With the 2025-26 NHL regular season about to begin, the New Jersey Devils are finalizing their lineup and making difficult roster decisions. As of October 6, several players were placed on waivers or reassigned to Utica, while injuries continue to shape the team’s Opening Night outlook. The Devils will drop the puck on their new campaign October 9 in Raleigh against the Carolina Hurricanes, but the roster puzzle has already generated plenty of storylines.
Devils Send Multiple Players to Utica
The organization made a series of assignments to their AHL affiliate, the Utica Comets, trimming the roster to meet the regular season requirements. Defensemen Dmitri Osipov, Ethan Edwards, Mikael Diotte, Topias Vilén, and Austin Strand are all Utica-bound. They will be joined by forwards Xavier Parent, Jack Malone, and Matyas Melovsky, as well as goaltender Georgi Romanov.
These moves reflect the team’s commitment to building depth within the AHL system while leaving room on the NHL roster for both established stars and emerging talent.
Waiver Wire Decisions
Along with direct assignments, New Jersey placed a number of players on waivers with the intent of moving them to Utica should they clear. The list includes defensemen Calen Addison and Colton White, forwards Thomas Bordeleau, Angus Crookshank, Brian Halonen, and Zack MacEwen, and goaltender Nico Daws.
The most notable name here is Daws, who has shown flashes of brilliance in his NHL appearances. Still just 24 years old, Daws recorded his first career shutout last season but faces uncertainty due to the Devils’ crowded goaltending situation. Whether he clears waivers or finds a new opportunity, Daws remains a player worth watching closely.
Injury Report Clouds Opening Night Plans
Injuries have added another layer of complication for head coach Travis Green and his staff. Forward Juho Lammikko remains sidelined with an undisclosed injury and is not expected back soon. Defenseman Brett Pesce, a key offseason addition, is questionable for Opening Night with his own undisclosed issue.
Defense prospect Seamus Casey, dealing with a lower-body injury, is not projected to skate again in the near future, while Marc McLaughlin has already been ruled out for the rest of training camp. On a more positive note, Stefan Noesen has returned to practice in a regular jersey after dealing with a groin injury, giving the Devils hope that his veteran presence will be available sooner rather than later.
With several forwards unavailable, rookie Shane Lachance is expected to crack the Opening Night roster. His physical game and ability to step into bottom-six minutes could give the Devils a needed boost as they await the return of injured players.
Trade Notes
The Devils also pulled off a trade over the weekend, sending forward Kurtis MacDermid to the Ottawa Senators in exchange for Zack MacEwen. The move brings back a player who has already been placed on waivers, but it reflects New Jersey’s continued effort to balance toughness with roster flexibility.
Looking Ahead to the Season
The Devils’ regular season begins Thursday, October 9, against the Carolina Hurricanes. With a deep roster headlined by Jack Hughes, Nico Hischier, Jesper Bratt, Timo Meier, and Dougie Hamilton, expectations remain high in Newark. Still, the early-season test will be managing depth, navigating injuries, and making sure the goaltending tandem of Jacob Markstrom and Jake Allen can deliver stability in net.
Fans are also keeping a close eye on the team’s top prospects. Explore New Jersey will continue covering the Top 25 Under 25 rankings, which highlight the next wave of Devils talent, from Lenni Hameenaho’s scoring potential to Anton Silayev’s towering presence on defense. These rankings show just how strong the Devils’ developmental pipeline is heading into a season where the team is expected to contend in the Metropolitan Division.
The road to success in the NHL is rarely smooth, and the Devils are already being tested before the first puck drops. But with depth throughout the lineup, one of the strongest prospect pools in the league, and a roster hungry to prove itself, New Jersey is positioned to weather these early roster challenges.
For more coverage of the team and season updates, visit Explore New Jersey’s Devils page and stay connected to everything happening on and off the ice.
