September 6, 2026 • 3:02 AM EDT
Updated 1 hours ago
The Devils are heading into the 2026-27 season with a lineup that’s almost unrecognisable compared to recent years. With preseason just around the corner and four exhibition games on the slate before opening at home against the Flyers on October 1, you’re looking at a team that’s been retooled on every level.
General manager Sunny Mehta hasn’t wasted a minute in reshaping the Devils in his first offseason, making moves big and small to align the roster to the structured style demanded by head coach Sheldon Keefe. Most eye-catching was importing Luke Evangelista from Nashville in exchange for two draft picks, a clear message that this team fully intends to be tougher, faster, and smarter in the new campaign. According to Yahoo Sports, New Jersey’s front office isn’t settling for just a few tweaks.
Up front, the main story is a balanced group with playoff aspirations. Nico Hischier, fresh off his five-year extension, clicks perfectly between Timo Meier and Dawson Mercer. That’s a top line you can trust for both offense and accountability. Slide down to the second line and you’ve got new arrival Evangelista, whose playmaking and work rate make him a natural fit next to Jack Hughes and the ever-reliable Jesper Bratt. The Devils now have two lines that can drive play—and that’ll worry a lot of Eastern Conference rivals.
Don’t sleep on the bottom six. Anthony Mantha, coming off a career-best campaign, brings the kind of bite and timely scoring New Jersey lacked. Evan Rodrigues, who carved out a veteran role on Florida’s Cup-winning squads, also steps in—no surprise given his ties to Mehta. This gives Coach Keefe plenty of options to bump up minutes for younger contributors like Cody Glass and Arseny Gritsyuk, making this group deeper and tougher.
Forward depth battles should be fierce. Jesper Boqvist, part of the package from Florida for Jacob Markstrom, is jockeying for spot with Connor Brown, Stefan Noesen, and Nick Bjugstad. Add in the promising Lenni Hameenaho, and you’ve got intense competition right through camp—always a sign that a team is trending up.
- Key preseason moves include trading for Luke Evangelista and Jesper Boqvist, signing Anthony Mantha, and acquiring Evan Rodrigues.
- The top line features Meier, Mercer, and Hischier—untouched after last year’s chemistry.
- Goaltending has shifted, with Jake Allen in line for full-time starter duties and David Rittich set to battle Nico Daws for the backup job.
- On defense, Luke Hughes’ pairing could decide the blue line’s strength, especially with the exit of Simon Nemec.
- Strong emphasis on a mix of youth and veteran experience in the bottom six forwards.
- The club is keeping options open by embracing the modern trend of possibly carrying three goaltenders.
What New Jersey’s new faces mean
The biggest change, and what could define how the Devils stack up in 2026-27, comes from the sum of these roster tweaks. Evangelista isn’t just a plug-and-play guy—his ability to create space and win puck battles could unlock more opportunities for Hughes and Bratt. Mantha brings a veteran edge that should stop opposing teams from pushing the Devils around. And Rodrigues adds Cup-winning pedigree, giving the club much-needed depth and options for special teams.
How the defense pairs could set the tone
No area is more uncertain than the blue line. Luke Hughes will need the kind of partner who can give him the room to make things happen offensively. Brett Pesce or Jonathan Kovacevic fills that role best—last season proved those duos worked better than pairing Hughes with Brendan Dillon or the now-departed Simon Nemec. That pushes Dillon likely alongside Dougie Hamilton, freeing Hamilton to join the rush. Even Jonas Siegenthaler, who showed durability last season, helps deepen the unit. With Declan Chisholm now in the mix, you’ve got flexibility but also some question marks if injuries hit.
Goaltending shake-up leaves big questions
After trading Markstrom, all eyes are on Jake Allen. He’s been reliable in smaller doses, but jumping to a full-time starter’s role at 36 is a big ask. Still, 0.17 goals saved above expected last year shows he’s capable of stealing points. David Rittich’s strong numbers for the Islanders make him a fair bet to win the backup job, but keep an eye on Nico Daws, who’s finally got a crack at full-time duty after biding his time in the organization. Don’t be surprised to see both Rittich and Daws get starts—with teams often carrying three goalies, the battle isn’t over until at least November.
Key takeaways for bettors and fans
- The Devils’ top-six has real punch, with Hischier’s extension anchoring the first line and Evangelista set to drive the second.
- Mantha and Rodrigues aren’t just filler—they deepen the offense and add polish to the bottom six, which was a weak spot last year.
- Blue line pairings remain in flux, but look for Luke Hughes to have a bigger offensive role if he gets the right partner.
- The loss of Simon Nemec and addition of Chisholm changes the depth profile on defense.
- Jake Allen takes on major pressure; how he handles a bigger load for a playoff-hopeful team is a giant variable.
- Rittich is a solid second option in net; Daws is the wildcard if he takes the next step.
- This roster has more physicality and scoring than last year’s version, which could mean an uptick in wins if the chemistry comes together early.
- The competitive bottom six means internal battles will keep everyone sharp through the long season.
- Bettors should pay attention to how quickly the new lines gel—the Devils’ start could tell you everything about their playoff chances.
More coverage: latest NHL news, NHL betting hub and today’s NHL picks.
Related stories
21+ only. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. The content on this site is for entertainment purposes only. We may earn a commission from affiliate links.
Login 
