The New Jersey Devils may have landed a sneaky good piece in forward Amadeus Lombardi.
What looked, on the surface, like one of several minor AHL-style transactions this summer could end up mattering more than that for Sunny Mehta and his staff in year one. New Jersey dealt a 4th-round pick, 108th overall, to the Detroit Red Wings before the 2026 NHL Draft to bring in Lombardi, and the move carries a real swing-for-upside feel.
Lombardi is 23 and still very much in the early stages of his pro career. His first season with the Grand Rapids Griffins was mostly about learning the league, and the numbers reflected that: 26 points in 70 games.
But the development curve changed over the next two seasons, when he posted 82 points in 91 games. Injuries slowed him at times, yet the offensive upside has stayed obvious.
That’s been the story with Lombardi for a while. Scouts have liked his game, and they’ve liked it even with the caveat that he’s a little undersized. The production is there when he’s healthy, and that’s what makes him interesting.
For New Jersey, the fit starts with Utica. The Comets need to be competitive, and Mehta has already shown that he wants that roster built up properly through the summer’s transactions. Lombardi can help there right away if that’s where he lands.
But the bigger draw is the possibility that he earns a shot with the Devils too. He likely won’t be used at center in the NHL, since New Jersey is too deep there to carve out a path. On the wing, though, there may be room if his game keeps moving in the right direction.
There’s always a chance Lombardi settles in as a strong AHL player and nothing more. Even so, the Devils didn’t pay a heavy price to get him, which is why the move makes sense. The downside is limited, and the upside is enough to keep watching.
In Other News...
Devils Fans Will Love What Nico Hischier Did Off The Ice
Nico Hischier has always carried himself like the kind of captain Devils fans can rally behind, and this week the New Jersey center showed that same instinct away from the rink. While in Bern, Switzerland, he was among the bystanders who stepped in after an inflatable boat got into trouble on the Aare River near a dam, helping authorities and others get the situation under control.
The family aboard was brought safely to shore, and no one was hurt, which was the only outcome that mattered. Hischier later said the effort was a collective one and made clear how relieved everyone was that the scene ended without injury, a small but telling reminder that his leadership travels with him well beyond New Jersey. [Read more 🡒]
Devils Camp Could Open With A Goalie Decision Fans Wont Ignore
The Devils spent part of their offseason quietly reshaping the depth chart behind Jake Allen, first by bringing back Nico Daws on a two-year, one-way deal and then by adding veteran David Rittich on a one-year, one-way contract. Those moves arrived after Jacob Markstroms departure and gave New Jersey a clearer picture of its goaltending options, even if they did not exactly settle the conversation.
Allen still looks like the safest name in the room, but the rest of the picture is less settled as camp approaches. Daws has another chance to push for a larger role, Rittich brings experience, and the Devils now have enough pieces to make their opening-night plan a real question rather than a formality. [Read more 🡒]
Nico Hischier Just Gave Devils Fans Another Reason To Be Proud
Nico Hischier has long been the kind of captain Devils fans can point to with pride, and his latest off-ice moment only reinforces that image. While in Switzerland, Hischier helped rescue a family stranded on the Aare River after their inflatable boat got stuck near a dam, a reminder that his leadership extends well beyond the rink and into everyday life.
Hischier downplayed his role afterward, saying everyone was grateful for the support and relieved that no one was hurt. For New Jersey, it is another small but meaningful reflection of the player wearing the C, one whose reputation keeps growing for reasons that have nothing to do with goals or standings. [Read more 🡒]