The first reaction was shock.
Devils players know trades are part of hockey, but that didn't help soften the initial blow of suddenly losing one of their own.
Following Thursday's trade of Adam Henrique to the Anaheim Ducks for defenseman Sami Vatanen, Devils players quickly took the ice for practice before talking about the trade.
"It's obviously stunning," Devils goalie Cory Schneider said. "He's been here since I got here, one of the few guys left since I got traded here, and he's become a good friend, great teammate, fan favorite, a guy who laid it all on the line on the ice, off the ice for the organization and really embodied being a Devil.