Summer Coolers – New Jersey Devils

The New Jersey Devils enter 2026-27 as one of the NHL’s biggest question marks. After finishing seventh in the Metropolitan Division and missing the playoffs, New Jersey changed general managers, traded Jacob Markstrom, and now appears prepared to enter the season without a proven No. 1 goaltender. New GM Sunny Mehta brings an analytics-heavy background, while Sheldon Keefe could find himself coaching for his job. Neil Smith and Vic Morren examine whether Jack Hughes can finally stay healthy for a full season, whether Timo Meier can deliver the production New Jersey expected, and why the Devils may need almost everything to go right to return to the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:00:00] New Jersey finishes seventh in the Metropolitan Division, 13th in the Eastern Conference, and 21st overall, missing the Stanley Cup Playoffs after entering the season with much higher expectations.

[00:00:25] The Devils have now reached the playoffs only three times since appearing in the 2012 Stanley Cup Final, with just one series victory during that span—against the New York Rangers three years ago.

[00:00:45] Nearly every important team metric declines. New Jersey finishes 27th offensively and 18th defensively, while the power play falls from third to 13th and the penalty kill drops from second to 17th.

[00:01:00] Sunny Mehta takes over as general manager from Tom Fitzgerald, while Sheldon Keefe prepares for his third season behind the Devils’ bench.

[00:01:20] Mehta brings one of the NHL’s more unusual résumés to the GM position, combining a data-science and analytics background with his experience as a former professional poker player.

[00:01:40] Neil has no doubt that Mehta can run an NHL organization. The real question is whether his approach can outperform the competition and turn New Jersey back into a contender.

[00:02:00] Neil’s biggest concern is immediately clear: the Devils appear ready to enter the season without a true No. 1 goaltender.

[00:02:20] New Jersey adds David Rittich after his stint as the Islanders’ backup, but Neil views him as another depth option rather than the answer in goal.

[00:02:40] Jake Allen currently appears positioned to receive the No. 1 opportunity, while Nico Daws may finally have his best chance to establish himself after several years of being discussed as part of New Jersey’s future.

[00:03:00] The uncertainty follows New Jersey’s decision to trade Jacob Markstrom to the Florida Panthers along with Angus Crookshank.

[00:03:20] In return, the Devils acquire Evan Rodrigues, Jesper Boqvist, and Ben Steeves, adding three forwards to a lineup that needs more offensive support.

[00:03:40] Rodrigues has demonstrated the ability to play significant minutes, including first-line opportunities in Florida, while Boqvist and Steeves project more as supporting forwards.

[00:04:00] Vic questions whether those additions are substantial enough for a team that already struggled to distinguish itself offensively last season.

[00:04:20] Jack Hughes and Dawson Mercer remain important pieces, but Timo Meier’s production since arriving from San Jose has been a major disappointment compared with expectations.

[00:04:40] New Jersey’s additions may make the roster deeper, but Vic does not believe they significantly change the overall ceiling of the team.

[00:05:00] One free-agent signing Vic does like is Arseni Gritsyuk, who receives a three-year contract worth $3.25 million per season after producing 13 goals and 31 points last season.

[00:05:20] Even with that addition, the overriding feeling is that a lot must go right for the Devils if they are going to return to the postseason.

[00:05:40] Sheldon Keefe could also be under significant pressure because he was hired by the previous administration rather than Mehta’s new front office.

[00:06:00] After a disappointing season, Keefe will be heavily scrutinized. A slow start could put the Devils’ coaching situation among the NHL’s early-season storylines.

[00:06:20] Neil returns to the goaltending issue as the biggest concern. He likes the Rodrigues acquisition and believes New Jersey has useful supporting forwards, but does not see those players dramatically moving the needle.

[00:06:40] The contrast with expectations from only a year earlier is striking. New Jersey entered last season being discussed as a potential challenger for first place in the division.

[00:07:00] Injuries to Jack Hughes played a significant role in the disappointing season, making his ability to remain healthy one of the most important variables for 2026-27.

[00:07:20] Neil believes New Jersey needs a full season of superstar-level hockey from Hughes if the Devils are going to become a playoff team again.

[00:07:40] The roster also loses two promising players when Simon Nemec and Maxim Tsyplakov are traded to Calgary for three draft picks, giving New Jersey additional future assets but sacrificing young talent.

[00:08:00] Paul Cotter signs with Vancouver after not receiving a qualifying offer, while Zack MacEwen joins Toronto and Dennis Cholowski signs with the New York Rangers.

[00:08:20] New Jersey still has prospects who could become part of the solution, including 2024 first-round selection Anton Silayev and defenseman Seamus Casey, who appeared in two games for the Devils last season.

[00:08:40] Goaltending prospect Mikhail Yegorov also represents an intriguing future option at a position that has become one of the organization’s most immediate concerns.

[00:09:00] Luke Hughes will be expected to continue developing into a major force on the blue line, but the greatest pressure remains on his brother Jack.

[00:09:20] Neil believes Jack Hughes must put his Olympic success behind him and turn his complete attention toward delivering a healthy, productive season for the Devils.

[00:09:40] Staying out of the trainer’s room and producing elite-level hockey for an entire season could be essential not only to New Jersey’s playoff hopes but also to helping Sheldon Keefe navigate what could become a very difficult year.

[00:10:00] New Jersey still possesses high-end talent, but questions in goal, uncertainty surrounding the coaching staff, and the need for its stars to deliver consistently make the Devils one of the NHL’s most difficult teams to project entering 2026-27.