Generally speaking, late August to early September is professional tryout (PTO) season, the time of year when NHL organizations take fliers on fringe NHL players who have yet to receive contracts. The goal is to provide competition for camp and see who stands out.
Sometimes, PTO players disappoint and are subsequently relegated to the free agent market. Sometimes, they impress another organization and sign a deal with that team, as New Jersey Devils fans saw with Kevin Labanc two years ago. Sometimes, they impress enough to warrant a contract with the organization they have a PTO with, like Luke Glendening did just prior to 2025-26.
This season, at least for the Devils, is a bit different.
Effective starting in 2026-27, the NHL is going back to an 84-game season, as it did three decades ago. That means that, for every organization, the preseason has been shortened to just four games. For teams with weak depth, this shouldn't really change anything. There have still been quite a few PTOs handed out around the league.
However, for a team like New Jersey, one that has too much depth, the chances are slim that they extend a PTO to anyone. The fact is, they have 16 forwards pining for a spot on the main roster: all 14 forwards who are making at least $1.5 million in 2026-27, as well as Amadeus Lombardi and Lenni Hameenaho. On defense, they have eight blueliners -- five of whom are left-handed -- expected to compete, barring any trades to clear some roster space and salary cap.
With that, in combination with the fact that there aren't as many games to play around with lines and see who jells, it seems extremely unlikely that a PTO is in the works. Those four games need to be used smartly, without wasting reps for NHL hopefuls already within the system. As much fun, then, as it would be to have a Patrik Laine, an Adam Henrique, or an Oliver Kylington in the system pushing for a spot themselves, it just doesn't make sense.
Even in net, given that there are three goalies expected to be playing NHL games in 2026-27 for New Jersey, those four games mean a lot. They don't really have the space to operate with a fourth goaltender rotating in, even if they hypothetically do need someone to play behind Jakub Malek in Utica.
In terms of PTOs, then, expect a quiet off-season, even if there are moves to be made otherwise.
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