Before long, the New Jersey Devils will be back on the ice for a new season. Younger players will continue to develop and prove that there are new levels to unlock. As they continue to grow, there’s always the question of: how high does the ceiling go?
Every year, players step up and show what they can do for the team. It’s never too early to wonder who it will be this season. Can players who reached new heights last year continue to soar? Can players who struggled last year have a bigger year? Here are three Devils who could put up career-high numbers in 2025-26.
Jack Hughes
We’ll start with the superstar. Jack Hughes is always capable of reaching new heights. Shoulder injuries have plagued him, so the biggest question continues to be whether he can stay healthy for a whole season. At just 24 years old, there’s still time to grow.
In 2022-23, Hughes fell just shy of his first 100-point season. He tallied 99 points, setting a franchise record. He missed just four games that year, the closest he’s come to playing every game in a season. When healthy, he can go on a tear.
Hughes’ career-high in goals is 43, which also happened in 2022-23. This is the only season he broke 40 goals or even 30 goals. He scored 27 goals in each of the past two years despite being limited to 62 games both years.
Following his shoulder surgery in March, the hope is that Hughes comes back strong in 2025-26. He could put up career-high numbers. Could this be the year he breaks 100 points?