Get ready, New Jersey! The path to a championship just got a whole lot clearer with the highly anticipated release of the New Jersey Devils’ 2025-26 schedule. Fans can mark their calendars for a thrilling season, highlighted by an explosive home opener that will undoubtedly set the tone for what promises to be an unforgettable year at Prudential Center.
The Devils are kicking off their home schedule with a bang on October 16, as they welcome the defending Stanley Cup Champion Florida Panthers to Newark. Just two days later, on October 18, the two-time reigning Western Conference Champion Edmonton Oilers, led by the incomparable Connor McDavid, will skate into The Rock. This is just the beginning of a schedule packed with must-see matchups!
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The anticipation is building here in New Jersey, and the wait is finally over! The New Jersey Devils have officially unveiled their full schedule for the 2025-26 NHL season, giving fans a clear roadmap for what promises to be an exhilarating journey. From preseason clashes to the highly-anticipated home opener and key dates throughout the year, there’s plenty for Devils fans to get excited about.
Preseason Puck Drop and Prospects on Display
Before the regular season even begins, the Devils will hit the ice for a series of exhibition games designed to get the team in prime form. The 2025 Devils Preseason Schedule features exciting matchups that will give us a first look at the squad under new head coach Sheldon Keefe. These games are invaluable for integrating new players, solidifying lines, and getting everyone up to game speed.
Adding to the early excitement, the Devils’ future stars will be showcased at the 2025 Prospects Challenge. This annual tournament, typically held in mid-September in Buffalo, New York, brings together top prospects from several NHL organizations. It’s a fantastic opportunity to see the next generation of Devils talent in action, providing a glimpse into the bright future of the franchise. Keep an eye out for potential breakout performances from the young guns!
Key Dates to Circle on Your Calendar
The regular season kicks off for the Devils with a three-game road trip, starting on Thursday, October 9th, against the Carolina Hurricanes. This early test will set the tone for the season. But the real buzz for local fans starts with the Devils’ highly anticipated Home Opener on Thursday, October 16th, as they welcome the defending Stanley Cup Champion Florida Panthers to Prudential Center. The excitement doesn’t stop there, as just two days later, on Saturday, October 18th, the two-time defending Western Conference Champion Edmonton Oilers, featuring superstar Connor McDavid, will make their way to The Rock for a thrilling matinee matchup.
Beyond the opening week, there are plenty of other significant dates to highlight. The schedule includes a long homestand in early March, where the Devils will host seven consecutive games from March 3rd to March 16th, facing off against tough opponents like Florida, Toronto, the New York Rangers, and Boston. This stretch will be crucial for building momentum. Fans can also look forward to holiday action, with a Thanksgiving Eve game on Wednesday, November 26th, against St. Louis, and games bookending the NHL Holiday Break in late December. Don’t forget the exciting “Hughes Bowl” on December 14th when the Devils host Vancouver, or the three anticipated matchups against fierce rivals, the New York Rangers, the first of which isn’t until March 7th at home.
It’s also worth noting that the NHL season will pause from Friday, February 6th, to February 22nd, as many of the league’s top players will participate in the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milano Cortina, Italy. This Olympic break will be a chance for some Devils to represent their home countries on the world stage, while others will get a well-deserved rest. The regular season concludes on Tuesday, April 14th, on the road in Boston, with the final home game at Prudential Center on Sunday, April 12th, against Ottawa.
For a complete breakdown of all the crucial dates and matchups, be sure to check out the official schedule. You can always dive deeper into all things New Jersey Devils at Explore New Jersey’s Devils Hub.
Beyond the Rink: Community and Connection
The Devils organization is more than just a hockey team; it’s an integral part of the New Jersey community. You may have recently seen how “NJ Helps” with the Devils’ Schedule Release, showcasing the team’s commitment to engaging with and giving back to its loyal fanbase. This community spirit extends to fostering the next generation of hockey players, as exemplified by the “Sirens Pick Meets Jersey Girls Hockey Club” event, which highlights the growing excitement for women’s hockey in the state and the Devils’ dedication to supporting its development.
The passion for hockey within the Devils family also runs deep, as evidenced by head coach Sheldon Keefe’s recent trip to Belfast to celebrate his brother, Adam Keefe. Adam, a beloved figure in the Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL) for the Belfast Giants, had his No. 47 jersey retired in a special ceremony. Sheldon and their father were both on hand to witness this emotional tribute to Adam, who is now the head coach of the Giants. It was a poignant moment, celebrating a family deeply rooted in the sport, even as their professional paths have taken them to different corners of the hockey world.
With the schedule now in hand, the excitement for the 2025-26 New Jersey Devils season is palpable. From the thrilling home games to the development of future stars and the strong community ties, there’s truly something for every fan to embrace. Get ready to cheer on the Devils as they chase their championship dreams!
A Glimpse into the Future: Sigge Holmgren’s Draft Surprise
In other exciting news from the Devils’ world, the 2025 NHL Draft saw the team take a calculated risk that appears to be paying off. When Swedish offensive defenseman Sigge Holmgren heard his name called by the New Jersey Devils in the sixth round, even he admitted to being surprised. Many hockey analysts had the 18-year-old completely unranked, with little information available on his background or playing style.
