As summer gives way to fall, excitement is building in Newark for the 2025-26 NHL season. The New Jersey Devils are preparing to hit the ice for training camp, new players are settling in, and fans are anxiously awaiting updates on one of the team’s brightest young stars: Luke Hughes. With roster questions still swirling and the Prudential Center ready to host another year of electric hockey, the next few weeks will set the tone for what could be a pivotal season in Devils history.
Stay locked in with updates at Explore New Jersey Devils.
The Luke Hughes Contract Puzzle
The biggest storyline of the offseason continues to be the ongoing contract negotiations with restricted free agent Luke Hughes. Talks between the defenseman’s camp and Devils management remain stalled.
- The Devils are pushing for either a short-term bridge deal (around three years) or the maximum eight-year extension.
- Hughes’ camp, however, prefers a five-year contract, which would line up his free agency timeline with his brother Jack Hughes.
With just $6.1 million in cap space, New Jersey’s flexibility is limited. That, combined with a slow-moving league-wide offseason, has left negotiations dragging on longer than fans hoped. Still, both sides know Hughes is a franchise cornerstone, and the expectation is that a deal gets done before the puck drops in October.
Training Camp Dates and Preseason Matchups
Hockey is almost back.
- Rookies report to training camp on September 10, giving fans their first look at emerging prospects.
- Full team sessions begin on September 17, as veterans and newcomers hit the ice together under head coach Sheldon Keefe.
Among the fresh faces, Evgenii Dadonov and Connor Brown headline the new additions. They’ll join forces with core stars like Jack Hughes, Nico Hischier, Jesper Bratt, and Timo Meier as Keefe experiments with line combinations.
The preseason kicks off on September 21 with a can’t-miss matchup against the rival New York Rangers at Prudential Center. Several more tune-up games follow, leading into the regular season opener.
Regular Season Schedule Highlights
The 2025-26 regular season officially begins on October 9, when the Devils open on the road against the Carolina Hurricanes — a matchup that could be an early playoff preview.
Fans won’t have to wait long for the first home game at “The Rock.” The home opener is set for October 16 against the Florida Panthers, a team that continues to be one of the East’s most consistent contenders.
For Devils fans, opening night at Prudential Center has become more than just another game — it’s a measuring stick for the season to come, packed with energy, rituals, and anticipation.
Lineup Speculation: Old Formulas or Fresh Looks?
With camp approaching, one of the biggest questions is how Keefe will deploy his lineup. The Devils’ depth chart is versatile, but it leaves plenty of room for debate.
Here are some of the early possibilities:
- Old Reliable Top 6 / New Look Bottom 6: Keep the top two lines intact — Noesen–Hischier–Meier and Palat–Hughes–Bratt — while testing out newcomers like Gritsyuk, Dadonov, and Brown in supporting roles.
- Jack-Timo Reunion: Some critics say Jack Hughes and Timo Meier don’t click, but their numbers in limited minutes together suggest otherwise. A line of Dadonov–Hughes–Meier could balance speed, creativity, and scoring punch.
- Defensive Shutdown Third Line: Center Cody Glass could anchor a more defensive trio with Palat and Brown, freeing up Hischier and Hughes for more offensive deployment.
- Prospect Watch: KHL standout Arseni Gritsyuk, 24, is making his NHL debut this year. How Keefe integrates him into the lineup could be one of the season’s swing factors.
Ultimately, the Devils’ strength is their lineup flexibility. They can run skill-heavy top lines, physical bottom lines, or roll four balanced groups. Training camp and preseason will reveal which combinations stick.
Other Headlines Around the Devils
- Stanley Award Win: On July 24, the Devils and Prudential Center earned a Stanley Award, highlighting their success in fan engagement and event experience.
- Prospect News: Beyond Gritsyuk, several rookies will get a long look at camp as New Jersey looks to balance its salary cap with young, cost-controlled talent.
- Local Spotlight: Former Roxbury High School wrestling champion Luke Stanich made headlines this summer by winning the U20 World Wrestling Championship, bringing another layer of Jersey pride to the sports landscape.
Looking Ahead
From the uncertainty of the Luke Hughes contract negotiations to the excitement of training camp and the preseason, Devils fans are in for an eventful September. With a home opener against the Panthers circled on every calendar and a roster that’s both talented and adaptable, the Devils are once again poised to make noise in the Eastern Conference.
This season, the spotlight won’t just be on the Hughes brothers — it will shine on how the Devils blend veteran leadership, new additions, and rising prospects into a roster capable of chasing a Stanley Cup.
Stay with Explore New Jersey Devils for the latest news, analysis, and fan coverage all season long.
