Hockey is back, New Jersey! With the 2025-26 NHL season schedule officially released, fans of the New Jersey Devils are buzzing with excitement—and a healthy dose of curiosity. After a rollercoaster 2024-25 season that saw early flashes of dominance followed by inconsistency down the stretch, expectations are sky-high (and cautiously realistic) heading into the new campaign.
Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just tuning in, this offseason has been anything but quiet in Devils country. From roster shakeups to long-term contracts, key injuries, and coaching changes, there’s a lot to unpack. So let’s dive into the latest Devils buzz and highlight the Top 10 must-watch games for the season ahead.
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🏒 Top 10 Must-Watch Devils Games for 2025-26
Every NHL schedule drop comes with immediate circle-the-calendar moments, and this season is no exception. Whether it’s high-stakes division matchups, revenge games, or big national TV appearances, Devils fans won’t want to miss these 10 matchups:
- Opening Night at Prudential Center – Always electric, this one sets the tone.
- Battle of the Hudson vs. Rangers – The fiercest rivalry in hockey gets renewed.
- Return to Boston – Connor Brown’s reunion with his old team.
- Devils vs. Sabres – A glimpse at potential playoff opponents.
- Devils @ Penguins – Crosby vs. Hughes, round who-knows-what.
- Holiday Clash vs. Islanders – December magic at The Rock.
- Outdoor Game at MetLife? – Rumored, but if it happens… must-see hockey.
- Late-Season Tilt vs. Hurricanes – Could decide division standings.
- Devils vs. Senators – Jake Allen faces his old team.
- Fan Appreciation Night – Could this be the year we clinch early?
🔁 Offseason Moves: Who’s In, Who’s Out?
This offseason brought a healthy mix of re-signings, new faces, and farewells. Here’s a quick look at the major moves:
✔️ Signed & Re-Signed:
- Jake Allen – Back in goal with a 5-year extension.
- Connor Brown – Veteran winger adds depth and grit.
- Evgenii Dadonov – Low-risk, high-upside signing on a 1-year deal.
- Thomas Bordeleau – A promising RFA signed to a 1-year, two-way deal.
- Angus Crookshank, Calen Addison, Dennis Cholowski, Marc McLaughlin – Depth signings to bolster the AHL and challenge for NHL time.
❌ Departures:
The team bid farewell to Curtis Lazar, Nathan Bastian, Daniel Sprong, and several others, including overseas departures like Santeri Hatakka and Tomas Tatar. Notably, Nolan Foote and Isaac Poulter became unrestricted free agents.
🔄 Trade Rumors and Roster Watch
The Devils enter the new season with a few lingering question marks—some of them big ones:
🧠 Dougie Hamilton Trade Buzz
Veteran defenseman Dougie Hamilton has found his name in trade rumors thanks to a newly modified 10-team no-trade clause. With younger defensemen like Simon Nemec and Seamus Casey knocking at the door and Johnathan Kovacevic dealing with injury, the timing is… complicated.
Frankly, trading Dougie now would be a mistake. His underlying metrics still show he’s a major asset, both offensively and in driving play. Losing him could expose a defensive group already tested by injuries and inexperience. Kovacevic’s status remains unclear, with signs pointing to a potential long-term absence.
🧪 Young Guns: Ready or Not?
Nemec and Casey are talented but still developing. While they showed flashes of brilliance, both had poor possession numbers during 5v5 play, even when sheltered with offensive zone starts. Growing pains are part of the process, but this team can’t afford to rely solely on promise. Development must be balanced with stability—and that’s where Dougie’s presence matters.
💬 Mercer & Palat Trade Talk
Forwards Dawson Mercer and Ondrej Palat have also been floated in trade chatter, possibly to free up cap space or bring in missing pieces. But their chemistry and role on the team may be too valuable to risk unless the return is substantial.
🩺 Injury Report: Hughes & Kovacevic
- Jack Hughes underwent successful offseason shoulder surgery and is expected to be ready for training camp. That’s huge news.
- Kovacevic, however, is a mystery. If it’s a torn ACL or similar, we might not see him until early 2026. The Devils’ depth on the blue line will be tested early and often.
📣 Coaching & Broadcast Updates
Big changes off the ice too:
- Pat Maroon, former Devils forward, has joined the USHL coaching ranks, helping develop the next generation.
- Don La Greca replaces Bill Spaulding as the Devils’ new play-by-play announcer, bringing fresh energy to the booth.
📈 Looking Ahead: Playoff Hopes or Growing Pains?
The Devils have talent. The Hughes brothers are becoming household names, Timo Meier is still a force, and the goaltending situation, while not elite, is at least steady. But this season is about consistency.
Will this be the year the Devils finally put it all together and make a deep playoff push? Or will inexperience and injuries derail things again?
One thing is certain: this team is exciting, unpredictable, and absolutely worth watching.
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🏁 Final Word
New Jersey hockey is entering a new era. The Devils have built a core that’s young, dynamic, and hungry—but they’ll need every ounce of grit, depth, and strategy to climb the ranks in a stacked Eastern Conference. From Luke Hughes’ contract talks to Dougie Hamilton’s uncertain future, and from preseason surprises to playoff dreams, it’s shaping up to be a fascinating year.
Stick with Explore New Jersey all season long for insider updates, fan stories, and everything you need to stay in the loop.
