Ex-Bruins Top Draft Pick Signs PTO With Eastern Conference Rival

Jakub Zboril found a potential path to an NHL return in New Jersey.

The Devils on Thursday announced they signed Zboril to a professional tryout contract (PTO). The defenseman is slated to join his new club Sept. 18 when New Jersey opens training camp ahead of the 2024-25 NHL season.

Zboril hasn’t lived up to expectations since he was selected 13th overall by Boston in the 2015 draft. The 27-year-old spent seven-plus seasons in the Bruins organization before he was traded along with a 2027 third-round pick to the Blue Jackets in exchange for fellow blueliner Andrew Peeke back in March. Zboril never ended up playing with Columbus, instead logging 15 contests with the organization’s AHL affiliate in Cleveland.

Similarly, the Czechian only played in 76 NHL games with the Bruins despite being a part of the Original Six franchise for nearly a decade. The lion’s share of those appearances was in the 2020-21 campaign when he played in 42 of 56 regular-season tilts (the slate was shortened due to the COVID-19 pandemic). Zboril hasn’t played at hockey’s highest level since April of 2023.

Zboril also wasn’t the only 2015 first-round pick to leave Boston this calendar year, as Jake DeBrusk inked a deal with the Vancouver Canucks in free agency.