However, the Devils’ gamble on Holmgren was a shrewd move. Despite missing the entire 2024-25 season due to a dislocated shoulder that required surgery, Holmgren showed immense promise in his last healthy season (2023-24) with Brynäs IF, a top Swedish hockey club. He led all 2025-eligible defensemen in the Swedish U18 league with an impressive 16 points in 18 games, including six goals. His performance at Development Camp, where he showcased shifty offensive ability, an above-average shot, and even scored a clutch shootout goal, has only reinforced the Devils’ belief in his potential. Described as a “puck-moving defenseman” who thrives on the rush, Holmgren’s trajectory mirrors that of another successful Devils’ sixth-round pick, Jesper Bratt. With his shoulder now fully recovered, Holmgren represents a potentially hidden gem for the Devils’ future defensive corps, a testament to the team’s commitment to building from within.
The Goaltending Conundrum: Jacob Markstrom’s Future in Focus
While the future looks bright with prospects like Holmgren, a more immediate and pressing question surrounds the Devils’ crease: what to do with goaltender Jacob Markstrom? Acquired from the Calgary Flames prior to the 2024-25 season to finally address the team’s long-standing goaltending struggles, Markstrom is now entering a crucial contract year.
His first season in New Jersey was, by most accounts, a solid one. Markstrom posted a .900 save percentage and saved 3.4 goals above expected over 49 games. He was particularly strong on high-danger shots, ranking fourth in the NHL among goaltenders with 30 or more appearances. There were certainly moments of brilliance, where Markstrom single-handedly kept the Devils in games with incredible saves. Yet, there were also frustrating instances of “soft goals” that left fans and management alike scratching their heads, as evidenced by his .959 low-danger unblocked shot attempt save percentage, ranking 39th in the league. Despite these fluctuations, it’s clear that the Devils’ management, including Tom Fitzgerald and Sheldon Keefe, were largely content with his inaugural campaign.
The Devils knew Markstrom’s acquisition might be a short-term solution, given his age (mid-30s) and two years remaining on his previous contract. Now, as he enters his contract year, the question of an extension looms large.
The Case For Extending Markstrom:
Markstrom, a 15-year NHL veteran, will be 36 years old when a potential extension would begin. While age is a factor, history shows that elite goaltenders can play effectively into their late 30s. Legends like Martin Brodeur, Marc-Andre Fleury, Dominik Hasek, Patrick Roy, Tim Thomas, and even Sergei Bobrovsky (who just led the Panthers to a Stanley Cup at age 36) have defied age expectations, maintaining high levels of play. Modern sports medicine and athlete conditioning also suggest that players can prolong their careers more effectively than ever before. Markstrom’s performance last season showed no significant signs of a sudden decline.
Furthermore, while the Devils have promising goaltending prospects like Mikhail Yegorov (a 2024 second-round pick), he’s still several years away from being NHL-ready. Yegorov is committed to another season at Boston University, and will likely need time in the AHL with Utica before making the jump to the NHL. With backup goaltender Jake Allen recently signing a five-year extension, some might see a crowded crease, but Allen’s deal, which becomes a 10-team no-trade clause after two years and carries a favorable AAV, offers future flexibility. A Markstrom-Allen tandem provides immediate stability and allows Yegorov, Nico Daws, and Jakub Malek the necessary time to develop.
The Case Against Extending Markstrom:
The primary concern revolves around Markstrom’s occasional tendency to surrender “soft goals.” While he excels at stopping high-danger chances, his low-danger save percentage has been less consistent. Over the past two seasons, he’s been at .959 and .960 in this area, which, while seemingly minor, can accumulate over a full season. Improvement in this specific area at his age is unlikely.
Additionally, despite advancements in sports medicine, Markstrom did miss a significant portion of last season due to injury. While not directly related to age, the risk of injury naturally increases. Any new contract for Markstrom would likely fall under the NHL’s “35+ contract” rules. These rules carry significant nuances regarding cap hits and can make it incredibly difficult to move such a contract down the road, even if the player retires or is bought out. This is a key difference from Jake Allen’s recent extension, which avoids these stricter provisions because Allen was under 35 when he signed.
The projected market for elite goaltenders is also a consideration. While the salary cap is expected to rise, comparable contracts for franchise goaltenders like Thatcher Demko, Linus Ullmark, Jeremy Swayman, Juuse Saros, and Ilya Sorokin, all in the $7.74M-$8.5M AAV range, are for younger players with more significant term. AFP Analytics projects Markstrom’s next deal at 2 years, $5.5M AAV, a slight pay cut from his current $6M. However, it would be a bigger cap hit for the Devils as Calgary currently retains a portion of his salary. It’s uncertain if Markstrom would accept a pay cut given the rising cap. Furthermore, a competitive free-agent market featuring goaltenders like Sergei Bobrovsky, Filip Gustavsson, Stuart Skinner, and Anthony Stolarz offers alternative options for the Devils.
Ultimately, while Markstrom provides valuable stability and has proven he can perform at a high level, the Devils’ management, particularly General Manager Tom Fitzgerald, will need to carefully weigh the risks associated with his age, injury history, and the potential inflexibility of a 35+ contract against the immediate need for reliable goaltending as they push for a Stanley Cup. The decision on Jacob Markstrom’s future will be one of the most critical moves for the New Jersey Devils in the coming months.
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