The early numbers are pointing the New Jersey Devils toward a much better 2026-27 than the one they just had, at least if you trust the market’s read on the Eastern Conference.
A recent study from Oddscheckers has New Jersey in a favorable spot heading into next season. Using its proprietary algorithm, the site gives the Devils a 7.69% chance of getting out of the East and reaching the Stanley Cup Final.
That number is modest on its face, but the conference picture is crowded enough that even the top teams aren’t separated by much. The defending champs, the Carolina Hurricanes, are listed at 19.61% to come out of the East, while the Florida Panthers sit at the top of the early board at 21.74%.
Taken together, the data suggests the Devils aren’t just being viewed as a team that can bounce back from 2025-26. They’re being treated like a club that could make a real push once the playoffs arrive.
The biggest swing factor, though, is still in net.
New Jersey’s goaltending setup is the part of the roster that leaves the most room for doubt. The tandem of Jake Allen and Nico Daws does not exactly scare anyone, and even with David Rittich around as insurance, there are obvious questions about how stable that group really is.
Allen is a proven goalie, and he has been a starter before. The issue is whether he can be good enough to carry the load for this team over the course of the season.
Then there’s the backup situation. If Daws can’t give the Devils something like 30-plus starts, would Rittich be able to absorb the extra work? Would New Jersey have to carry three goalies all year?
Those are the kinds of decisions the club will have to sort out. If the goaltending doesn’t settle down, the Devils may need to go shopping for another option in net. Perhaps Sunny Mehta is already working on that.
For now, though, the optimism is there on paper. The real test will come once the puck drops and the Devils have to prove the numbers right.
In Other News...
Why A.J. MacLean's Arrival Matters So Much For Sheldon Keefe
A.J. MacLeans arrival in New Jersey gives Sheldon Keefe another familiar voice behind the bench, and that matters because this is not just a hire for depth. MacLean comes with a coaching rsum built across the Soo Greyhounds, Toronto Marlies and Syracuse Crunch, where he earned a reputation for helping teams get more out of their power play and for aiding player development.
What makes the move especially interesting is the way it could reshape the Devils coaching mix. There is still some uncertainty about how the duties will be divided, with one coach likely handling broader responsibilities while another leans into forwards and special teams, but MacLeans addition suggests Keefe is starting to build the staff in his own image. [Read more 🡒]
Cody Glass Just Framed The Devils Question Fans Still Worry About
Cody Glass spent last season showing why the Devils brought him in, and why there may still be a bigger layer to his game than the raw numbers suggest. He posted a career-high 19 goals, but what stood out most in his reflection was how much he valued settling into a defined role under Sheldon Keefe, leaning into the defensive work, faceoffs and hard minutes that helped the offense come along naturally.
The bigger question for New Jersey is whether that kind of buy-in can help stabilize a roster that has already seen how quickly a season can swing. Glass pointed to the offseason additions as a sign the Devils are trying to build a deeper, smarter group with players who can handle top-six duty or slide down the lineup when injuries hit, and he also acknowledged how last years early surge gave way once consistency disappeared. The part that matters now is whether the Devils have added enough of that versatility to avoid another stretch where everything starts to unravel. [Read more 🡒]
Luke Hughes Debate Just Took A Stunning Turn For Devils Fans
Luke Hughes first season at the heart of the Devils long-term plans has not been a clean one, which is part of why the conversation around his place in the lineup has grown so loud. The 2025-26 campaign has brought mixed results, some criticism tied to his $9 million contract, and enough uneven play to make the debate feel bigger than a simple early-season slump. Even so, the numbers behind his game still point to a defenseman whose speed and ability to drive play remain very much in the mix for New Jersey.
What makes the discussion more interesting is that the analytics do not line up with the frustration. Hughes value appears to be tracking above his salary, and his defensive impact has shown enough promise to suggest there is another level coming if the Devils clean up their own zone play around him. For a team looking to stabilize its blue line, the question is no longer whether Hughes belongs in the conversation, but how far his game can climb once the rough edges start to smooth out. [Read more 🡒]