Sunny Mehta likes what he sees on the Devils’ blue line, and he made that clear in a recent interview with New Jersey Hockey Now reporter James Nichols.
The Devils general manager touched on a few topics in the conversation, including Barrett Hayton’s offer sheet, Jack Hughes’s contract, and the Jacob Markstrom trade. But the most revealing part came when the discussion turned to New Jersey’s defense for the upcoming season.
Mehta said he likes the current group and pointed to the injuries that kept the unit from showing its full potential last season. He specifically mentioned Luke Hughes, Jonathan Kovacevic, and Brett Pesce. He also brought up the age curve for Luke Hughes, noting that players in the 22-24 range are often the ones who make a jump.
Dougie Hamilton’s name has been in trade chatter for a while, and Nichols asked Mehta about expectations for him after some believed he might not be in New Jersey much longer. Mehta said he thinks Hamilton helps the Devils outscore and outchance opponents, and added that he is excited about the balance of the pairings.
The interview also included a discussion of Declan Chisholm, who was recently acquired from the Washington Capitals for a 2027 fourth-round pick. Mehta said he has an "affinity" for Chisholm and added that he has been trying to get him since his time running the show with the Florida Panthers.
He described Chisholm as a great mobile skater with hockey sense. Chisholm is 26, which puts him in the age range the Devils are targeting.
Mehta also addressed former Devils defenseman Simon Nemec, saying the offer from the Calgary Flames was something they just couldn't turn down. New Jersey recently moved Nemec for a 2027 first-round pick (via Vegas Golden Knights, top-10 protected), 2028 first-round pick (via Colorado Avalanche, top-10 protected), 2026 second-round pick (via New York Rangers), and prospect Etienne Morin.
If the season began today, the Devils’ defense would likely line up as Jonas Siegenthaler with Dougie Hamilton, Luke Hughes with Brett Pesce, and Brenden Dillon with Jonathan Kovacevic. That said, there is still plenty of time before puck drop on October 1st, so the roster could still change.
In Other News...
Luke Hughes Debate Just Took A Stunning Turn For Devils Fans
Luke Hughes first full season under his new deal has not been the smoothest ride for the Devils, and the scrutiny has come with it. The young defenseman has had stretches where the production and the defensive detail did not quite match the expectations attached to a $9 million contract, even as his speed and ability to help drive play still show up in the underlying numbers.
What makes the conversation more interesting for New Jersey is that the analytics case for Hughes has not cratered along with the criticism. His market value may actually sit a bit above his current salary, and there are signs he can still trend upward once his game settles in. The bigger issue for the Devils is not just Hughes finding another level, but the team cleaning up its own defensive-zone play so his strengths are not constantly being asked to cover for everyone else. [Read more 🡒]
Devils Weighing A Risky Scoring Gamble Fans Know Too Well
Sunny Mehtas first offseason running the Devils has already looked nothing like the Tom Fitzgerald era, with changes across the front office, coaching staff and roster and moves such as the trades of Jacob Markstrom and Simon Nemec. New Jersey has also added Anthony Mantha on a two-year deal, but the work is not done as the club keeps sorting through the remaining free-agent market with an eye on finding more scoring without sacrificing too much flexibility.
One name in that mix is Patrik Laine, though the Devils are approaching him with caution because any contract would hinge on what he shows in a workout. The question is whether he can still drive the puck the way he once did, after his shot speed dipped last season, and whether that is enough for New Jersey to justify a bonus-heavy offer rather than a more ordinary commitment. [Read more 🡒]
Tom Fitzgeralds Next NHL Move Says Plenty About His Devils Run
Tom Fitzgeralds next move is getting watched closely around the league, because it says as much about his run in New Jersey as it does about where he lands next. Since taking over as Devils general manager in 2020, he has built a rsum that includes real pressure, real criticism and a team that has missed the playoffs in five of seven seasons, leaving plenty of questions about the roster decisions and opportunities that never quite turned into the kind of sustained success the franchise wanted.
For Fitzgerald, the search for his next NHL stop has become its own storyline, with his name tied to a few possible openings and even a consulting path as the league keeps turning over. However it ends, the next job will be read as a verdict on how the Devils last chapter was handled, and for a front office figure who has spent years under the microscope, that makes the wait just as revealing as the hire itself. [Read more 🡒]