3 improvements we must see from the New Jersey Devils in 2026

As the New Jersey Devils skated off the ice after their 4-3 overtime loss last Saturday vs the Washington Capitals, a sense of reality set in for most of the team's fanbase. This is a mediocre hockey team as it is currently constructed. It's not just how they've been performing lately, but what the results have shown over a full calendar year. Since December 27th of 2024, the Devils have posted a record of 39-38-6. They have become the true definition of mid-hockey.

The reasons why this has happened are the same that have been discussed for quite some time. Injuries, lack of depth, and a change in philosophy have plagued this team for far too long. While injuries are out of one's control, the majority of the blame should fall on the organization's general manager, Tom Fitzgerald. He has a ton of work to do to fix his team, and not much space or leeway to do it. With 2026 on the horizon, several tasks need to happen for Fitzgerald to save his team and perhaps his job as well.

1. Move on from Dougie Hamilton/Ondrej Palat's Contracts

This should come as no surprise, but one or both of the contracts of defenseman Dougie Hamilton and winger Ondrej Palat have to be moved. Hamilton is currently making $9 million AAV until the end of the 27-28 season. He also has a modified 10-team trade clause.

As for Palat, he is $6 million AAV until the end of the 26-27 campaign with a modified 10-team trade clause as well. It's been reported that Fitzgerald has been on the phone nonstop trying to move at least Hamilton. However, he can veto any trade that involves any of the 10 teams on his list that he doesn't want to move to.

It's likely the team's Fitzgerald is trying to move Hamilton to are on his no-trade list, and it's making things complicated. The more days that pass and neither is moved, the harder it becomes for Fitzgerald to help his club.

It's also possible that neither gets moved until the offseason. Nonetheless, the Devils' GM has to find a creative way to move Palat and him to clear cap space not just to add to this team, but also to legally allow Johnathan Kovacevic back on the roster once he returns from offseason surgery. Before you can do anything else, you must create the cap space necessary to add.

2. Add depth through trades

Once the first task is complete, whether soon or in the offseason, the next task is to add scoring depth. Despite Fitzgerald saying he wouldn't bring back the same team from last year, the production, or lack thereof, is the same. Relying on guys like Paul Cotter, Luke Glendening, Stefan Noesen, and Juho Lammikko has not and will not work. Once again, Fitzgerald needs to revamp his bottom 6. If the Devils have the cap space by the trade deadline to make moves, there are a few names that stand out that could help.

Kiefer Sherwood, 30, is having a strong season on a rebuilding Vancouver Canucks team. He becomes a free agent at the end of this season, and his cap hit is only $1.5 million AAV. Another option that has been brought up before is Ryan O'Reilly. Despite recent reports that the former Conn Smythe trophy winner would lean towards staying in Nashville, there's always the chance the Devils could acquire him. If they can add O'Reilly, you get a center depth that is hard to beat with Nico Hischier, Jack Hughes, O'Reilly, and Cody Glass.

Another name to look for is Blake Coleman, with whom the Devils have a historym given that they drafted him and he played his first four and a half seasons in the Garden State. Despite his age, Coleman has continued to be an effective player for the Flames, providing depth scoring and a physical style of play that can help the Devils in the playoffs. He has one year left on his deal at $4.9 million AAV after this year, so Fitzgerald will most likely have to pay a bit more than expected to acquire the 34-year-old forward. There are other names, but the point is still the same: the Devils have to add depth if they want to go deep into the playoffs.

3. Add a winger to the core

This is a major move that must happen. Since the Devils traded Tyler Toffoli at the deadline of 2024, Fitzgerald has not filled that hole, forcing Devils fans to watch Palat play in the top-six way too much. Fitzgerald has to swing for a scoring winger to help solidify the team's top-six. Again, if they have the cap space, there are guys out there they could go after that would help. The first is Jordan Kyrou of the St. Louis Blues, whom the Devils have been linked to since last year.

Kyrou brings speed, skill, and forechecking that would complement the team a lot. While he is having a down year so far (Eight goals, 16 points, 29 GP), there's no denying his skill and what he can do on a team that throws out Hughes, Hischier, Bratt, Timo, and Mercer every game. It's going to cost Fitzgerald a lot, given how good a player Kyrou is and that he's under contract until 2031 at a cap hit of just over $8 million AAV. However, if he's available, he needs to do whatever he can to bring Kyrou to New Jersey.

There are other names like Steven Stamkos, who the Devils have been linked to over the past month, and Jared McCann, who are also potentially available. While each player gives varying degrees of what they can do to help the Devils, Fitzgerald can't sit around and do nothing. He has to help this team and help them now. If he can't, there needs to be changes, and you have to bring in someone who has a better team-building philosophy to help this franchise.