The New Jersey Devils accomplished what they said they wanted to accomplish this summer. All but one task, which we will talk about later. However, there are still certainly questions heading into September about the roster.
READ MORE: Burning Devils Questions Heading into 2025-26: More Extensions Coming?
There were a few unspoken tasks by the front office that have yet to be addressed, although they probably should have been.
Coming into 2025-26, the Devils are looking to take a step from playoff to championship contender. Yet, there are a few things that can hold them back from doing so.
We’re tapping into the Devils’ Concern-o-Meter to measure just how concerning some factors—as of today—are.
No trades
Concern-o-Meter: 8/10
The only reason why this isn’t a 10/10 is because the Devils did address the bottom-six in free agency, which should lead to more goals throughout the lineup.
However, the top-six certainly needs an addition, and the glaring void at third line center is very real.
Unless the Devils are going to scoop Jack Roslovic up—one of the few viable free agents left—their only hope to add is through trade.
The Tyler Toffoli void has existed for 17 months now. And the Devils’ best option at 3C is Dawson Mercer, who has yet to play center in the big leagues on a nightly basis.
These are big gambles heading into 2025-26 for a team looking to take the next step.
Health
Concern-o-Meter: 9/10
If the concern grows later to a 10/10, it’s because the Devils’ health trends toward looking like it did in 2023-24.
Right now, the main concern is Jack Hughes. He’s going to be ready for training camp, but two off-seasons in a row with the same shoulder surgery isn’t ideal, nor are three shoulder surgeries overall, all of which he’s had.
The Devils go as Jack Hughes goes. Everyone can see he has the talent to be a top-5 player in the NHL. He just needs to stay on the ice for a full season, and there’s certainly doubt he can at this point.
As for the rest of the Devils, they’re already starting the season without Johnathan Kovacevic. The blueline has enough depth to withstand that absence, but it’s still a big minus without one of their more reliable defenders last season.
And let’s not forget the shoulder surgeries Jesper Bratt and Luke Hughes had this off-season as well, plus the neck injury Brenden Dillon suffered last playoffs. All are expected to be fully recovered for training camp, but playing catch up recovering from injury as opposed to building strength and conditioning could see them slow out of the gate.
Aging Goaltending
Concern-o-Meter: 3/10
Make no mistake, the Devils’ goaltending the best it has been in a long time.
Jacob Markstrom and Jake Allen present the best goaltending situation they’ve had since Cory Schneider left. In fact, their bodies of work last season both together and individually prove the Devils’ current stability in goal.
However, both goaltenders are on the wrong side of 35 years old. Goaltenders typically age well, which is likely why Allen received a five-year extension this summer. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Markstrom extended, either.
Yet, there’s still a chance for regression at both of their ages. It’s a mild concern, but shouldn’t be much of an issue, especially with the ability to split starts and conserve energy as much as possible.
The Blueline
Concern-o-Meter: 5.5/10
It’s a fact that the Devils gave up less goals last year than they did in the season prior. GM Tom Fitzgerald transformed the goaltending and the blueline last summer, and with the addition of Sheldon Keefe behind the bench, the Devils saw fewer pucks cross their goal line.
It’s a chicken and the egg situation, however. Was that the result of the defending, or stronger goaltending?
Kovacevic’s injury looms large here. He and Jonas Siegenthaler made up one of the best defensive duos in the NHL. Now that one half of that pairing won’t start the season as he recovers from knee surgery, there’s no guarantee they can replicate the defensive output they registered together last season.
Add an aging Dougie Hamilton, Dillon’s recovery in addition to some of his on-ice struggles, no guarantees that Luke Hughes takes another step, and some unproven bubble NHLers in Simon Nemec and Seamus Casey, and there are a lot of question marks about the defense despite the depth.
This could quickly absolve itself if Luke puts it all together and continues his trajectory toward a No.1 defenseman, and Nemec rides that wave of confidence he found late last season. However, those are big IFS.
Luke Hughes, Unsigned
Concern-o-Meter: 3/10
Plus, do we really have to talk about this again?
At this point, it’s still not overly concerning. There’s still three and a half weeks before anyone has to report to camp. That’s plenty of time to put pen-to-paper.
However, the longer this goes, obviously the worse it looks.
Luke Hughes is Fitzgerald’s self-proclaimed No.1 priority. That was stated on July 2nd.
We’re now nearing the end of August, and it’s radio silence on that front. The good news is he’s a restricted free agent with no eligibility for an offer sheet. He’s Devils property, and he certainly will not be traded.
We haven’t seen a holdout in a long time, unless you count the one-day Dawson Mercer missed in training camp last season. I’m still not concerned this won’t get done on time, but the concern certainly grows the closer we get to September.
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