Devils season preview: Goaltending could pose biggest challenge

The 2026-27 NHL regular season begins Sept. 29. Leading up to the season opener, NHL.com is identifying six things to watch for each team. Today, the New Jersey Devils.

Last season: 42-37-3, seventh in Metropolitan Division; missed Stanley Cup Playoffs

Coach: Sheldon Keefe (third season)

Biggest challenge

The Devils enter the season without a proven long-term answer in goal. After trading Jacob Markstrom to the Florida Panthers, New Jersey is expected to rely on Jake Allen, Nico Daws and David Rittich. Allen brings valuable experience and should open the year as the starter, but at 36, he may not be suited to carry a heavy workload throughout the season. That makes Daws the key to the entire setup. The organization has remained patient with the young goaltender, believing inconsistent opportunities have slowed his development. He should now have a legitimate chance to show what he can do. Daws does not have to take over the crease, but demonstrate that he can provide steady, reliable starts alongside Allen. Rittich gives the Devils another experienced option, although he is more likely to serve as depth.

How they make playoffs

Improved health must be the foundation. That is especially true for Jack Hughes, whose availability dramatically affects the team's offensive ceiling. Hughes missed 21 games last season and 25 in 2024-25 (20 regular-season, five playoff games) following shoulder surgery. He has played more than 62 regular-season games only once (78 in 2022-23) since entering the NHL in 2019-20. The Devils also must produce more secondary scoring beyond Hughes, Nico Hischier and Jesper Bratt. Their middle-six forwards need to make opponents pay for focusing their best defensive players on New Jersey's stars. Timely offense from the defense and power play would also ease that burden.

Most intriguing addition

It'll be interesting to see if right wing Anthony Mantha, who signed a two-year, $9.5 million ($4.75 average annual value) contract July 15, can build upon last season. The 32-year-old (6-foot-5, 240 pounds) adds size, finishing ability and experience to a forward group that needs more scoring beyond its top players. Mantha is coming off a season when he had an NHL career high in points (64), goals (33) and assists (31) in 81 games with the Pittsburgh Penguins. His 33 goals would have led New Jersey last season. As a left-shot right wing, Mantha can complement the speed and playmaking of New Jersey's skilled centers while providing a strong net-front presence. He scored seven power-play goals last season and can use his size to create screens, win battles around the crease and finish chances near the net.

Biggest potential surprise

Luke Evangelista could emerge because his production may climb significantly in a faster, more talented offensive environment. The 24-year-old, acquired in a trade with the Nashville Predators on Sept. 1 for a conditional first-round pick and a second-round pick in the 2028 NHL Draft, established NHL career highs with 44 assists and 56 points in 81 games for the Predators last season, including 16 power-play assists. He's already a gifted playmaker, but his 12 goals indicate additional upside if he becomes more assertive as a shooter. Playing alongside finishers such as Hischier, Bratt, Jack Hughes or Timo Meier could maximize his vision and creativity. The right wing also addresses New Jersey’s need for secondary offense after it averaged only 2.76 goals per game last season, sixth lowest in the NHL.

Ready to contribute

Daws appears ready to assume his most significant NHL role after spending much of the past five seasons moving between New Jersey and Utica of the American Hockey League. The Markstrom trade has given Daws a legitimate opportunity to secure a full-time position for the first time in his career. The 25-year-old has 55 games (50 starts) of NHL experience over four seasons, with a 2.96 goals-against average and an .898 save percentage. Those numbers indicate room for improvement, but the Devils believe inconsistent opportunities have prevented him from establishing a rhythm and completing his development. Daws possesses the size (6-4, 205) and foundation needed to handle a larger workload. The two-year contract he signed on July 1 gives the organization additional time to evaluate whether he can become a dependable long-term option and develop into a reliable partner for Allen.

Fantasy sleeper with EDGE stats

Luke Hughes, D: He set NHL career highs in average ice time (23:01 per game; led Devils) and shots on goal (150) last season. The 23-year-old is a bounce-back candidate considering his shooting percentage (4.0) was the second lowest of any player to average at least 23:00 per game and with at least 150 shots on goal, ahead of only his brother Quinn (3.7 shooting percentage). Hughes could begin this season on the Devils’ first power-play unit; New Jersey ranked third in the League in power-play percentage over its final 20 games (29.8 percent from March 7 to April 17). Per NHL EDGE stats, Hughes ranked in the 97th percentile among defensemen in max skating speed (23.37 mph), 20-plus mph speed bursts (117) and mid-range shots on goal (49) last season. Hughes could have a career year across the board in fantasy while outperforming his average draft position (134.4). – Troy Perlowitz

Projected lineup

Timo Meier -- Nico Hischier -- Luke Evangelista

Jesper Bratt -- Jack Hughes -- Anthony Mantha

Arseny Gritsyuk -- Evan Rodrigues -- Dawson Mercer

Amadeus Lombardi -- Cody Glass--  -- Connor Brown

Luke Hughes -- Brett Pesce

Jonas Siegenthaler -- Dougie Hamilton

Brenden Dillon -- Johnathan Kovacevic

Jake Allen

Nico Daws