3 Reasons the Devils Should Be Optimistic About the 2026-27 Season

The New Jersey Devils enter the 2026-27 season in a much different position than they were just a few months ago. Following a disappointing campaign that fell short of expectations, the organization responded with several changes.

The biggest move came in the front office, where Sunny Mehta took over as general manager (GM). Since arriving, Mehta has wasted little time reshaping the roster, locking up core players, and addressing areas that had frustrated fans for years. While there are still questions that will only be answered once the puck drops in October, there are legitimate reasons to be optimistic about the Devils.

From a revamped front office to impactful additions and a core that is now secured for years to come, New Jersey appears to have a clearer direction than it did at the end of last season.

Mehta Has Already Changed the Direction of the Organization

Perhaps the biggest reason for optimism isn’t a player at all—it’s the person making the decisions.

When Mehta was hired as new GM in April, many fans hoped the Devils would finally become more proactive instead of reactive. Just weeks into his tenure, Mehta has already shown a willingness to make difficult decisions that are necessary in his role.

One of the clearest examples came in goal. Goaltending was one of New Jersey’s biggest issues throughout last season, and it had become an increasingly common topic among fans. Rather than hoping things would improve internally, Mehta addressed the position by trading Jacob Markstrom and bringing in veteran David Rittich while also expressing confidence in Nico Daws’ ability to compete for NHL minutes.

Whether Daws begins the season as Jake Allen’s backup or not, the Devils have made significant changes in net, hoping a revamped goaltending tandem will provide more consistent results.

Mehta has also prioritized keeping the core group together.

Captain Nico Hischier signed a five-year contract extension, ensuring one of the NHL’s premier two-way centers remains the face of the franchise for years to come. The extension eliminates any uncertainty surrounding the captain and reinforces New Jersey’s commitment to building around its established leadership group.

Another key move was signing Arseni Gritsyuk to a three-year contract extension. After making the jump to North America, the talented winger quickly established himself as an important part of the Devils’ long-term plans. By locking him up early, New Jersey secured another young offensive weapon with the potential to continue developing into a major contributor over the next several seasons.

Beyond those headline moves, Mehta has also improved the team’s overall depth. He added dependable veteran Evan Rodrigues, who brings playoff experience, leadership, and the ability to move around throughout the lineup while contributing offensively.

Likewise, Jesper Boqvist‘s return also gives New Jersey another familiar option who understands the organization and can provide valuable depth. While Boqvist may not be one of the biggest names on the roster, his speed, versatility, and experience playing with many of the players on the roster give the coaching staff additional lineup flexibility.

It’s still early in his tenure, but Mehta has already addressed several concerns fans have been discussing for multiple seasons. That willingness to act aggressively instead of waiting could prove to be one of the franchise’s biggest offseason additions.

Anthony Mantha Gives the Devils a Dangerous Top-Six Scorer

For several seasons, one of New Jersey’s biggest weaknesses has been scoring. The addition of Anthony Mantha has the potential to change that.

Coming off the best offensive season of his career, Mantha tallied 33 goals and 64 points in 81 games with the Pittsburgh Penguins, proving he can still produce at an elite level when healthy. His combination of size, finishing ability, and offensive instincts gives New Jersey another legitimate scoring threat capable of playing significant minutes.

Mantha’s addition also gives the Devils much-needed lineup flexibility. He can complement Jack Hughes by providing a strong net-front presence, play alongside Hischier to create a more balanced top six, or move throughout the lineup depending on injuries and matchups. Wherever he ultimately slots in, his scoring ability and versatility should help ease some of the offensive pressure on New Jersey’s top stars, filling a vacancy in scoring they’ve desperately needed.

His size addresses another area the Devils have been looking to improve. For years, the team has been criticized for lacking enough physical forwards who can win puck battles, create traffic in front of the net, and still produce offensively. Standing at 6-foot-5, Mantha brings that combination of size and skill, adding a dimension that has been missing from New Jersey’s forward group without sacrificing offensive production.

Core Locked Up

Another reason for optimism is stability. Championship-caliber teams rarely spend every offseason worrying about whether they’ll be able to retain their best players. Instead, they build around a core that remains together.

With the Hischier extension, the Devils have moved much closer to that model.

Players become more comfortable within a system, chemistry develops naturally, and management can focus on complementing the existing core instead of replacing it. Additionally, it sends an important message that the Devils believe they already have the foundation necessary to compete—they simply need to surround that core with the right supporting pieces.

Instead of relying solely on expensive free agents, New Jersey continues to supplement its roster through player development and strategic acquisitions.

That combination gives the franchise both short-term competitiveness and long-term sustainability.

A Fresh Start Could Be Exactly What the Devils Need

While optimism alone doesn’t win hockey games, there are tangible reasons to believe the Devils are heading in the right direction.

The organization has a new GM who has already demonstrated a willingness to make meaningful changes. The roster is deeper than it was at the end of last season, and the team’s leadership core remains intact.

There will still be challenges. The Metropolitan Division remains one of the toughest in the NHL, and questions surrounding goaltending won’t disappear until consistent results arrive on the ice.

However, for the first time in a while, there is a renewed sense of direction surrounding the Devils.

If Mehta’s first offseason is any indication, New Jersey isn’t simply trying to bounce back from a disappointing campaign—it is building a roster capable of competing for much more in the seasons ahead.