3 Reasons The New Jersey Devils Should Be Optimistic For The 2026-27 Season – Hockey Writers – New Jersey Devils

The New Jersey Devils enter the 2026-27 season in a much different situation than they were just a few months ago. After 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 his arrival, Mehta has spent little time overhauling the roster, shutting down key players, and addressing areas that have frustrated fans for years. While there are still questions that will only be answered once the puck drops in October, there are good reasons to be optimistic about the Devils.

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

Mehta Has Already Changed the Way of the Organization

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

When Mehta was hired as the new GM in April, many fans hoped the Devils would end up being more active instead of active. Just weeks into his tenure, Mehta has shown a willingness to make the tough decisions required in his role.

One of the clearest examples came in the goal. Scoring was one of New Jersey’s biggest problems throughout last season, and it became a common topic among fans. Instead of hoping things would improve internally, Mehta addressed the position by trading Jacob Markstrom and bringing in veteran David Rittich while expressing confidence in Nico Daws’ ability to compete for NHL minutes.

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

Mehta also prioritized keeping the core team together.

Captain Nico Hischier has signed a five-year contract extension, ensuring that one of the NHL’s top two centers remains the face of the franchise for years to come. The extension removes any uncertainty surrounding the captaincy and reinforces New Jersey’s commitment to building around its established leadership team.

Another priority is signing Arseni Gritsyuk to a three-year contract. 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 got another new offensive weapon with the potential to continue to be a big contributor over the next few seasons.

Beyond this headline move, Mehta also improved the team’s overall depth. He added reliable veteran Evan Rodrigues, who brings playing experience, leadership, and the ability to navigate the middle of the lineup while contributing offensively.

Likewise, the return of Jesper Boqvist gives New Jersey another regular option who understands the organization and could provide valuable depth. While Boqvist may not be one of the biggest names on the roster, his speed, versatility, and experience playing with multiple players on the roster gives the coaching staff more roster flexibility.

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

Anthony Mantha Gives Devils Dangerous Scorer in Six

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 compiled 33 goals and 64 points in 81 games with the Pittsburgh Penguins, proving he can still produce at a high level when healthy. His combination of size, finishing ability, and offensive instincts gives New Jersey another legitimate scoring threat capable of playing significant minutes.

The addition of Mantha gives the Devils some much-needed lineup flexibility. He can complement Jack Hughes by providing a solid net-front presence, play alongside Hischier to form a balanced top six, or move throughout the lineup depending on injuries and matchups. Wherever he ends up, his scoring ability and versatility should help alleviate some of the offensive pressure on New Jersey’s frontcourt, filling the void for much-needed scoring.

His greatness refers to another area that the Devil was looking to improve. For years, the team has been criticized for not having enough players who can win puck battles, create traffic in front of the net, and still be productive offensively. Standing at 6-foot-5, Mantha brings that combination of size and skill, adding 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 the entire off-season worrying about whether they’ll be able to keep their top players. Instead, they form a core that stays together.

With Hischier’s extension, the Devils are very close to that model.

Players become comfortable within the system, chemistry develops naturally, and managers can focus on filling the core rather than replacing it. Additionally, it sends an important message that the Devils believe they already have the foundation necessary to compete—they just need to surround that foundation with the right supporting pieces.

Instead of relying solely on expensive free agents, New Jersey continues to add to 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 Just What The Devil Needs

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

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

There will still be challenges. The Metropolitan Division remains one of the toughest in the NHL, and the questions about scoring won’t end until there are consistent results on the ice.

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

If Mehta’s first season is any indication, New Jersey isn’t just trying to bounce back from a disappointing campaign—it’s building a roster that can be more competitive in the seasons to come.