New Jersey Devils’ 2025-26 Report Cards: Dennis Cholowski

The 2025-26 season did not go as planned for the New Jersey Devils. Instead of heading to the postseason for the second year in a row, the team faced numerous injuries and inconsistencies, resulting in a seventh-place finish in the Metropolitan Division. After going 42-37-3, the Devils need to give themselves a fighting chance for next season by acquiring depth scoring, extending the right players, and making choices that maximize their cap space.

All season long, every player on the roster contributed one way or another, with some making a greater impact than others. Let’s take a look at defenseman Dennis Cholowski, who was recalled from the Utica Comets at various points throughout the Devils’ rocky season.

2025-26 Performance

Cholowski made the final cut for the 2025-26 roster, but did not make an appearance until November. After veteran defenseman Brett Pesce suffered a hand injury blocking a shot against the Colorado Avalanche, he joined the Devils’ roster, playing 15 games until mid-December. Within that time frame, he recorded 10 shots on goal and averaged 14:28 ice time per game.

He notched one assist in his first NHL game of the season, when the Devils defeated the Los Angeles Kings 4-1. From that point onward, he served as a depth defenseman while the team dealt with countless injuries. Cholowski spent the majority of his ice time with Simon Nemec and Colton White, with mixed results. For example, Nemec’s goals for percentage decreased by 27.54% as a result, while White’s increased by 50%.

In January, he was placed on waivers and reassigned to the American Hockey League (AHL) after clearing. Cholowski was recalled again in February to be an extra skater at practice ahead of the Olympic break. He would go on to play two more games with the Devils in April toward the end of the season, and he recorded another assist against the Detroit Red Wings — his second and final point of the season.

All in all, Cholowski played 17 games for the Devils and 13 games for the Comets. He fared slightly better in the American Hockey League (AHL), with five assists in total. Even though his impact on the Devils was limited, he still filled roster absences as needed, and his seven seasons of NHL experience made him an ideal call-up candidate.

Impact for the Devils

The Devils acquired Cholowski last March from the New York Islanders in exchange for forward Adam Beckman. Before then, he’d played for various clubs throughout the NHL, including the Washington Capitals, Seattle Kraken, and the Red Wings, as well as their AHL affiliates. 

He dressed for only six Devils games during his first season in New Jersey, and rounded out 2024-25 with a rating of minus-4. Cholowski also appeared in two playoff games in Round 1 of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, seeing 17:58 of ice time.

The hope was that he’d be able to emerge as a prominent secondary defenseman this season, but Cholowski struggled once again. According to Natural Stat Trick, his on-ice stats were poor, including a 35% goals for percentage and a high-danger goals percentage of 11.11. Likewise, he recorded fewer hits, takeaways, blocked shots, scoring chances, and rebounds compared to last season.

However, the reality is that he’s only played a handful of games for the Devils. His adaptability has been an asset, but he hasn’t had the chance to acclimate to a full-time NHL role.

The main positive was that Cholowski stepped up during the Devils’ times of need. They were without star defensemen at multiple points throughout the season, and he served as temporary relief in these emergencies. His $775,000 salary also made him an incredibly affordable option as the team juggled limited cap space.

Future in New Jersey

Now that the Devils are looking to get back on track toward being a serious Stanley Cup contender, fans can expect numerous roster changes in the coming months. New general manager Sunny Mehta has already expressed his desire to make data-driven, educated decisions to improve the team — and the Devils’ blue line could certainly benefit from a retool.

Now that Cholowski’s one-year contract is over, he will become an unrestricted free agent (UFA) on July 1. Given his lack of point production and his declining stats, it’s very likely that his time in New Jersey is up.

There’s also no shortage of defensive prospects within the Devils’ pipeline, waiting in the wings to step in. Seamus Casey continues to develop in the AHL, and Anton Silayev’s contract in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) will expire at the end of May. Meaning, both are eligible to make their way to the NHL for 2026-27, making Cholowski’s position expendable.

Overall Grade

Considering his minimal impact, Cholowski’s final grade for this season is a D. He appeared in only a few games for the Devils, but his performance was lackluster. Nonetheless, he filled in as a depth defenseman while their blue line was bogged down with injuries.

Now that the organization has ample defensive prospects, the chances of him re-signing with the Devils are slim to none. His overall abilities fit better at the AHL level, and he clearly struggled whenever he was recalled. Their defense is on the verge of an offseason shakeup, and Cholowski’s status as an occasional healthy scratch or emergency call-up most likely won’t be needed next season.