The New Jersey Devils have officially signed defensemen Dennis Cholowski and Calen Addison, center Marc McLaughlin, and winger Angus Crookshank to new contracts ahead of the upcoming season. These signings reinforce the Devils’ roster depth and continue the team’s efforts to strengthen its lineup with players familiar or newly added to the organization.
Dennis Cholowski Returns on Identical Contract After Trade Deadline Addition
Dennis Cholowski is one of the two players re-signing with New Jersey after joining the team at the 2025 trade deadline in a transaction with the New York Islanders, which sent Adam Beckman to the Islanders. Cholowski agreed to a one-year deal worth $775,000, mirroring the league-minimum salary from his previous contract. This continuation secures his spot on the Devils’ defensive lines for the upcoming season.
Last season marked Cholowski’s most active NHL campaign in five years, as he totaled 39 games across the Islanders and Devils, scoring three goals and adding seven assists for 10 points. His prior season with over 20 NHL games dated back to 2019-20, when he appeared in 36. Additionally, Cholowski participated in two playoff games with New Jersey but did not record any points. He also spent six games in the AHL with the Islanders’ affiliate, scoring one goal.
Marc McLaughlin Rejoins Devils After Season Split
Center Marc McLaughlin secured a new one-year contract with the Devils at a $775,000 cap hit, returning as a Group Six unrestricted free agent after his 2024-25 contract expired. McLaughlin’s season was divided between the Boston Bruins and New Jersey, stemming from a trade that sent Daniil Misyul to Boston.
During that span, McLaughlin appeared in 14 NHL games, collecting two goals and one assist. In the AHL, he played 50 games between the Providence Bruins and Utica Comets, posting five goals and 15 assists for 20 points, showing consistent performance on a two-way basis.
Calen Addison Signs One-Year Deal After AHL-Only Season
Calen Addison also agreed to a one-year, $775,000 contract with the Devils, marking his return to an NHL contract following a season limited to AHL agreements. Throughout 2024-25, Addison played exclusively in the AHL with the Henderson Silver Knights and Springfield Thunderbirds, affiliates of the Vegas Golden Knights and St. Louis Blues respectively.
He registered five goals and 31 assists, totaling 36 points in 62 games, demonstrating his ability to contribute offensively from the defensive position and earning another chance at the NHL level.
Angus Crookshank Commits to Devils with Two-Year Contract
Winger Angus Crookshank signed a two-year deal with the Devils at a $775,000 cap hit per year. Like McLaughlin, Crookshank was a Group Six unrestricted free agent following his one-year, $775,000 contract with the Ottawa Senators. During the 2024-25 season, he appeared in eight NHL games for Ottawa, recording one assist.
His primary contributions came in the AHL with the Belleville Senators where he played 62 games, netting 22 goals and adding 18 assists for a total of 40 points, confirming his scoring potential and expected role as an offensive asset for New Jersey.
Implications for the Devils’ Roster Moving Forward
By securing these four players, the Devils not only maintain continuity within their defensive and forward groups but also add reliability to both their NHL lineup and AHL affiliates. The combination of re-signing players familiar with the organization like Cholowski and McLaughlin, while also adding emerging talent such as Addison and Crookshank, supports a balanced approach to roster development. This strategy positions the Devils to remain competitive and develop prospects within their system going forward.