The Devils’ top six is still more puzzle than picture, and that’s exactly why it’s worth sorting through now. The big question is how Sheldon Keefe wants to build around Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier, two centers who bring different strengths and can tilt a game in different ways.
One version starts with a clear bet on Luke Evangelista. New general manager Sunny Mehta brought in the 24-year-old late in the offseason, and the idea is that he can be a high-end winger who changes the ceiling of the lineup if his playmaking and skating translate the way the Devils hope. In that setup, Hughes gets a speed-driven line with Jesper Bratt and Evangelista, a group built to attack in transition and create chances in a hurry.
That same projection sends Anthony Mantha to Hischier’s side, and it gives New Jersey a second line with a very different look. Hischier, Mantha, and Timo Meier would bring size, strength, and enough offense to punish teams around the net. It’s the kind of trio that can lean physical without giving up the ability to score.
There’s another path, though, and it keeps Connor Brown right where he ended up making such an impact. Brown was signed as a depth forward in the 2025 offseason, but he quickly became a top-six piece when he skated with Bratt and Hughes. That trio produced one of the best seasons of Brown’s career, and his numbers - 18 goals and 25 assists - gave the Devils the kind of stability that can make a first line hum.
That’s why it wouldn’t be a surprise if Brown stayed there, at least to start the season. Keefe already knows what he’s getting from the veteran, and there’s value in keeping that combination intact while the rest of the lineup settles in.
The Devils also have a few wild cards who could force their way into those spots. Evan Rodrigues has the profile of a winger who can fit anywhere in the top six, and his track record with the Florida Panthers - including helping them win two Stanley Cup titles - makes him a real option to rise onto the Hughes line. If he gets that chance, he could help finish chances while also creating some of his own.
Mantha remains another intriguing fit with Hughes and Bratt, even if he won’t match their pace. He’s a scorer, and with two playmakers feeding him, the Devils could use him as the finisher on that line.
Then there’s Dawson Mercer, who has already spent time on the Hughes line and has shown flashes throughout his Devils career. Arseny Gritsyuk is in the mix too after seeing time in the top six, and he’ll be battling for a spot as well.
The biggest takeaway is that New Jersey has options. Anyone on the third line could be pushed up, and Keefe should still be able to build a dependable third unit behind them. That kind of flexibility is a direct result of the offseason Mehta put together, with forwards who can slide into different roles without the whole structure falling apart.
In Other News...
Devils Face A Familiar Temptation Their New Roster Plan May Reject
Chris Kreiders next move took a sharp turn when the Anaheim Ducks placed him on unconditional waivers with the intention of terminating his contract, a move aimed at clearing the way for a new signing. The veteran winger still has the kind of finishing touch and playoff-tested presence that tends to draw attention, and reports point to an East Coast landing spot once he becomes available.
For the Devils, though, the more interesting part may be the silence. New Jersey has been linked to plenty of familiar names over the years, but this is a case where their roster direction appears to matter more than the appeal of a proven scorer. With an emphasis on younger players and a composition that already has to be managed carefully, the Devils do not seem inclined to chase a veteran fit just because he is there to be had. [Read more 🡒]
Devils Season Outlook Hinges On One Massive Roster Question
The Devils are still in that familiar stage of roster math, weighing whether a swing for top-end talent is worth the ripple effect everywhere else. Connor Hellebuycks trade request from Winnipeg has only added to the conversation, and Quinn Hughes remains unsigned in Minnesota without showing any urgency, which keeps both names in the mix as New Jersey assesses what kind of move could actually change its ceiling.
From the Devils point of view, the appeal is obvious. Hellebuyck would give them a major answer in goal, while Hughes would reshape the blue line in a different way, bringing a defense-first impact that could alter how the whole roster is built around him. The challenge, as always with players of that caliber, is fitting the idea into the cap, the depth chart and the long-term plan, which is why this remains more of a franchise-shaping question than a simple transaction watch. [Read more 🡒]
Jesper Boqvist Has A Real Chance To Solve One Devils Need
Jesper Boqvist is back in New Jersey with a chance to fit into a role the Devils have been trying to firm up. After spending the 2025-26 season in Florida, where he played 73 games and put up 13 points, Boqvist was traded to the Devils on June 30 in a multi-player deal, giving the team a familiar name with a fresh opportunity.
For a roster looking for stability in the bottom six, Boqvist brings experience and enough versatility to matter in that part of the lineup. He is also nearing the 400-game mark in his NHL career, which gives New Jersey a player with a long runway of league experience as it sorts out how its depth forwards will fit in for 2026-27. [Read more 🡒]