All posts by : Don Lichterman

In what has already been a turbulent and injury-riddled stretch for the New Jersey Devils, every roster decision this offseason carries weight—financially, competitively, and emotionally. One of the more intriguing situations centers on forward Cody Glass, a former sixth-overall draft pick whose brief but productive stint with New Jersey has fans and management alike wondering: Is there more to unlock here, or has Glass already hit his ceiling?

Let’s take a deeper look into what Glass brings to the table, how his presence fits the Devils’ current needs, and what General Manager Tom Fitzgerald might be thinking as the team navigates a critical offseason.

🧊 Who is Cody Glass—And What’s His Story?

Cody Glass entered the NHL with high expectations after being drafted sixth overall in 2017 by the Vegas Golden Knights—their first-ever draft selection. His junior career with the Portland Winterhawks was electric, posting monster numbers like 94 points in 69 games and then following it up with even more dominant seasons.

But like many high picks, the transition to the NHL hasn’t been seamless. From early years bouncing between the NHL and AHL with Vegas and Nashville, Glass struggled to find consistency. Still, there were signs: a strong 2022–23 campaign in Nashville with 35 points in 72 games showed that he could thrive in a bottom-six role.

After brief, underwhelming runs in both Nashville and Pittsburgh, the Devils took a flyer on Glass. And in New Jersey, something clicked.

🚨 A Devils Revival: Glass in Red and Black

In just 14 regular season games for the Devils, Glass posted 7 points, averaging half a point per game—a highly respectable output for a bottom-six forward. Beyond the box score, his advanced metrics stood out: he posted strong expected goals numbers, drove play well, and had excellent chemistry with linemates like Jesper Bratt, Daniel Sprong, and Erik Haula.

Statistically, Glass’ production rate soared to 3.74 points per 60 minutes at 5v5—by far the best stretch of his NHL career. This suggests that the Devils’ system, coaching, and linemates may be a better fit for his skillset than what he previously had in Vegas, Nashville, or Pittsburgh.

That said, the playoffs told a different story. Glass and the bottom six were virtually invisible against Carolina, and his 23.66% expected goals share across five games highlighted the struggles. But the entire roster underperformed in that series, so it’s tough to isolate that performance as a deal-breaker.

🔍 So, What Can the Devils Expect?

Let’s be clear: Cody Glass probably won’t be the star Vegas hoped he’d become. But that doesn’t mean he’s without value. He’s:

• Positionally versatile, able to play center and right wing.
• Strong in the faceoff circle (52.66% win rate).
• Physically capable, with over 50 hits in each of the past two seasons.
• Smart defensively, capable of anchoring a third or fourth line.

In a fully healthy lineup, Glass is the type of player who can give you 25–35 points, provide some defensive backbone, and maintain puck possession—all for a manageable salary.

For a team like New Jersey, which has been decimated by injuries the past two seasons and is facing tough cap decisions, value signings in the bottom six are essential. And Glass looks like a great candidate.

💰 The Cap Conundrum: Can the Devils Afford to Keep Him?

Here’s where it gets tricky. The Devils are in a tight cap situation, especially with big-ticket signings on the horizon like Luke Hughes, and potential buyouts looming (Ondrej Palat, among others, being a prime candidate).

According to projections, Glass could fetch around $2.9 million per year on a 3-year deal—a modest raise from his current $2.5 million AAV. It’s not a bank-breaking number, but it’s also not insignificant for a bottom-six forward on a cap-tight roster.

🔄 Comparables:

• Nicolas Roy (Vegas): $3 million AAV
• Lars Eller (Washington): $2.45 million AAV

Glass aligns most closely with Roy—a steady, defensively aware forward who chips in offensively. But Roy has a longer track record of consistency. That makes a 3-year, $2.8–$2.9M deal feel like a solid middle ground.

If Fitzgerald believes Glass’ Devils performance is repeatable and not just a hot streak, a deal like this could be a smart investment. But if he’s seen as a gamble, the Devils may instead opt to fill that role with a cheaper free agent or promote from within.

🤕 Injuries and Offseason Variables

As if the roster decisions weren’t difficult enough, injuries are forcing the Devils’ hand in multiple areas:

• Jesper Bratt: Shoulder surgery, expected to be ready for training camp.
• Brenden Dillon: Neck injury, out of the playoffs but should return by September.
• Johnathan Kovacevic: Knee surgery—could miss the start of the season.
• Nico Hischier: Lower-body injury sustained at the IIHF Worlds.

These injury concerns could elevate the importance of having reliable, flexible depth like Glass on the roster. He can slot in anywhere in the bottom six, play responsible minutes, and give the team a physical edge without being a liability.

🧠 And Don’t Forget: The Devils Just Got Smarter

Adding to the intrigue of this offseason is the Devils’ recent hire of a data scientist from the Seattle Mariners’ MLB analytics team. This signals a forward-thinking, analytics-driven approach to team building. If the data favors Glass’ style and chemistry with current Devils players, that could tip the scales in his favor.

📌 Check out more about the Devils’ front office moves here: Explore New Jersey – Devils Hire Data Scientist

🧩 The Final Verdict: Should Glass Stay?

Yes—but with conditions.

If Cody Glass is willing to sign for around $2.8–$3 million per year on a 2- to 3-year deal, it’s a reasonable investment. He fills a need, adds depth, and has already proven to be an effective piece in Lindy Ruff’s system.

But the Devils’ cap flexibility is razor-thin. If his price tag inches too high, or if Fitzgerald needs to make room for more pressing additions (or to extend core pieces), Glass may become the odd man out.

Still, if you’re looking for a low-risk, potentially high-reward signing who has already clicked with the system and teammates, Cody Glass could be a savvy piece in the Devils’ future puzzle.