New Jersey Hockey Now
Total reads
16
This week
5
Rank
#410 of 465
Published
118 posts
Last 12 weeks
Most read posts
Featured on Sportsblogs
Run this blog? Add the badge to your site to show readers you're featured — it links back to this page.
Latest Entries
Devils 3, Kings 1 (Oct. 24): Mantha Comes Up Clutch | Recap
The New Jersey Devils beat the Los Angeles Kings 3-1 on Oct. 24, 2026, snapping a strong start with their sixth win in eight games. After a scoreless first period, the Kings opened scoring in the second, but Anthony Mantha answered 2:46 later with a sharp‑angle goal. The Devils outshot the Kings 15‑3 in that period and took the lead late in the third when Brett Pesce scored with 11:52 remaining. Arseny Gritsyuk capped the win with an empty‑netter at 1:05 left. Jake Allen posted a 12‑save shutout for his fifth victory, moving to 5‑2‑0 as the Devils head to Dallas on Oct. 27.
Devils Daily: Hellebuyck Lands, Mehta’s Bluff, Dillon Sets Record Straight
The Devils surprised everyone by acquiring three‑time Vezina winner Connor Hellebuyck from Winnipeg, despite GM Sunny Mehta’s earlier claim he wouldn’t spend big on goaltending. New Jersey gave up forward Dawson Mercer, defenseman Nico Daws, forward Nick Bjugstad, rights to 2026 first‑rounder Alexander Command and two draft picks for Hellebuyck’s 33‑year‑old, $8.5 M cap‑hit net‑mind. Hellebuyck, who missed this season after a suspension, will debut against the Jets on Nov. 10 and at Prudential Center on Nov. 28. Analysts rate the trade A‑minus, noting the Devils’ .876 save % could improve by nine fewer goals over ten games. Meanwhile, Brenden Dillon remains a healthy scratch and Luke Hughes continues to impress defensively.
Brenden Dillon Was Never Asked to Waive No-Trade Clause by Devils
NHL insider Elliotte Friedman corrects a previous claim that defenseman Brenden Dillon waived his no‑trade clause with the New Jersey Devils. Friedman said he mistakenly assumed Dillon used his trade protection after hearing two Devils did so, but Dillon denied it. The clarification comes as the Devils prepare to acquire goalie Connor Hellebuyck, who will join Dillon in New Jersey. Meanwhile, Dillon’s role is uncertain; he has been a healthy scratch for four straight games, and coach Sheldon Keefe admits benching the veteran leader was a tough decision.
Devils Trade Grades: Mehta Bluffs, Takes Big Swing for Hellebuyck
General manager Sunny Mehta’s biggest move to date lands veteran goalie Connor Hellebuyck from the Winnipeg Jets as the Devils seek stability in net. After trading Jacob Markstrom to Florida, New Jersey swaps forward Dawson Mercer, goalie Nico Daws, forward Alexander Command, forward Nick Bjugstad, a 2029 second‑rounder and a 2027 seventh‑rounder for Hellebuyck, who boasts a Vezina, an Olympic gold medal and a Hart Trophy from the 2024‑25 season. Hellebuyck carries an $8.5 M cap hit through 2030‑31 and is returning from knee surgery, but his career .916 SV% suggests upside. The Jets receive depth pieces and picks, while the Devils keep top prospects and first‑round assets. Trade grades: Devils A‑, Jets B+.
Connor Hellebuyck Trade: Devils, Jets Finalize Blockbuster Deal
The New Jersey Devils are close to sealing a blockbuster trade for Winnipeg Jets star goalie Connor Hellebuyck, the three‑time Vezina winner and 2024‑25 Hart Trophy MVP. In exchange, New Jersey would send forward Dawson Mercer, goalie Nico Daws, forward Nick Bjugstad, 2026‑12th‑overall pick Alexander Command, plus a 2029 second‑round and a 2027 seventh‑round pick. Hellebuyck, 33, is on a seven‑year, $59.5 million contract with an $8.5 million cap hit and a season‑long no‑movement clause. The Devils, currently 6‑4‑0 but struggling with a .880 team save percentage, must navigate cap space and likely salary retention to fit Hellebuyck. GM Sunny Mehta, who has already moved Simon Nemec and added Luke Evangelista, aims to address the goaltending weak spot before the Devils host the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday.
Devils Daily: Gritsyuk’s Streak, Larkin’s Price, Rust Out
Arseny Gritsyuk extends his scoring streak to four games as the New Jersey Devils defeat the Anaheim Ducks 4‑1 at the Prudential Center, with Nico Hischier’s late power‑play goal and Jack Hughes’ empty‑net clincher. Goalies Nico Daws stops 16 of 17 shots, and coach Sheldon Keefe records his 90th win, moving past Pat Burns on the franchise list. The post also details Dylan Larkin’s emerging trade price, with the Red Wings courting multiple teams, and notes league news: Ron Duguay’s passing, Luke Glendening’s new one‑year deal with the Rangers, and Bryan Rust’s six‑week injury hold for the Penguins.
