Devils
A preview of the 2025-26 NHL season for the New Jersey Devils, including predictions from VSiN NHL Expert Jonathan Davis. For all other NHL team previews, check out our NHL page.
Key Additions: Connor Brown, Evgenii Dadonov, Arseni Gritsyuk
Key Departures: Erik Haula, Brian Dumoulin, Curtis Lazar
Overview
One year after missing the postseason derby, New Jersey earned one of the eight Eastern Conference playoff spots. Injuries on the blueline and a season-ending injury to Jack Hughes were too much for the Devils to overcome, as they were eliminated in the opening round by the Hurricanes.
Offense
The Devils were one of two playoff teams to rank in the bottom third of the league in goals scored (20th) and the numbers were even worse when it came to 5-on-5 scoring, finishing 26th overall. The main problem is that Jack Hughes can’t stay healthy, playing more than 62 games just once in his career. Despite playing just 62 games in 2024-25, Hughes led the team with seven game-winning goals. His 27 goals and 70 points were both second on the team in scoring.
Jesper Bratt may not be a household name to the casual hockey fan, but he is popular among NHL prop players. Bratt is coming off career highs in points (88), assists (67) and power play points (34). His 26 multi-point games last season were tied for 10th-most in the NHL. It was also another solid season for Nico Hischier, who led the Devils with a career high 35 goals and 14 power play goals.
Defense
The Devils gave up 61 fewer goals from a season ago – the biggest improvement in the NHL, as they went from 27th to fifth overall in team defense. Their games averaged 5.68 goals per game which ranked them 30th, helping to explain why they were tied with Anaheim for the most games going Under the posted total (48).
One of the bigger questions facing the Devils blue line is the future of Dougie Hamilton. With Simon Nemec and Seamus Casey both ready to become full-time NHLers, the Hamilton trade rumors are making the rounds. Luke Hughes also looks ready to take the reins from Hamilton as the No. 1 offensive defenseman and is due a new contract.
Goaltending
New Jersey’s goaltending tandem of Jacob Markstrom and Jake Allen is one of the better duos in the league. Markstrom’s 2.50 GAA and four shutouts were his best numbers since 2021-22 when he had 2.22 GAA and nine shutouts. But, after his return from a sprained MCL in March, he gave up three or more goals in eight of his 13 starts. He is in the final year of his deal that pays him just over $4 million.
Allen was one of the more sought-after free agent goalies in a thin market this summer, but the Devils re-signed him to a five-year deal at $1.8 million per season. New Jersey goalies combined for nine shutouts last season, just one fewer than league leaders Ottawa and Winnipeg.
Player to Watch
For the Devils to make any type of significant playoff run they are going to need Jack Hughes to be healthy and Dawson Mercer to have a bounce back season. The Hughes from 2022-23 would be nice, as he had 43 goals and 98 points over 78 games, as well as six goals and 11 points in 12 playoff games. With a healthy Hughes, the Devils will have the opportunity to be both playoff and Stanley Cup contenders.
Outlook
The last time New Jersey made it to the playoffs in consecutive seasons was 2009 and 2010. Last season, they were only two points better than Columbus and five up on the Rangers. DraftKings has the Devils point total at 99.5 and I will go with the Under and sprinkle a little on New Jersey to miss the playoffs at (+270).
Team Futures
Regular Season Points: 99.5
To Make the Playoffs: -350
To Miss the Playoffs: +270
To Win the Metropolitan Division: +280
To Win the Eastern Conference: +750
To Win the Stanley Cup: +1600
2024-25 Recap
Record: 42-33-7, 91 points (3rd in Metropolitan Division)
Over/Under: 32-48-2
Home Favorite: 17-18 // Home Dog: 1-3
Road Favorite: 16-12 // Road Dog: 4-7
Win Score 4 or more: 26 of 42 // Lose Give Up 4 or more: 24 of 40
Puck Line Wins: 30 of 42 // Puck Line Losses: 24 of 40
Front End Back-to-Back: 7-5 // Back End Back-to-Back: 3-9
Points Leader: Jesper Bratt – 88
Goal Leader: Nico Hischier – 35
Assist Leader: Jesper Bratt – 67
Shots on Goal Leader: Timo Meier – 238
Blocked Shots Leader: Brett Pesce – 138
Depth Chart
Forwards
Ondrej Palat / Jack Hughes / Jesper Bratt
Timo Meier / Nico Hischier / Stefan Noesen
Arseni Gritsyuk / Dawson Mercer / Connor Brown
Paul Cotter / Cody Glass / Evgenii Dadonov
Defense
Brendan Dillon / Dougie Hamilton
Luke Hughes / Brett Pesce
Jonas Siegenthaler / Simon Nemec
Goalies
Jacob Markstrom / Jake Allen
Power Play Unit 1
Stefan Noesen, Nico Hischier, Jesper Bratt, Dougie Hamilton, Jack Hughes
