The New Jersey Devils have officially announced their 2026-27 preseason schedule, providing the first complete look at the club’s September preparations as players begin the transition from offseason training to the start of a new National Hockey League campaign. The four-game exhibition schedule, combined with the organization’s training camp and rookie camp plans, outlines the final evaluation period before the regular season while offering fans an early opportunity to see one of the NHL’s most closely watched teams return to the ice.
The preseason schedule features four games against the Devils’ Metropolitan Division rivals, the New York Islanders and New York Rangers. Two contests will be played at Prudential Center in Newark, while two additional games will be played on the road, giving the coaching staff opportunities to evaluate veteran players, recent acquisitions and prospects in a variety of game situations before final roster decisions are made.
Preparations begin well before the opening exhibition game. Rookie players are scheduled to report to training camp on Friday, September 11, with veterans joining camp on Wednesday, September 16. Before the full roster assembles, the Devils and Islanders will meet in a two-game rookie series designed to provide valuable development opportunities for the organizations’ top young prospects. The first rookie game will be played on Sunday, September 13, at RWJBarnabas Health Hockey House in New Jersey, followed by the return matchup on Tuesday, September 15, at Northwell Health Ice Center on Long Island.
The Devils will open their preseason schedule at Prudential Center on Sunday, September 20, hosting the Islanders in a 1:00 p.m. afternoon contest before welcoming the Rangers the following evening on Monday, September 21, for a 7:00 p.m. matchup. The club then travels to Madison Square Garden on Thursday, September 24, to face the Rangers before concluding the exhibition schedule on Saturday, September 26, against the Islanders at UBS Arena.
While preseason records carry little significance, the exhibition schedule remains one of the most important evaluation periods of the hockey calendar. Coaching staffs use the games to establish line combinations, evaluate defensive pairings, assess special teams, integrate new players into the system and determine which prospects are prepared to compete for NHL roster spots. The condensed nature of this year’s training camp places even greater emphasis on maximizing every practice session and exhibition game before opening night.
This year’s preseason also arrives following one of the organization’s most significant offseasons in recent memory. Earlier this week, the Devils completed a major trade with the Calgary Flames, sending defenseman Simon Nemec and forward Maxim Tsyplakov west in exchange for defense prospect Etienne Morin, two top-10 protected first-round draft selections and an additional second-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. The transaction significantly increased the organization’s long-term draft capital while providing management with additional flexibility as it continues to shape the roster for both the immediate future and the seasons ahead.
The move also represented the first major personnel decision under General Manager Sunny Mehta, who assumed control of hockey operations following the departure of former General Manager Tom Fitzgerald near the conclusion of last season. Rather than focusing exclusively on the current roster, the transaction demonstrated an emphasis on strengthening organizational depth and expanding the club’s collection of premium draft assets over multiple seasons.
As a result of recent transactions, New Jersey now possesses an increasingly valuable collection of future draft selections in addition to its own first-round choice in the 2026 NHL Draft. The Devils also control a 2026 second-round selection acquired from the New York Rangers, a 2027 first-round selection originally belonging to the Vegas Golden Knights, and a 2028 first-round pick obtained from the Colorado Avalanche. Those assets provide considerable flexibility as management evaluates future trades, prospect development and long-term roster construction.
Another important storyline entering training camp remains the future of captain Nico Hischier. Contract discussions have continued throughout the offseason as the organization works toward securing one of its franchise cornerstones while maintaining long-term salary-cap flexibility. Although no agreement has been announced, Hischier remains central to the club’s plans both on and off the ice, making his contract status one of the key issues to watch as training camp approaches.
For fans, the preseason schedule provides the first opportunity to see the Devils together before the regular season begins. Veterans will begin preparing for another demanding Metropolitan Division schedule, while younger players and recent draft selections will compete to demonstrate that they belong on the NHL roster. Every practice, rookie game and preseason contest contributes to the decisions that ultimately shape the opening-night lineup.
Individual tickets for the 2026-27 regular season are expected to become available in the coming weeks. The organization has also announced that Black and Red Memberships will again provide priority purchasing opportunities, flexible ticket management options, exclusive member events and additional benefits for season-ticket holders.
The complete preseason schedule is as follows:
Sunday, September 13 — Rookie Game vs. New York Islanders, RWJBarnabas Health Hockey House, 2:00 p.m.
Tuesday, September 15 — Rookie Game at New York Islanders, Northwell Health Ice Center, 6:00 p.m.
Sunday, September 20 — New York Islanders at Prudential Center, 1:00 p.m.
Monday, September 21 — New York Rangers at Prudential Center, 7:00 p.m.
Thursday, September 24 — At New York Rangers, Madison Square Garden, 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, September 26 — At New York Islanders, UBS Arena, 7:00 p.m.
