New Jersey Devils' season hinges on Jack Hughes' health

The New Jersey Devils face a critical season defined by the health and availability of star center Jack Hughes. Hughes has struggled with consistency in availability, having topped 62 regular-season games in a single season only once since entering the league in 2019-20. His absence has a direct impact on team performance; for instance, the Devils went 8-13-0 in the 21 games he missed last season.

Despite injury concerns, the Devils possess a high ceiling due to their center depth. Both Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier are considered among the top centers in the Metropolitan Division. While Hischier demonstrated durability by playing all 82 games last season, the team's success is heavily tied to Hughes' presence on the ice. The roster features a supporting cast including Jesper Bratt, Timo Meier, Luke Hughes, and new addition Anthony Mantha, designed to mitigate the impact of potential absences.