The New Jersey Devils enter the 2026–27 season with a revamped forward group. The Devils added scoring punch, forward depth, and veteran goaltending while parting ways with their longtime starter and a top defensive prospect.
Key Additions
Anthony Mantha (RW) – Signed a two-year, $9.5 million deal ($4.75 million AAV) on July 15th. The 31-year-old scored a career-high 33 goals and 64 points in 81 games last season with Pittsburgh, bringing size, speed, and top-six scoring punch.
Evan Rodrigues (LW) – Acquired from Florida on June 30th in exchange for Jacob Markstrom and Angus Crookshank. The 30-year-old brings two-way play, versatility, and middle-six depth, expected to play a third-line role.
Jesper Boqvist (LW) – Also acquired from Florida in the Markstrom trade. The 25-year-old brings speed, skill, and bottom-six depth, expected to compete for a top-nine role.
Ben Steeves (C) – Also acquired from Florida in the Markstrom trade. The 24-year-old center brings depth and two-way play, expected to compete for a call-up role.
David Rittich (G) – Signed a one-year deal on July 3. The 33-year-old provides goaltending depth behind Jake Allen and Nico Daws, expected to serve as the third option.
Declan Chisholm (D) – Acquired from Washington on June 25 for a 2027 fourth-round pick. The 26-year-old left-shot defenseman brings puck-moving ability, offensive upside, and third-pairing minutes, expected to slot alongside John Marino.
Arseny Gritsyuk (LW) – Signed a three-year, $9.75 million deal ($3.25 million AAV) on June 30th. The 24-year-old brings speed, skill, and middle-six depth, expected to compete for a top-nine role.
Amadeus Lombardi (C) – Signed a three-year, entry-level deal. The 20-year-old center brings youth, skill, and AHL depth, expected to compete for a call-up role.
Vladislav Kolyachonok (D) – Signed a one-year deal. The 25-year-old left-shot defenseman brings depth and two-way play, expected to compete for a call-up role.
2026-27 Nashville Predators Season Preview
Key Subtractions
Jacob Markstrom (G) – Traded to Florida on June 30th for Evan Rodrigues, Jesper Boqvist, and Ben Steeves. The 36-year-old had a 3.07 GAA and .883 save percentage in 44 games last season, a significant loss of veteran goaltending and playoff experience.
Simon Nemec (D) – Traded to Calgary on June 23 with Maxim Tsyplakov for conditional 2027 and 2028 first-round picks, a 2026 second, and Etienne Morin. The 22-year-old right-shot defenseman had 49 points (16 goals, 33 assists) in 155 games over three seasons, a notable loss of youth and two-way potential.
Maxim Tsyplakov (LW) – Also dealt to Calgary in the Nemec trade. The 27-year-old left-wing had NHL depth but was deemed expendable.
Paul Cotter (RW) – Signed a one-year deal with Vancouver on July 1st. The 26-year-old had 15 points (nine goals, six assists) in 79 games last season, removing forward depth.
Evgeny Dadonov (RW) – Departed in free agency. The 37-year-old had 10 goals and 18 points in 68 games, a loss of veteran scoring and depth.
Colton White (D) – Departed in free agency. The 29-year-old left-shot defenseman had five assists in 67 games, removing physicality and depth from the third pairing.
Angus Crookshank (LW) – Also dealt to Florida in the Markstrom trade. The 24-year-old left-wing had NHL depth but was deemed expendable.
Impact on 2026–27
The Devils’ offseason moves signal a clear push toward competitiveness. Mantha adds elite scoring and size to the top six, while Rodrigues, Boqvist, and Gritsyuk bring depth and versatility up front. The departures of Markstrom and Nemec remove veteran goaltending and youth on defense, but the additions should push New Jersey up the standings. Expect the Devils to be in the playoff hunt, with a deeper, more balanced lineup pushing for another deep playoff run.
NHL Rumors: Erik Karlsson, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Eeli Tolvanen
Salary Cap Situation
Projected cap hit – $100,150,000
Roster – 23/23
Projected cap space – $3,850,000
Deadline cap space – $17,783,333
New Jersey Devils Depth Chart
New Jersey Devils Depth Chart from PuckPedia.com – Aug. 26th
NHL Rumors: Quinn Hughes and Connor Ingram
Top New Jersey Devils prospects
| Mike Morreale NHL.com Aug. 17th, 2026 |
Steven Ellis Daily Faceoff July 29th, 2026 |
McKeen’s Hockey Apr. 29th, 2026 |
Scott Wheeler The Athletic Mar. 19th, 2026 |
|
| 1 | Anton Silayev (D) | Mikhail Yegorov (G) | Anton Silayev (LHD) | Mikhail Yegorov (G) |
| 2 | Alexander Command (F) | Anton Silayev (LHD) | Seamus Casey (RHD) | Anton Silayev (LHD) |
| 3 | Lenni Hämeenaho (F) | Alexander Cammand (C) | Mikhail Yegorov (G) | Seamus Casey (RHD) |
| 4 | Sean Casey (D) | Lenni Hämeenaho (RW) | Lenni Hämeenaho (RW) | Shane LaChance (LW) |
| 5 | Mikhail Yegorov (G) | Seamus Casey (RHD) | Ethan Edwards (LHD) | Lenni Hämeenaho (RW) |
| 6 | Nikita Shcherbakov (LHD) | Daniil Orlov (LHD) | Daniil Orlov (LHD) | |
| 7 | Matias Vanhanen (LW) | Conrad Fondrk (C) | Trenten Bennett (G) | |
| 8 | Shane LaChance (LW) | Ben Kevan (RW) | Conrad Fondrk (C) | |
| 9 | Conrad Fondrk (C) | Shane LaChance (LW) | Matyas Melovsky (C) | |
| 10 | Etienne Morin (LHD) | Jakub Malek (G) | Ben Kevan (RW) |
Read more on the top New Jersey Devils prospects heading into the 2026-27 season.
We had to restart our X account. Please follow @MyNHLRumorsX
Have you subscribed to our YouTube channel? Rumor roundups and hot topics from around the league. We’re also posting some stuff on Instagram.
If you love our reporting, choose NHLrumors.com as a preferred source on Google.
