Dennis Cholowski’s Devils stint sets stage for July free-agent market

The New Jersey Devils have a defenseman changing chapters this offseason. Dennis Cholowski, described by his agent as set to hit the free agent market on July 1, finished the 2025-26 season split between the NHL and the American Hockey League, with the Devils using him as a depth option at even strength and in late-game matchups when they needed size, structure, and organization from the back end.

Cholowski’s NHL runway with New Jersey included 17 appearances in 2025-26. In parallel, he played 13 games for the Utica Comets in the AHL. Together, those stints reflect the role the Devils have leaned on for players in the bottom half of the rotation, a group that absorbs injuries, fills call-ups, and competes to earn more responsibility when the standings press for stability.

This decision comes with a transaction history behind it. New Jersey acquired Cholowski in March 2025 from the New York Islanders in exchange for forward Adam Beckman. That kind of mid-season swap typically indicates a team’s willingness to look for a specific roster fit, especially on defense, where the gap between a top pairing and a reliable depth pairing can be measured in minutes, matchups, and the ability to handle pressure without creating chaos.

By the time free agency opens, Cholowski will be 28 and available as a right-left mix depending on how teams deploy him, but more importantly, available as a veteran presence with recent NHL game experience and AHL seasoning. League-wide, those players often draw interest from teams that want to preserve defensive discipline while keeping roster flexibility for injuries and playoff intensity.

For New Jersey, Cholowski’s expected departure also highlights how the Devils’ roster planning is likely to continue focusing on depth defense. Even when a club isn’t shopping for a splashy star, it still needs a defensive group that can cover its system, keep pucks out of the slot, and keep transitions from becoming constant problems. Depth defensemen are especially valued in a long NHL season because they can be plugged into different situations without forcing the team’s identity to change.

The timing matters, too. A June 24 report that a player’s camp expects a July 1 market entry gives the Devils a clear window to either replace the role via another free agent, a trade, or internal competition. It also gives other teams a chance to evaluate whether Cholowski’s most recent workload pattern, including both NHL appearances and AHL assignments, aligns with the minutes they can realistically offer.

What to watch next is how New Jersey addresses the same roster need Cholowski filled: a depth defense option who can handle the middle minutes when the lineup shifts. Just as important, watch Cholowski’s market. If multiple teams treat him as an organizational fit, it would suggest that his profile as a “ready” blue-liner remains valued across the league, even if he was not a full-time top-six or top-four fixture with the Devils.