As New Jersey Devils players soak up the last few weeks of summer and begin their travels back to New Jersey to prepare for the 2025-26 campaign, let's break down some burning questions that will be answered throughout the course of the season.
1) Can Jack Hughes Remain Healthy For 82 Games?
When I was previously asked what the X-factor was for the Devils in 2025-26, I immediately responded with a healthy Jack Hughes.
Shoulder injuries limited the 24-year-old to consecutive 62-game seasons, where he scored 27 goals. In March, he underwent successful surgery, which Dr. Peter Millett performed at The Steadman Clinic in Vail, Colorado.
His health is a topic that has been discussed ad nauseam. We simply have to see what the 2025-26 season will bring for Hughes.
2) What Does The Devils' Goaltending Depth Look Like?
In early July, general manager Tom Fitzgerald spoke about his goaltending depth, which includes 24-year-old Nico Daws.
"You see how often goalies are going down," he explained. "Having depth in the net is crucial. Nico is a guy, he played what, five, six games last year? Definitely played too early in his career, but out of necessity. We really like Nico, but we feel like having this depth makes us a better team."
The Devils will, of course, begin the 2025-26 season with veterans Jacob Markstrom and Jake Allen in goal. Behind them on the organizational depth chart, based on experience, would be Daws, except that may not be true by the conclusion of training camp.
If New Jersey decides not to carry three goaltenders, the young netminder has to clear waivers to be assigned to the Utica Comets (AHL). With a limited goaltending market in free agency and plenty of teams in search of a netminder, it is not out of the realm of possibilities for Daws to get claimed.
It is hard not to think back to Nov. 4, 2021, when Scott Wedgwood was claimed. In the blink of an eye, Jonathan Bernier suffered an injury, and the Devils went through seven different goaltenders that year.
If Daws does not clear waivers, the next in line is expected to be Jakub Malek, who will be playing his first season in North America. If either Allen or Markstrom sustains a long-term injury, it would be a tough ask to expect Malek to carry the weight. Beyond the first-year goaltender is Tyler Brennan and Jeremy Brodeur. For those wondering about Isaac Poulter, he signed with the Winnipeg Jets earlier this summer.
3) Can Any Of The New Additions Solidify The Top Six?
Next to Jack Hughes' health, this is probably the biggest question after what some consider a "lackluster offseason" with no true top-six winger signed.
Could one of Arseniy Gritsyuk, Evgenii Dadonov, or Connor Brown find themselves on the wing of either Hughes or Nico Hischier? It is not out of the realm of possibilities to eventually see Dadonov, who scored 20 goals last season, with Hughes or Brown take Stefan Noesen's place on Hischier's line.
These are answers that will quickly reveal themselves as head coach Sheldon Keefe figures out his lines during training camp and preseason.
4) Has The Team's Depth Been Solved?
At the time of publication, the Devils parted ways with six players, who at specific points last season made up New Jersey's bottom six. Nathan Bastian, Justin Dowling, Erik Haula, Cutis Lazar, Daniel Sprong, and Tomas Tatar have all departed in free agency.
Cody Glass was re-signed and could be the team's third-line center. He reached a career-high 14 goals in the 2022-23 season with the Nashville Predators. Paul Cotter and Stefan Noesen each reached a new single-season career-high in goals last season. If it all goes well and those three players can play a consistent level of hockey throughout all 82 games, the Devils should be in better shape.
Dadonov and Brown are expected to help with scoring at five-on-five, and we will see what Dawson Mercer looks like at training camp after the organization demanded that he get stronger this summer.
This question might not be answered until November or December.
5) What Kind Of Player Will Arseniy Gritsyuk Be In The NHL?
The most important thing to keep in mind with Gritsyuk is that expectations will always lead to disappointment.
There will be an adjustment period for the 24-year-old on and off the ice. The addition of Evgenii Dadonov should help with Gritsyuk's transition through training camp into the start of the regular season.
I would give it some time before a judgment is made on what type of player he will be in the NHL.
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