It’s been 81 days since the final horn sounded on their last season, and precisely 82 days remain until the puck officially drops on the 2025-26 NHL campaign in Carolina. This mid-point lull offers a perfect opportunity to dissect the recently released schedule and ponder what lies ahead for our beloved Devils.
The NHL’s schedule release is always met with anticipation, and this year is no exception. While no schedule is ever truly “perfect,” let’s dive into some of the notable aspects, both positive and challenging, that will shape the Devils’ journey. For an in-depth look at all things Devils, visit us at explorenewjersey.org/new-jersey-devils/.
Navigating the New Season: Positives on the Horizon
A Late Start at Home, a Strategic Advantage: The Devils will kick off their season with a road swing, making their home opener one of the latest in the league on October 16th at “The Rock.” While some might crave an earlier return to their home ice, this delayed debut offers a subtle but significant advantage. Starting on the road allows the team to build momentum, gel as a unit, and perhaps even grab a few early wins before facing the pressure of a home crowd. It also means more home games later in the season, a welcome relief during the grueling stretches of March and April.
Early Tests Forge Character: Don’t expect an easy ride out of the gate. Six of the Devils’ first seven contests pit them against teams that made the playoffs last season. The lone exception, Columbus, was a formidable “bubble” team. This front-loaded challenge, with 14 of the first 25 games against recent playoff contenders, presents a crucial early test. It forces the team and new head coach Sheldon Keefe to quickly adapt, establish their identity, and prove their mettle against top-tier competition. This demanding start could be the crucible that forges a resilient and battle-hardened squad.
Say Goodbye to Late-Night Woes: For the dedicated fans who juggle work and their passion for the Devils, there’s good news: no 10:30 PM ET starts this season. The league’s push for earlier game times, especially for West Coast matchups, means fewer bleary-eyed mornings. While a 6:30 or 6:45 PM local start would be even more ideal for East Coast viewers to catch puck drop on time, this is a positive step. However, the “Frozen Frenzy” concept, where all 32 teams play with staggered starts, still leaves some puzzling gaps in the schedule. One has to wonder why the NHL skipped crucial quarter-hour slots, especially for prime matchups.
Areas for Improvement: Challenges on the Calendar
The Rest Imbalance and Back-to-Back Grind: The schedule isn’t without its kinks. The Devils face one of the most imbalanced rest schedules in the NHL, with four more instances of playing a rested opponent while their own players are tired, compared to the inverse. Compounding this, they’re slated for a hefty 15 back-to-back sets. While back-to-backs are part of the NHL landscape, the concern truly mounts when they coincide with a significant rest disadvantage. It’s perplexing how teams like the Devils, Sharks, and Hurricanes bear a disproportionate share of these demanding stretches, while other, seemingly more “advantaged” clubs, enjoy fewer. This is a long-standing issue the league needs to address for competitive fairness.
Rivalry Games Take a Back Seat: Perhaps the most head-scratching aspect of the new schedule is the reduced number of rivalry games. The Devils will only face the New York Rangers and Philadelphia Flyers three times each. For a league that consistently champions divisional rivalries, limiting these heated matchups feels counterintuitive. Even more puzzling, all three Rangers games are crammed into March, with only one being a home contest. This concentration risks these high-stakes games becoming less impactful if one or both teams are out of playoff contention by then. While the Flyers may not be at their peak, these games are always fiercely contested and a staple for local fans.
Matinee Madness and Missed Marketing Opportunities: The matinee schedule also raises questions, particularly for fans outside the immediate East Coast viewing window. While afternoon games have their charm, some of the Devils’ early afternoon tilts, especially against West Coast opponents, create less-than-ideal viewing times for a national audience. The “Hughes Bowl,” a highly anticipated matchup between brothers Jack and Quinn Hughes, is relegated to a Sunday afternoon, directly competing with NFL games featuring local teams. This decision seems like a missed opportunity to truly highlight one of the league’s most exciting sibling rivalries in a prime-time slot. After January, the Devils’ home matinee schedule significantly dwindles, seemingly overlooking an opportunity to engage a broader audience, especially during weekends without intense rivalry matchups.
Preparing for the Gauntlet: A Look Ahead
The unique challenges of an Olympic year further amplify the importance of strategic planning for General Manager Tom Fitzgerald and Head Coach Sheldon Keefe. The demanding early schedule, coupled with the inevitable mid-season Olympic break, necessitates a robust and adaptable roster.
One key takeaway for the Devils is the value of defensive depth. The early-season gauntlet will test every player, and the low-rest realities surrounding the Olympic break mean that a player like Dougie Hamilton, currently subject to trade rumors (though recent indications suggest he’s staying put), becomes even more essential. His experience and talent will be crucial, and a healthy rotation of the team’s seven NHL-caliber defensemen after Kovacevic’s return would be a significant advantage, allowing for fresh legs during intense stretches.
On the offensive side, Coach Keefe will need to swiftly assess his forward lines. Identifying the optimal top-six combinations early is paramount, as the team cannot afford to wait until December to discover which young talents like Arseni Gritsyuk or more seasoned players like Evgeni Dadonov or Cody Glass can consistently contribute at a high level. For the Devils to truly contend in the Eastern Conference, these lineup decisions must be made effectively and with an eye toward maximizing performance.
Finally, the Olympic year will test the Devils’ depth and conditioning. With several players likely to represent their countries, including Jack Hughes for Team USA and a strong contingent for Switzerland (Nico Hischier, Timo Meier, Jonas Siegenthaler) and Sweden (potentially Jesper Bratt or Erik Haula), and even consideration for others like Dougie Hamilton, Brett Pesce, or Luke Hughes, managing player fatigue and potential injuries will be critical. Some players could potentially play upwards of 89 games between regular-season and Olympic contests. The Devils will need contingency plans in place to ensure their core players remain fresh and perform at their peak when it matters most.
The countdown is on. The Devils’ 2025-26 season promises to be a test of skill, resilience, and strategic depth. As fans, we eagerly await the puck drop and the unfolding drama of another exciting hockey season.
