The New Jersey Devils reshaped their roster this offseason with a clear focus on adding size, depth, and veteran stability while moving on from underperforming or expendable assets. These moves address weaknesses from last season and position them as a legitimate Stanley Cup playoff contender in 2026–27. Jack Hughes remaining healthy is also a key factor as he missed 21 games last season.
Michael Rupp on the NHL Network believes the New Jersey Devils will be back in the playoffs next season.
** NHLRumors.com transcription
Luftman: “Pick a team, Rupper, that missed the playoffs last year that you see getting in this year.”
Rupp: “I think it’s a slam dunk, New Jersey Devils.”
Luftman: “Wow! Quick answer.”
The Devils Sign Nico Hischier to a Five-Year Extension
Rupp: “You know, listen, I’m not gonna, I played for the Devils, won a Cup. Was a part of a great team in ’03 there, so it’s not because of that. A lot of people were like, ‘Yeah, yeah, okay.’
No, this is a good hockey club. This is a good hockey club that had some, had a really, really rough year last season. They didn’t get goaltending. They had injury problems. They couldn’t score goals. They, they need better from some of their players on their hockey club.
But at the end of the day, even dating back to Tom Fitzgerald, they did a lot of really good things putting this core group in place. And now you sit there, Sunny Mehta, at the helm. I like the moves that he’s made. They moved on. They’ve made some decisions.
This is a team that I don’t think will miss the playoffs this year. I think they will finish probably two or three in that Metro division. Could have home ice in the first round.”
Luftman: “We root for the health of all the players. If Jack Hughes is healthy, this team is must-see TV.”
Key Additions
- Anthony Mantha (F) – Brings a 6’4″, 230-lb power-forward presence to the top six, adding net-front scoring and physicality that the Devils lacked.
- Evan Rodrigues, Jesper Boqvist, Alex Steeves (F) – Acquired from Florida in the Jacob Markström trade, this trio adds versatile, two-way forward depth. Rodrigues and Boqvist can play wing or center and boost the bottom six with pace and defensive reliability.
- Declan Chisholm, Vladislav Kolyachonok (D) – Young, mobile defensemen who provide depth and upside on the left side, improving rotation options and injury resilience.
New Jersey Devils Need Jack Hughes to Stay Healthy
Key Subtractions
- Jacob Markström (G) – Traded to Florida; his .883 save percentage and inconsistency made him a liability. Moving him cleared cap and opened the door for Daws as the clear No. 1.nhl+1
- Simon Nemec (D) – Dealt to Calgary for multiple future picks and Etienne Morin. While talented, Nemec’s development stalled, and this return gives New Jersey valuable draft capital.nhl+1
- Dennis Cholowski, Colton White, Brian Halonen, Zack MacEwen, Evgenii Dadonov – Depth players who were either waived or moved on from, streamlining the roster and creating room for more effective contributors.
With Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt leading a deeper, more physical forward group, and a clearer identity in net, the Devils should be a playoff team next season. Their improved depth and veteran presence make them better equipped to handle the Metro Division’s grind.
