As the 2025–26 NHL season approaches, the New Jersey Devils are entering training camp with cautious optimism and a strong sense of purpose. After a preseason marked by roster cuts, contract questions, and some intriguing performances from prospects, the spotlight now shifts to how the team’s defense corps will anchor the season ahead. With health restored to much of the blue line, young talent waiting for its chance, and key veterans returning, this group may be the most influential factor in determining how far New Jersey can go.
The Devils reduced their training camp roster from 61 to 45 players on September 29, loaning several skaters to the Utica Comets, their AHL affiliate. Among the notable assignments were goaltenders Tyler Brennan and Jakub Malek, along with forwards Josh Filmon, Cam Squires, and Dylan Wendt. On defense, Jeremy Hanzel was also sent down. The cutdown signaled the beginning of head coach Sheldon Keefe’s process of refining a roster that expects to compete for playoff positioning right out of the gate.
One of the most pressing questions revolves around Luke Hughes, the young star blueliner whose contract negotiations remain ongoing. The expectation remains that the Devils will lock him into a long-term deal before the regular season begins, making him the centerpiece of the franchise’s defense for years to come. His emergence has also sparked speculation about the future of veteran Dougie Hamilton. Hamilton, who carries a $9 million cap hit and holds a no-trade clause, remains committed to New Jersey, but the realities of salary cap management mean his role will continue to be scrutinized.
The Devils’ defense is entering the season in a far better position than last year, when injuries devastated the unit. Jonathan Kovacevic is expected to miss time, but the addition of Calen Addison provides depth, and Simon Nemec appears ready to step into a larger role. Seamus Casey could also see opportunities if needed, while Dennis Cholowski is penciled in as a seventh defenseman. For New Jersey, having reliable options ready in Utica ensures that injuries will not derail the season the way they did in 2024–25.
Last season’s metrics showed that the Devils’ defense quietly excelled despite the injuries. Pairings like Jonas Siegenthaler and Kovacevic suffocated opponents, ranking among the league’s best in expected goals against. Meanwhile, Hamilton and Brenden Dillon played a more aggressive style, generating offense while giving up their share of chances. Hughes and Brett Pesce struck a balance between both ends of the ice, showing chemistry that the team will likely keep intact. If Hughes does sign before opening night, that pairing could be the foundation of the defense moving forward.
Production from the blue line, however, is where the Devils need to grow. Hughes led defensemen with 44 points last season, while Hamilton added 40 in a campaign interrupted by injury. Those numbers were solid, but for New Jersey to become a true Stanley Cup contender, they need more scoring from the back end. With Hughes developing into an elite two-way threat and Hamilton capable of replicating his high-scoring 2022–23 season if healthy, the potential is there. Beyond those two, the rest of the defense corps—Pesce, Siegenthaler, Dillon, and Kovacevic—remain defensive specialists, meaning their contributions will be judged less on points and more on keeping opposing stars in check.
Off the ice, general manager Tom Fitzgerald spent the offseason adding depth at center and filling roster gaps that had been exposed last year. Forwards Cody Glass, Connor Brown, Juho Lammikko, and Evgenii Dadonov will all be expected to play important roles, while the preseason gave prospects like Ethan Edwards a chance to flash their potential. Goaltender Mikhail Yegorov, coming off a strong season at Boston University, is beginning to draw attention as a possible future star. Forward Arseniy Gritsyuk has also impressed, strengthening the Devils’ pipeline.
The preseason results were mixed, with the Devils posting a 2-2-1 record that included losses to the Washington Capitals and Ottawa Senators in late September. But preseason records rarely tell the full story, and the coaching staff was more focused on experimenting with pairings and gauging young players’ readiness. The final tune-ups before the regular season include a matchup against the New York Rangers on October 2, with opening night set for October 9 against the Carolina Hurricanes.
The first stretch of the regular season will be challenging, as New Jersey faces Carolina, Tampa Bay, and Columbus on the road before returning to Prudential Center to host the Florida Panthers on October 16. That schedule will test the Devils’ ability to lean on their defensive depth while integrating new additions into the lineup.
What is clear is that this defense corps, from Hughes’ rising stardom to Nemec’s growth and the stabilizing presence of veterans like Pesce and Siegenthaler, will determine whether the Devils can establish themselves as legitimate contenders. For a franchise hungry to build on recent progress, a healthy and productive blue line may be the key difference between another playoff appearance and a deep postseason run.
For more updates, features, and in-depth coverage of the Devils throughout the season, visit Explore New Jersey’s Devils section.
