The Devils are set to open their 2026-27 preseason on Sunday afternoon, and the first look comes right at Prudential Center against the New York Islanders. It’s the start of a busy stretch for New Jersey, with a back-to-back that continues Monday night against the New York Rangers, then two more preseason games later in the week before the home opener on Oct. 1.
There’s no shortage of attention on this group after the roster changes and front office shakeup, and the early days of camp have already started to sharpen the conversation around who fits where.
One of the newer faces drawing notice is Evan Rodrigues. He met with the media on Friday after the Devils wrapped up their second day of practice, and he talked through the adjustment to his new surroundings and what he’s trying to clean up before the season begins.
“It’s just finding the chemistry, being able to make plays without thinking about it. Making sure that things become second nature to you and getting all the systems down pat,” Rodrigues stated.
Rodrigues is projected to land on the third line with Arseny Gritsyuk and Dawson Mercer, and he had especially strong words for Gritsyuk after skating with him. “It’s been a lot of fun. He’s a good player, he works hard, he goes in and does the dirty things which, as a linemate, you like, and he’s hard on the forecheck…It’s been nice playing with him so far,” said Rodrigues.
That kind of versatility is part of why Rodrigues could end up mattering a lot as the season rolls on. He can play wing or center, and the Devils are counting on him to bring secondary scoring while settling into his role. After winning the Stanley Cup back-to-back with the Florida Panthers, he arrives with a pretty clear sense of what a season like this can demand.
Jesper Bratt is another major storyline as camp moves forward. The Devils announced on Wednesday that he will wear an alternate captain’s “A” and join Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier in the team’s leadership group.
This is Bratt’s tenth season in New Jersey, and he’s come a long way from being the 162nd overall pick in 2016. He’s developed into a high-end, all-situations player and, by now, one of the league’s most overlooked stars.
On the first day of training camp, Bratt explained what the honor meant to him. “For me, starting my career here, together with Nico for our tenth year now, is going to be really special.
Getting that honor is really big, and I prioritize that very, very high on my list, and I’m excited for the future ahead,” said Bratt.
His production has backed up the reputation. Bratt has 518 points in 634 career games, has scored at least 20 goals in five straight seasons, and posted a career-best 88 points in 2024-25. With Anthony Mantha now joining Bratt and Hughes in the top six, there’s a lot of room for that offense to keep climbing.
Camp has also been shaped by a few absences. On-ice work began Thursday, Sept. 17, and the Devils have been going through drills, special teams work, and 5-on-5 reps with a clear focus on getting the season started the right way.
But Johnathan Kovacevic and Nick Bjugstad have both been out. Kovacevic is expected to miss time while rehabbing after a minor procedure on his right knee, and Bjugstad had surgery for a torn left pectoral muscle and will be sidelined for four to six months.
That leaves a few lineup questions for the Devils to sort through. According to team reporter Amanda Stein’s lines, Brenden Dillon skated with Declan Chisholm, who came over from the Washington Capitals in exchange for a fourth-round pick in the 2027 Draft. Up front, PuckPedia listed a fourth line that could include Amadeus Lombardi, Cody Glass, Connor Brown, and Jesper Boqvist in some combination.
The depth chart is still taking shape, but there’s plenty to watch over the next week as New Jersey gets through its preseason slate:
Sun, Sept. 20 vs. New York Islanders, 1:00 PM ET at Prudential Center - preseason opener and the first chance to see the new lines after camp
Mon, Sept. 21 vs. New York Rangers, 7:00 PM ET at Prudential Center - the second half of the back-to-back against the Hudson River rivals
Thurs, Sept. 24 at New York Rangers, 7:00 PM ET at Madison Square Garden - the start of the road portion of the preseason, with another meeting coming Oct. 15
Sat, Sept. 26 at New York Islanders, 7:30 PM ET at UBS Arena - the final preseason game before the home opener
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Shesterkin Just Added Real Weight To The Rangers Roster Overhaul
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The Rangers have remade the blue line with Sean Durzi, Marcus Pettersson and Alberts mits joining the mix, and Shesterkin is already focused on getting the group back to the playoffs. Mike Sullivan has also been quick to back his goalie as the best at his position and trust him with a heavy workload, which only adds to the sense that New York is asking a lot of the player who may determine how far this reset can go. [Read more 🡒]