After a rollercoaster 2024-25 campaign that ended in playoff disappointment, it’s understandable that some New Jersey Devils fans are heading into the new season with cautious optimism—or even skepticism. But while some might focus on what the team didn’t do this summer, there are still plenty of reasons to believe the 2025-26 season could be a major step forward.
Despite the narrative of an underwhelming offseason, the Devils are still considered one of the most dangerous teams in the Eastern Conference. Sportsbooks list them among the top eight teams in Stanley Cup odds, and there’s strong consensus across traditional analysts and the hockey analytics community: this team is built to contend.
So before writing off the Devils, let’s take a closer look at why there’s real reason to believe this could be a bounce-back year in Newark.
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1. A Roster Full of Rising Stars
When it comes to pure upside, few teams in the NHL can match the young core of the Devils.
- Jack Hughes is just 24 and still getting better. With elite skating, puck control, and a growing two-way game, it’s not outrageous to think he could flirt with a 100+ point season if healthy.
- Nico Hischier, now 26, has evolved into one of the best two-way forwards in the league and is as reliable in the D-zone as he is in the faceoff circle.
- Jesper Bratt continues to improve year over year, producing at a near point-per-game clip while playing in all situations.
- Luke Hughes, Simon Nemec, and Seamus Casey represent the future of the blue line—and that future could become the present as soon as this year.
Development isn’t always linear, but the Devils’ key players are all at ages where improvement is expected. Some—like Bratt and Hischier—are approaching their prime. Others—like Nemec and Casey—are just starting to scratch the surface of their NHL potential.
In other words, this team hasn’t peaked yet.
2. A Full Season Under Sheldon Keefe
2025-26 marks the first full 82-game season under head coach Sheldon Keefe, and that continuity matters more than you might think.
Last season, the Devils had to adapt to a new system on the fly. Add in a compressed early schedule and several key injuries, and it’s no surprise things didn’t always click.
But Keefe has a track record of success—just look at what he did in Toronto. His offensive system is designed to maximize high-end talent, and the Devils are built for exactly that. Now that players have a full year under his system, expect more cohesion, smarter play in key moments, and improved team defense.
More importantly, the team’s core pieces are returning. The Devils bring back their top-six forwards, their top four defensemen, and their goaltending tandem. With greater familiarity and stability, expectations should be higher—on the ice and in the locker room.
3. A Return to Health (We Hope)
Let’s be honest: injuries derailed the Devils’ season last year.
- Jack Hughes missed significant time.
- Dougie Hamilton and Jonas Siegenthaler barely made it back in time for the postseason.
- The blue line was decimated in the playoffs, losing Luke Hughes, Brenden Dillon, and Jonathan Kovacevic.
- Even Cody Glass went down in bizarre fashion.
All told, the Devils lost more man-games to injury than nearly any other playoff team. And while no team can count on perfect health, the odds of a repeat stretch of bad luck seem low. A healthier lineup—especially on defense—would make a massive difference.
4. Metro Rivals Didn’t Get Much Better
Outside of Carolina, no Metropolitan Division team made major upgrades this offseason.
- The Capitals had a magical regular season, but leaned heavily on aging players and unsustainable shooting percentages.
- The Rangers have a new coach in Mike Sullivan, but still face major questions on defense and depth scoring.
- The Flyers, Penguins, and Islanders are all in various stages of rebuild, retool, or regression.
- Columbus is young and intriguing, but far from a serious threat—yet.
Meanwhile, the Devils have a solid foundation, continuity at key positions, and a roster capable of putting up points in bunches. That’s not just wishful thinking—oddsmakers have the Devils as the second-most likely team to win the Metro, trailing only the Hurricanes.
Unless something drastic happens, New Jersey is very much in the playoff mix—and could challenge for the top spot if the roster stays healthy.
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5. The Grit Factor is Rising
Critics have long said the Devils lack “toughness,” especially in the playoffs. But this year’s roster has a different edge.
New additions like Connor Brown, Evgenii Dadonov, and Arseni Gritsyuk might not be household names, but they bring versatility and work ethic to the bottom six. That’s a part of the lineup that struggled last year and could quietly be one of the biggest areas of improvement.
Additionally, players like Luke Hughes and Simon Nemec are another year older, stronger, and more experienced. If they can bring more consistency and confidence in puck battles and defensive zone coverage, the entire team benefits.
Time to Trust the Process
There’s no denying the Devils have more to prove. Last season left a sour taste for a reason. But that doesn’t mean the sky is falling.
New Jersey remains one of the most talented young teams in the NHL. Their top players are entering their primes. Their defense and goaltending have stability. And they’ve got a full offseason under a proven head coach.
Will they make a deep playoff run? That depends on health, consistency, and a bit of luck. But should Devils fans feel hopeful about 2025-26?
Absolutely.
So grab your jersey, charge up the hype, and get ready—because if things click, this could be the year the Devils take the next big step.
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