The NHL’s latest center rankings put the New Jersey Devils in rare company.
On Sunday night, the league named Jack Hughes the 10th-best center and Nico Hischier the 15th-best center, giving New Jersey two players in the top 20. Only the Edmonton Oilers can say the same, with Connor McDavid at No. 1 and Leon Draisaitl at No. 4.
Hughes earned his spot for the reasons Devils fans already know well: speed, skill and offense. He was also credited for winning the Gold Medal with Team USA by scoring the Golden Goal in the NHL, and he remains a sure-fire point-per-game player. If he stays healthy, the Devils’ record book could be in his path down the line.
Hischier’s case looks different, but it’s just as strong. He is regarded as one of the league’s best two-way centers and is often part of the Selke Trophy discussion, even though he has finished second.
He brings responsibility in the defensive zone, but he also creates offense. He may not have the flash of some of the other names on the list, yet he is good for 28-35 goals in any given year and should stay near a point per game.
The rest of the top centers list includes Macklin Celebrini at No. 3, Jack Eichel at No.
6, Sidney Crosby at No. 7 and Connor Bedard at No. 16.
For New Jersey, the takeaway is simple: having two elite centers is a major ingredient for playoff success. If the Devils stay healthy and get enough from the rest of the roster, Hughes and Hischier should be leading a strong team in 2026-27.
In Other News...
Devils Just Sent A Clear Message About Protecting Their Core
The Devils have spent enough time dealing with injury headaches to know that keeping a roster healthy is more than a medical staff talking point. By bringing Victor Kuri onto the coaching staff as a Reconditioning Therapist and Assistant Strength & Conditioning Coach, New Jersey is adding a specialist with experience in rehabilitation work from his time with the Cardinals and Astros, a move that fits the practical reality of a team trying to protect its core.
For a club that has been hit especially hard by shoulder injuries among key players, this is the kind of hire that can matter long before anyone notices it on the ice. The hope is straightforward: give players a better path back when they are hurt and a better chance to stay available once they return, even if the bigger test for this addition will come in how the team handles the grind ahead. [Read more 🡒]
Jake Allen Gives Devils Fans A New Look To Rally Around
Jake Allen is giving Devils fans something fresh to latch onto beyond saves and standings, with the veteran goalie set to wear new vintage-style masks designed by Sylabrush for the 2026-27 season. The look adds another layer to his place in New Jersey, where he arrived in a trade from Montreal in March 2024 and then cemented his future by signing a five-year contract in July 2025.
For a team and fan base always looking for a personality to rally around, Allen has already brought plenty of it. He has a bit of hockey history on his rsum with wins against 33 different franchises, and he has also made an impact away from the crease through philanthropy, including donations and fundraising. The new mask is only a detail for now, but for Devils supporters, it is the kind of detail that can make a goaltender feel even more like part of the fabric. [Read more 🡒]
Devils Top-Six Search Could Get Interesting If Montreal Drags This Out
The Devils have spent the offseason reshaping the roster around the edges, bringing in Evan Rodrigues, Jesper Boqvist and Anthony Mantha while moving Simon Nemec to Calgary for draft picks and a prospect. Even with those changes, New Jersey still has work to do up front, especially if it wants a top-six forward group that feels settled before the pressure of the season starts to build.
One name worth watching is Zachary Bolduc, who has surfaced as a possible trade target if Montreal keeps the situation open. Bolduc has said he wants to stay with the Canadiens, but he also acknowledged that management decisions could determine what comes next, which is where the Devils would have to stay patient and ready. For New Jersey, the appeal is obvious: if the Canadiens stance shifts, the top-six search could quickly get a lot more interesting. [Read more 🡒]