New Jersey Devils look to rebuild depth for 2026-27 season

The New Jersey Devils are entering the 2026-27 NHL season with a reshaped roster and high expectations following a disappointing previous campaign where they finished 21st in the league. Under General Manager Sunny Mehta and Assistant GM Braden Birch, the team is focusing on depth, size, and versatility.

Key defensive developments include the presence of Dougie Hamilton and Luke Hughes, with Mehta expressing confidence in a bounce-back performance from the blue line. The roster also features emerging talent such as Anton Silayev, who is expected to eventually take on a shutdown role, and Vladislav Kolyachonok, a mobile puck-moving defender.

On the offensive side, the team faces a season of high stakes for several players in contract years, including Cody Glass, Nick Bjugstad, Stefan Noesen, Jesper Boqvist, and Evan Rodrigues. The team's overall outlook remains heavily dependent on the health of Jack Hughes, which is considered a primary variable for a successful season.