Jake Allen is set to take the first turn in the New Jersey crease, but Nico Daws may carry as much weight in the Devils’ 2026-27 story. With Jacob Markstrom moved to the Florida Panthers, New Jersey opens camp with Allen, Daws and David Rittich as its goaltending group, and the club needs Daws to establish himself as a trustworthy NHL option behind the veteran.
The Devils went 42-37-3 last season, finished seventh in the Metropolitan Division and missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Sheldon Keefe enters his third season behind the bench with a deeper-looking forward group, but several familiar questions remain: health for Jack Hughes, scoring beyond the stars and stability in net.
Projected lines and pairings
- Timo Meier — Nico Hischier — Luke Evangelista
- Jesper Bratt — Jack Hughes — Anthony Mantha
- Arseny Gritsyuk — Evan Rodrigues — Dawson Mercer
- Amadeus Lombardi — Cody Glass — Connor Brown
- Luke Hughes — Brett Pesce
- Jonas Siegenthaler — Dougie Hamilton
- Brenden Dillon — Johnathan Kovacevic
- Jake Allen
- Nico Daws
Crease remains the central concern
Allen, 36, brings the most established résumé and is expected to begin as the starter. The question is whether he can handle a season-long starter’s workload. Rittich provides experienced depth, but Daws is the goalie whose progress could determine how secure New Jersey feels beyond Allen.
Daws, 25, has spent much of the past five years shuttling between the Devils and Utica of the American Hockey League. He has appeared in 55 NHL games, making 50 starts, and owns a 2.96 goals-against average with an .898 save percentage over four seasons. New Jersey believes irregular NHL time has made it difficult for him to find a consistent rhythm.
At 6-foot-4 and 205 pounds, Daws has the physical tools to take on more responsibility. His two-year contract, signed July 1, gives the Devils time to find out whether he can become a long-term answer and a dependable complement to Allen rather than simply a call-up option.
More finish needed behind the first names
Keeping Jack Hughes in the lineup is still the clearest path to raising New Jersey’s offensive ceiling. He missed 21 games last season, after losing 25 games in 2024-25 — 20 in the regular season and five in the playoffs — following shoulder surgery. Since arriving in 2019-20, Hughes has played more than 62 regular-season games only once, when he dressed for 78 in 2022-23.
The Devils also need their middle-six group to do more when opponents load up against Hughes, Hischier and Bratt. New Jersey scored 2.76 goals per game last season, sixth fewest in the League. More production from its depth forwards, blue line and power play would ease the reliance on the top unit.
There was encouragement late last season: the Devils ranked third in NHL power-play efficiency over their final 20 games, clicking at 29.8 percent from March 7 through April 17.
Mantha brings a big finishing target
Anthony Mantha arrives on a two-year contract worth $9.5 million, carrying a $4.75 million average annual value, after signing July 15. The 32-year-old right wing posted career bests of 33 goals, 31 assists and 64 points in 81 games with the Pittsburgh Penguins last season. His 33 goals would have topped every Devil.
At 6-foot-5 and 240 pounds, Mantha gives New Jersey a left-shot right winger who can work off its skilled centers, get to the crease and offer a heavier net-front look. He scored seven power-play goals last season and can help create screens and recover pucks around the blue paint.
Evangelista could unlock another scoring layer
Luke Evangelista is another newcomer positioned for a larger offensive role. New Jersey acquired the 24-year-old right wing from the Nashville Predators on Sept. 1 in exchange for a conditional first-round pick and a second-round selection in the 2028 NHL Draft.
Evangelista set personal NHL highs with 44 assists and 56 points in 81 games last season, including 16 assists on the power play. His 12 goals leave room for more if he shoots more often, especially if he spends time with finishers such as Hischier, Bratt, Hughes or Meier. His passing ability could make him a useful fit on either of the top two lines.
Luke Hughes has another gear
Luke Hughes led the Devils in average ice time at 23:01 per game last season and put 150 shots on goal. His 4.0 shooting percentage was the second lowest among NHL players who averaged at least 23 minutes while recording 150 shots, ahead only of his brother Quinn Hughes at 3.7 percent.
The 23-year-old could take a spot on the first power-play unit. His skating profile also stands out: among NHL defensemen, he ranked in the 97th percentile in top speed at 23.37 mph, 20-plus-mph bursts with 117, and mid-range shots on goal with 49. If more of those chances go in, the Devils could get a major offensive jump from their blue line.
After the horn
New Jersey has added scoring options in Mantha and Evangelista, but the club’s margin will still be shaped by health and goaltending. Allen needs enough support to avoid being overworked, while Daws has an opening to turn potential into regular NHL results. If Hughes stays available and the supporting cast finishes more chances, the Devils have a route back into the playoff mix.
Next puck drop
The 2026-27 NHL regular season begins Sept. 29.