Devils 4, Ducks 1 (Oct. 22): Gritsyuk Stays Hot | Recap
The New Jersey Devils beat the Anaheim Ducks 4-1 on Oct. 22 at the Prudential Center, despite posting fewer than 30 shots for the first time this season. Arseny Gritsyuk opened the scoring at 4:38, followed by Nico Hischier’s second goal before the first period ended. The Ducks pulled one back in the third on Tim Washe’s redirect, but Anthony Mantha’s rebound and Jack Hughes’ third‑season goal (empty‑net) sealed the win. New Jersey finished with 29 shots to Anaheim’s 17, and goalie Nico Daws earned his second victory with 16 saves.
Devils Daily: Pricing Larkin, Tkachuk Booed, Zacha’s Payday
The Devils’ off‑day centers on a speculative trade for Detroit’s Dylan Larkin, a 30‑year‑old 30‑goal scorer with an $8.7 million cap hit—far exceeding New Jersey’s $1.31 million space. The blog proposes a package beginning with Dawson Mercer and outlines how to clear roughly $7.4 million. It also recaps the Devils’ 4‑3 win over Colorado, highlighting a strong 55‑minute performance but lingering concerns from coach Sheldon Keefe. Meanwhile, Ottawa’s Brady Tkachuk returns to the Canadian Tire Centre, scores early, yet gets booed as the Senators rout the Panthers 5‑1. Additional notes cover a Ben Kindel health update, Pavel Zacha’s leverage after a 30‑goal season with Boston, and a new three‑year extension for Bruins’ Marat Khusnutdinov.
Devils Daily: Larkin Lists New Jersey, Lombardi Sits Out
The New Jersey Devils edge the Colorado Avalanche 4-3 on Oct. 20, snapping a nine‑game streak of being outshot and climbing back over .500 (5‑4‑0). Luke Evangelista returns from illness, scores and assists Declan Chisholm’s first goal, while Arseny Gritsyuk adds a backhand tally. Colorado rallies late with two Artturi Lehkonen goals, but Jesper Boqvist’s empty‑netner seals the win. In trade news, Detroit’s Dylan Larkin expands his list to 10 teams, adding the Devils as a possible destination, though no suitable offer has emerged yet. The post also notes rookie Amadeus Lombardi’s strong shot‑share and Connor Brown’s season debut.
Devils 4, Avalanche 3 (Oct. 20): Evangelista, Allen Lead | Recap
The New Jersey Devils edge the Colorado Avalanche 4-3 on Oct. 20 at the Prudential Center, with rookie Luke Evangelista scoring and assisting in his first game back. Jake Allen backs the win with 31 saves on 34 shots, marking his fourth victory. New Jersey leads 1‑0 after Evangelista’s 6:40 wrist‑shot, ties 2‑2 in the second, then pushes ahead 3‑1 in the third before the Avalanche score two late goals, including a clutch strike by Artturi Lehkonen. The Devils register over 40 shots, their ninth 30‑plus‑shot game of the season.
Devils Get Big Lineup Boost at Unfortunate Cost vs. Avalanche
The New Jersey Devils add two regulars for Tuesday’s home clash with the Colorado Avalanche, but must scratch rookie Amadeus Lombardi and veteran Stefan Noesen. Luke Evangelista returns from illness, bringing back his two goals and three points in five games, while Connor Brown makes his season debut after a lower‑body injury, providing a proven penalty‑kill presence (18 goals, 43 points last season). The Devils sit 4‑4‑0 and rank near the bottom in penalty killing, so Brown’s experience is crucial. Lombardi, a fourth‑round pick, has been productive on the fourth line—tied for ninth among NHL rookies in points—but also on ice for the highest opponent expected‑goals rate. The roster shuffle aims to boost scoring and kill efficiency ahead of the Avalanche matchup.
Devils Daily: Dillon’s Veto, Hellebuyck Keys, Rangers PTO
Brenden Dillon sits out his fourth straight game as the Devils coach Sheldon Keefe confirms the veteran used his trade‑protection clause to veto a move last season. Meanwhile, the team’s cap space is a mere $77,077, raising doubts about a possible Connor Hellebuyck deal—his $8.5 million hit would require a blockbuster trade involving Dawson Mercer, Dillon, Nico Daws and prospect Matías Vanhanen. Keefe’s 172‑game record (88‑74‑10) outperforms John Hynes and Lindy Ruff, but scoring remains a concern despite strong defensive metrics. The article also notes Jason Robertson’s $15 million offer turn‑down and a former Devil trying out for the Rangers.
