When it comes to New Jersey hockey, expectations are sky-high — and rightfully so. The Devils, an iconic franchise with a passionate fanbase, have been playoff contenders in two of the past three seasons. Yet, something’s been missing. Their early playoff exits — most recently at the hands of the powerhouse Carolina Hurricanes — have left fans hungry for more. Now, after an offseason of strategic changes, the New Jersey Devils land at No. 12 in The Hockey News’ Summer Splash Rankings — and for good reason.
Let’s dive into what’s new, what’s gone, and why the Devils are primed for a quiet but calculated comeback.
🔥 Offseason Additions: Building a Smarter Bottom Six
Additions:
- Connor Brown (RW)
- Evgenii Dadonov (LW)
- Juho Lammikko (LW)
- Thomas Bordeleau (LW)
- Arseniy Gritsyuk (LW)
While the Devils didn’t overhaul their roster, GM Tom Fitzgerald focused on what mattered most: depth. The most notable signings are Connor Brown and Evgenii Dadonov, both savvy acquisitions that bring experience, grit, and production at an incredible value — just $4 million combined against the salary cap.
Brown is coming off a standout postseason with Edmonton, while Dadonov quietly put up a 20-goal, 40-point campaign in Dallas. These aren’t flashy additions — they’re smart ones. The kind of pieces that can anchor a second or third line and give New Jersey the depth it lacked when the pressure was on.
Also worth mentioning: Jake Allen chose to re-sign at a team-friendly $1.8 million cap hit. The veteran goaltender showed strong chemistry with starter Jacob Markstrom last season. His return speaks volumes — he believes in what this team is building.
🧠 Key takeaway: These offseason moves don’t scream “blockbuster,” but they make the Devils more stable, deeper, and better prepared for the grind of an 82-game season.
🚪 Departures: Saying Goodbye to Familiar Faces
Departures:
- Erik Haula (LW)
- Tomas Tatar (LW)
- Curtis Lazar (C)
- Daniel Sprong (LW)
- Nathan Bastian (RW)
- Justin Dowling (C)
- Brian Dumoulin (D)
- Nolan Foote (D)
The Devils parted ways with a handful of familiar names — most of them bottom-six forwards and role players. Tomas Tatar left for Europe. Daniel Sprong and Curtis Lazar moved on. But none of these exits are devastating to the team’s identity or potential.
The biggest name here is Brian Dumoulin, who never quite found his fit in New Jersey’s defense corps after arriving at the trade deadline. Still, with one of the deepest blue lines in the NHL, the Devils won’t struggle to fill that gap.
What makes this offseason even more intriguing? Fitzgerald still has $6.1 million in cap space. Translation: More moves could be coming before or at the trade deadline. Keep your eye on this front office — they’re far from done.
🧊 The Bottom Line: A Better, Smarter Devils Team
New Jersey’s offseason wasn’t about headline-grabbing trades or mega contracts. It was about tweaking the formula — improving the bottom six, keeping key veterans, and positioning the team for sustained success.
Make no mistake, the pressure is real. Jack Hughes, Luke Hughes, Nico Hischier, Jesper Bratt, and Timo Meier form one of the most exciting young cores in the league. But expectations come with the territory. The Devils aren’t rebuilding — they’re retooling, and the clock is ticking.
Are they ready for a deeper playoff run? Time will tell. But they’re better today than they were in April, and that’s enough to land them in the Top 12 of the Summer Splash Rankings.
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🧭 Summer Splash Rankings (So Far)
- New Jersey Devils
- St. Louis Blues
- Pittsburgh Penguins
- Colorado Avalanche
- Ottawa Senators
- Boston Bruins
- Edmonton Oilers
- Minnesota Wild
- Seattle Kraken
- Columbus Blue Jackets
- Washington Capitals
- Nashville Predators
- New York Islanders
- Tampa Bay Lightning
- Toronto Maple Leafs
- Dallas Stars
- Calgary Flames
- Los Angeles Kings
- Winnipeg Jets
- Chicago Blackhawks
- Buffalo Sabres
🏒 Final Thoughts
The New Jersey Devils are a team on the edge — of greatness, of frustration, or maybe both. They’ve made smart, subtle upgrades that don’t guarantee a Stanley Cup but do improve their odds of staying in the playoff picture and possibly going further than they have in recent years.
One thing’s for sure: The Devils won’t be standing still. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or a casual observer, this season promises to be one worth watching.
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