Palat left the Prudential Center shortly before the game began and did not participate in the team’s warm-ups. His contract contains a modified no-trade clause, allowing him to submit a list of ten teams to which he would accept a trade. Given Palat’s salary and underwhelming performance in New Jersey, any potential trade would likely have to include additional incentives for another team to assume his contract.
Originally selected in the seventh round (No. 208 overall) of the 2011 NHL Draft, Palat emerged from the AHL’s Norfolk Admirals after winning the Calder Cup in 2012. He distinguished himself as a key player in the NHL, highlighted by his playoff success, including leading in goals during the postseason and playing a significant role in the Lightning’s multiple trips to the Cup Final.
Across 876 career games in the NHL with both the Lightning and the Devils, Palat has garnered 181 goals and 515 points along with impressive playoff statistics, totaling 51 goals and 103 points in 155 contests. While his current situation in New Jersey may appear grim, it is also a testament to his prior accomplishments and contributions to the game, suggesting potential opportunities for rejuvenation in the right environment.