The New Jersey Devils have had a less-than-ideal 2025-26 campaign up to this point, and it doesn’t seem to be looking positive ahead of the NHL’s Olympic break. The team’s disappointing performance boils down to a few key factors, with injuries and a lack of cohesive play impacting their results.
New Jersey has had bad luck in terms of injuries this season, with Jack Hughes missing extended time due to a hand injury, and more recently, lower body issue. Hughes’ inability to stay healthy for a full NHL season has caused some to question whether he is worth the price, and the argument is there given his injury history. On top of that, defenseman Luke Hughes is the latest player to suffer an injury for the team. Luke was put on injury reserve by the team and is expected to be sidelined through the Olympic break, significantly impacting the Devils’ options on defense.
No team ever wants to lose players, and this season has been one big carousel on IR stints for New Jersey, a hard issue to fight through for 82 games. Staying healthy is one of the best ways to ensure success in the NHL, a luxury the Devils have not been able to afford much this season. How each of their injured players progresses will impact the team’s outlook with the trade deadline looming, something to keep an eye on over the next few weeks.
Despite the unfortunate results thus far in 2025-26, Nico Hischier and Jesper Bratt have given Devils fans hope for the future with their play. The two players have been the most consistent offensive threats for the team through 55 games, a trend New Jersey is hoping continues through April.
Hischier, who was drafted by the team first overall in 2017, has provided most of the offensive spark for the Devils in 2025-26. The nine-year veteran leads the team in points (41) and goals (18) thus far and will likely continue to do so if Jack Hughes misses more time. The captain will also suit up for Switzerland during the 2026 Winter Olympics, giving Devils fans something to look forward to over the break. Hischier will play alongside NHL veterans Roman Josi and Kevin Fiala in Milan, where he’ll look to carry his offensive success across the globe.
Jesper Bratt has followed in Hischier’s footsteps by adding an offensive spark to the Devils this season, with 40 points through 55 games played. Bratt, 27, leads the Devils in assists (27) in 2025-26, and is tied for third in goals with 13. The left-winger has picked up the slack left by injuries in a great way, and there’s a lot of excitement around how he’s responded to the role he’s been given. In addition, Bratt’s play landed him an Olympic roster spot with Sweden, where he’ll be one of a few Devils to suit up for their respective countries.
Speaking of the trade deadline, it will be here before we know it. The NHL will undergo a roster freeze from Feb. 4-22, leaving just under two weeks between the Olympic break and the Trade Deadline. The March 6th countdown is on, and New Jersey has very little time to decide how they’re going to play it.
New Jersey has already traded pieces away in hopes of improving their roster, with Ondrej Palat being dealt to the New York Islanders. Given recent comments by the team, I doubt that’s the end of the road for the team. The Devils could move defenseman Dougie Hamilton, whose trade would free up cap space for New Jersey ahead of what is poised to be a busy summer for free agents. Hamilton has a 10-team no-trade clause with two years remaining on his contract, marking him an asset the Devils can use to retool their team.
New Jersey can undergo a highly-touted rebuild if they do it right, which is looking like the right move given where it stands in the Metropolitan Division. Surrounding their stars like Nico Hischier and Jack Hughes with some fresh talent could be exactly what the team needs to make a deep postseason push. It’s a strategy worth exploring for the Devils, so we’ll see how it shakes out in just over a month.
If I had to use one word to describe New Jersey’s season so far, it’d be complicated. The team has dealt with injuries, trades, and intense speculation as to what’s next, which seems to be weighing on their performance. There are a lot of moving parts for the Devils to deal with at the moment, which will only get more intense as the trade deadline gets closer.
How the team handles their situation will be intriguing for fans and players alike, and the organization will be at the forefront of the league once play resumes. I’d be lying if I said I can’t wait for it, because it just might be worthwhile when it’s all said and done.
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