New Jersey Devils Offseason Update: Contract Talks, Injuries, Hall of Fame Honors, and National Spotlight
The New Jersey Devils have no shortage of storylines this offseason as contract negotiations, roster moves, injuries, and national broadcast news all converge ahead of the 2025–26 NHL season. Fans across the Garden State will have plenty to watch as management makes key decisions while the team prepares for training camp later this fall.
One of the most closely followed topics centers on defenseman Luke Hughes. Negotiations for a contract extension remain ongoing, with Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald expressing confidence a deal will be reached. Hughes is reportedly seeking a five-year term, a length the team has shown some hesitation about committing to. The outcome of these talks will be pivotal for the franchise, as Hughes has quickly become a cornerstone on the Devils’ blue line.
Elsewhere, the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame announced its 2025 class of inductees, which includes two former Devils stars: Scott Gomez and Zach Parise. Both players made lasting contributions to the organization and left a strong legacy with fans in New Jersey. Their induction underscores the Devils’ influence on American hockey and further ties the team to the sport’s national history.
The NHL also introduced immediate changes to collective bargaining agreement and long-term injured reserve rules. The adjustments, which alter how LTIR relief is calculated for players expected to return in the same season or playoffs, could impact how teams like the Devils manage their rosters and salary cap flexibility throughout the year.
In terms of roster updates, New Jersey has been active. Forward Thomas Bordeleau signed a one-year, two-way contract, while defenseman Reilly Walsh chose to continue his career overseas in the KHL. Veteran forward Evgenii Dadonov joined the Devils on a one-year, $1.0 million deal after posting a 40-point season in Dallas. The team also secured 2019 draft pick Arseni Gritsyuk and made a cap-clearing trade by sending Erik Haula to Nashville in exchange for a draft pick. These moves reflect Fitzgerald’s strategy to balance immediate depth with long-term flexibility.
Injury management remains another major concern. Luke Hughes, Jesper Bratt, and Jack Hughes all underwent shoulder surgery in May, with the expectation they will be ready for training camp, though Jack Hughes remains on long-term injured reserve. Defenseman Johnathan Kovacevic is dealing with a knee injury that may require surgery, putting his availability for the start of the season in question. Brenden Dillon, who suffered a neck injury during the playoffs, is expected to have a normal offseason, while captain Nico Hischier is listed as day-to-day with a lower-body injury sustained during international play at the 2025 IIHF World Championship.
Amidst roster challenges and negotiations, speculation surrounding Quinn Hughes has also surfaced following recent comments about his future. While trade rumors have circulated, insiders suggest a move involving the Vancouver defenseman is unlikely in the immediate future.
Looking ahead, the Devils will face the New York Rangers in their first preseason matchup on Sunday, September 21 at 5:00 p.m., a rivalry clash that always draws attention from both sides of the Hudson.
The team will also once again be in the national spotlight this year. The Walt Disney Company and TNT have announced their 2025–26 national broadcast schedules, with the Devils featured in 13 exclusive games, the maximum allowed per team. The slate includes marquee matchups against the Rangers, Maple Leafs, and Bruins, as well as high-profile broadcasts on ABC, TNT, ESPN, and ESPN+/Hulu. These nationally televised contests highlight the Devils’ growing prominence as one of the NHL’s most exciting young teams.
As Devils fans prepare for another thrilling season, the blend of contract negotiations, roster changes, Hall of Fame recognition, and national exposure underscores just how significant this offseason is for the franchise.
The New Jersey Devils enter the 2025–26 season with high expectations but plenty of unanswered questions. After finishing third in the Metropolitan Division and bowing out in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the organization is under pressure to prove last year’s shortcomings were an anomaly. While the front office has been busy reshaping the forward group this summer, the defense remains largely intact, raising the question: is it time for a shuffle on the blue line?
Contract talks with Luke Hughes have been one of the biggest offseason storylines. The young defenseman has emerged as a key building block, and general manager Tom Fitzgerald has expressed optimism about securing an extension. However, reports suggest Hughes is seeking a five-year term, a length the Devils may be hesitant to commit to. With Hughes expected to be a cornerstone of the defense for years to come, how his contract situation plays out could impact both roster flexibility and pairings going forward.
Beyond Hughes, the Devils’ defense corps looks very similar to last season. Brett Pesce, Dougie Hamilton, Brenden Dillon, Jonas Siegenthaler, and Simon Nemec round out a group that has the potential to be effective but struggled with consistency in 2024–25. Injuries played a role—Hughes, Jesper Bratt, and Jack Hughes all underwent shoulder surgery in May, while Johnathan Kovacevic may miss the start of the new season due to knee issues—but with most players expected back for training camp, the Devils have decisions to make about how to deploy their six regular defensemen.
Last season, Hughes and Pesce formed the top pair, logging the heaviest minutes on the roster. Hamilton was often paired with Dillon, while Siegenthaler and Kovacevic saw regular time together. Statistically, Hughes and Pesce shouldered the most responsibility but were among the few defenders who finished with negative plus/minus ratings. While that stat alone doesn’t define their value, it raises questions about whether the Devils are maximizing their talent.
Could a reshuffling of pairs make the difference? Some analysts suggest experimenting with Siegenthaler alongside Hamilton, giving the Devils a more balanced top unit of offensive firepower and defensive reliability. That could shift Hughes back with Pesce, reducing pressure and allowing them to focus more on transition play. Dillon, meanwhile, could slot in with Nemec, giving the young Slovak defenseman a steadying veteran partner as he continues to develop his two-way game.
The alternative is to leave the pairs largely as they were and bet on health and chemistry to drive improvement. But with New Jersey’s competitive window wide open, the margin for error is shrinking. Fans and analysts alike are questioning whether head coach Sheldon Keefe will take risks with lineup decisions or stick to last year’s blueprint.
Roster moves this offseason also play into the conversation. The Devils added forward depth with the signing of Evgenii Dadonov and secured prospect Arseni Gritsyuk, while Erik Haula was traded to Nashville in a cap-clearing move. Defenseman Reilly Walsh departed for the KHL, thinning organizational depth on the back end. With limited options beyond the current top six, younger prospects such as Topias Vilén, Jeremy Hanzel, or Ethan Edwards could be called upon sooner than expected if injuries pile up.
Meanwhile, the Devils continue to draw national attention. The NHL recently announced its 2025–26 broadcast schedule, with New Jersey once again hitting the maximum of 13 exclusive national games. Matchups against rivals like the New York Rangers, Boston Bruins, and Toronto Maple Leafs will showcase the Devils’ star power on the biggest stage. The team opens preseason play against the Rangers on September 21 at 5:00 p.m., a rivalry clash that will offer an early glimpse at potential defensive pairings.
The defense may not have been the Devils’ biggest weakness last season, but improvement in that area could be the difference between another first-round exit and a deep playoff run. With Luke Hughes’ extension looming, Kovacevic’s injury status uncertain, and a new season on the horizon, New Jersey faces critical decisions about how to structure its blue line. Fans across the Garden State will be watching closely, and for those who follow every detail of the Devils’ journey, Explore New Jersey’s Devils coverage will continue to deliver the latest updates.