Brenden Dillon Vetoed Devils Trade Last Season | Report
Insider Elliotte Friedman reveals that veteran defenseman Brenden Dillon used trade protection to stay with the New Jersey Devils last season, despite falling out of favor under GM Sunny Mehta and being scratched for the last three games. Dillon, who is in the final year of a three‑year, $12 million deal that shifted from a full no‑trade clause to a modified 10‑team list, was praised by coach Sheldon Keefe and remains a locker‑room leader. He is set to miss his fourth straight game as the Devils prepare to face the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday.
The Devils’ Biggest Problems Might Also Be Their Biggest Reasons for Optimism
The New Jersey Devils sit at 4‑4 after eight games, sparking frustration despite a noticeable uptick in 5‑on‑5 offense and reduced high‑danger chances. The article pinpoints goaltending as the biggest flaw: Jake Allen and Nico Daws posted a combined –6.46 GSAx and a .865 save percentage (28th in the NHL), a pace that could translate to a minus‑67.83 GSAx over an 84‑game season. Scoring improves, with expected goals rising to 3.93 xGF/60, yet the team converts only 78.6% of them, worse than last year’s 82.7% rate. The piece argues that modest regression in net and better finishing could lift the Devils from the league’s bottom, offering a cautious reason for optimism.
Keefe’s Devils Record and Analytics vs. Hynes and Ruff Through 172 Games
Sheldon Keefe’s 172‑game tenure (88‑74‑10, .541 points %) eclipses the records of John Hynes and Lindy Ruff when measured against the same New Jersey Devils core. Hynes posted a .509 mark and Ruff a .448 over their first 172 games, while Keefe leads in both winning percentage and defensive metrics, posting the lowest expected goals against (2.42 per 60) among the three. Both interim coaches posted brief, modest stretches, and playoff success remains limited—a single series win under Ruff. The analysis underscores that Keefe benefits from a now‑prime core, raising expectations for the franchise.
Devils Daily: Shots Aren’t Enough, 32 Trade Candidates, Hellebuyck’s Utah Fit
The New Jersey Devils sit at a perfect 8‑for‑8 in shot attempts (280‑200) yet sit 4‑4‑0 with a –2 goal differential, the only team in the NHL with such a shot‑perfect start. Historical analysis of 845 team‑seasons shows teams with similar stats often struggle in goal‑keeping, reflected in the Devils’ low 5‑on‑5 PDO (96.2) and sub‑.880 save percentages for Jake Allen and Nico Daws. Upcoming: the Devils host the Colorado Avalanche on Oct. 20. Trade chatter highlights Brenden Dillon as a possible move for New Jersey, while the Utah Mammoth eye goalie Connor Hellebuyck amid cap space and trade restrictions. The article also notes injury woes for the Flyers, a defensive shuffle in Detroit, and recent Penguins roster moves.
The Devils Have Outshot Everyone. History Splits on What Comes Next
The New Jersey Devils lost 4-2 to the Washington Capitals on Saturday afternoon and still did the one thing they […]
Devils Daily: Third Pair Buried, Hellebuyck Update, Penguins Selling
Timo Meier finally scored. The catch is that it came on the power play with 19 seconds left, long after […]
Devils 2, Capitals 4 (Oct. 17): Defense Sleeps in Front of Allen | Recap
The New Jersey Devils defense slept in Saturday afternoon. The Devils and Washington Capitals were tied 1-1 after the first […]
Devils Daily: Meier’s Drought, Quinn Hughes Buzz, Shocking Comets Stat
Timo Meier has fired 27 shots on goal this season, and goalies have stopped all 27. That’s a lot of […]
Timo Meier Goal Drought Over: Why It Was Bad Luck, and What Still Worries the Devils
UPDATE, Oct. 18: The drought is over. Timo Meier scored his first goal of the season on the power play […]
Devils Daily: Luke Hughes Steals Show vs. Rangers, Leafs Trade, Perron
The New Jersey Devils put a chink in Dylan Garand’s armor last night. They put seven past the New York […]
Devils 7, Rangers 1 (Oct. 15): Luke Hughes Scores Twice | Recap
NEWARK — The New Jersey Devils‘ expected goals turned into actual goals on Thursday. And then some in a 7-1 […]
Devils’ Jack Hughes Owns the Rangers; Can He Deliver What Keefe Wants?
Jack Hughes has 20 goals and 15 assists in 26 career games against the New York Rangers. Almost none of […]
Devils Daily: Keefe’s New Problem, Briere’s Phone Buzzing, Leafs Panic
The New Jersey Devils finally got to the slot in Detroit. At five-on-five the high-danger count was 17-7, and four […]
Displaying items 1-25 of 118 in total