The puck finally drops for the 2025–26 New Jersey Devils tonight as they open the season on the road against the Carolina Hurricanes at 7:30 PM EDT. It’s a fitting curtain‑raiser to a campaign that has already stirred excitement among fans across New Jersey.
Tonight’s Matchup
- When & Where: Thursday, October 9, 2025 • at Carolina Hurricanes • 7:30 PM EDT
- Watch on: Hulu, ESPN+
What’s New This Season
Returning Players & Health Updates
Veteran defenseman Brett Pesce has returned to practice and is expected to suit up in tonight’s game, bolstering a blue line that needs consistency. Meanwhile, Jack Hughes is making his long-awaited comeback after suffering a season-ending shoulder injury in March 2025—his presence will be critical for the Devils’ offense.
Roster Moves & Additions
The Devils have put together their opening-night roster, featuring new faces like Connor Brown and Evgenii Dadonov, both signed in free agency. In a maneuver timed with the season start, they inked Luke Glendening to a one-year, $775,000 deal following his professional tryout. The team also exchanged Kurtis MacDermid for Zack MacEwen; after clearing waivers and being reassigned to the AHL, MacEwen was recalled this week.
Offensively, names like Nico Hischier and Jack Hughes are already being talked up in preseason rankings—some even earning spots in Bleacher Report’s Top 32 list for 2025–26.
On defense, Luke Hughes locked in a long-term extension on October 1: seven years for $63 million, sending a strong signal the organization views him as a cornerstone for years to come.
Injuries & Depth Concerns
The Devils begin the year shorthanded. Marc McLaughlin (undisclosed), Seamus Casey (lower body), Johnathan Kovacevic (knee), and Stefan Noesen (groin) are all sidelined on injury reserve or non-roster IR lists. The front office and coaching staff will need to navigate these early without key depth.
Preseason Recap
New Jersey closed out their exhibition slate with a 3–2–2 record. Among the standouts was Arseny Gritsyuk, who led the defense corps in scoring and helped sharpen late-season form just ahead of the opener.
One notable offseason departure is Michael McLeod, the former Devils forward who, after being acquitted of sexual assault charges, reportedly signed with Avangard Omsk of the KHL.
Prospect Daniil Orlov is also turning heads overseas, where his upward trajectory in Russia suggests the Devils’ development pipeline has more depth than results alone may show.
Front Office & Organizational Pulse
Owners & Philosophy
Owned by Josh Harris and David Blitzer under the Harris‑Blitzer Sports & Entertainment umbrella, the Devils have benefited from stability and a patient approach. Since acquiring the team in 2013, HBSE has largely let hockey operations run under the direction of GMs and hockey staff—intervening mainly when the franchise needed course correction.
One area where fans have raised concerns is the Prudential Center, HBSE’s home arena. Once a benchmark venue, it has shown signs of aging: competition for top-tier rankings, ice quality dips, and declining concession experiences have drawn criticism among the fanbase.
Leadership & Hockey Operations
Tom Fitzgerald, now serving as both General Manager and President of Hockey Operations, has been at the helm since 2020. Over his tenure he’s overseen a mix of trades, signings, draft investments, and staff changes designed to blend veteran leadership with youthful promise.
Assisting Fitzgerald are Dave MacKinnon and Kate Madigan, both of whom have ascended through internal ranks and now play major roles in roster construction, scouting, and analytics.
On the hockey operations side, Martin Brodeur holds the title of Executive VP of Hockey Operations, contributing veteran insight and depth to front office strategy. Chuck Fletcher and Andy Greene also lend their experience as advisors, with Fletcher’s previous GM experience and Greene’s longtime association with the franchise enhancing continuity and institutional knowledge.
Coaching Structure
Sheldon Keefe, now entering his second season behind the bench, remains the driving force of the on-ice product. He’s reshaped aspects of the coaching staff, most notably adding Brad Shaw as defensive assistant and bringing stability to defense-first systems. Jeremy Colliton continues his role as the offensive assistant, tasked with raising goal production. Sergei Brylin works especially with younger forwards to ease their transition. Dave Rogalski, Meghan Duggan, and Eric Weinrich round out the support staff—covering goaltending, player development, and mentorship.
Keefe’s style, fiery and uncompromising, sometimes courts controversy, but it comes from a place of ambition. His challenge: guiding this roster through growing pains while building a consistent identity.
What to Watch Tonight & Going Forward
- Can Jack Hughes return seamlessly and reclaim his role as a core offensive driver?
- Will the newly assembled roster—especially the free agent additions—deliver early chemistry?
- How will the Devils manage early injury challenges and maintain depth?
- Will the coaching direction of Keefe and his assistants translate into a more consistent power-forward offense?
- In the longer term: is this season the beginning of sustained contention or another stepping-stone toward it?
For New Jersey hockey fans, the anticipation is electric. The Devils are stepping into a season where every game will matter—where every stretch, injury, and adjustment could tilt the balance between aspiration and reality.
To learn more about the team’s history, prospects, and season updates, explore more on Explore New Jersey – New Jersey Devils.
Let’s go Devils.
