The New Jersey Devils had a real chance to build around Nico Hischier after taking him first overall. He came into the league and played well, taking over as first-line center following Travis Zajac’s injury. He helped Taylor Hall win an MVP, and it looked like the Devils had the makings of a really good team. Then, it was squandered. In the final year of his entry-level contract, they drafted Jack Hughes first overall.
Now, the Devils had two first-overall picks making under $1 million per season. Hughes would be signed to that contract for three years.
Unfortunately, they didn’t do much with it. The Devils missed the playoffs in each of Hughes’s entry-level years. It was really a lost opportunity, as they had to pay him $8 million per season after that, and if he signs with the Devils again, it will be much more than that.
They had a chance to fix it with another Hughes brother, as Luke Hughes was going to play two full seasons on an entry-level deal, but the Devils missed the playoffs in both of those years. Now, they are paying Luke Hughes $9 million per season.
There aren’t many of these entry-level contracts left. Simon Nemec needs a new deal after this season. Lenni Hameenaho will be a bargain for the next two seasons. Anton Silayev will sign an ELC, but he has a lot of growing to do. Same goes for Mikhail Yegorov. All of the 2025 draft picks have a long way to go.
And the failure could not be more apparent than the situation with Arseny Gritsyuk. Because of his age, he was only eligible for a one-year ELC. The Devils got a good player for under $1 million for one season. That’s all they probably thought they needed.
Gritsyuk has been better than advertised. He’s been good on offense, which we expected, but he’s been exceptional defensively.
I always love it when a team hits on a late pick. Arseniy Gritsyuk was drafted 129th overall, the New Jersey Devils made a great pick there. Gritsyuk’s impact on his teammates has been very strong at both ends of the ice this season. https://t.co/e8R32ip1JF pic.twitter.com/mK8FACea5U
— Rono (@RonoAnalyst) January 30, 2026
The Devils have a gift in Gritsyuk playing as well as he has, but they are close to squandering it. Again.
As of this writing, Gritsyuk has 23 points in 50 games. It’s not that great, yet, but if you watch Gritsyuk play, he is impacting the Devils all over the ice. The offense has been fine, but the underlying parts of his game are NHL-level. With just an 8% shooting percentage, we think the goals start to come more often.
The Devils are apparently already talking about an extension with Gritsyuk. They should make that a priority. He’s not going to cost a ton right now, and he should be worth whatever contract he’s given. His paltry goal numbers, which should turn around in future years, will keep him cheaper than usual.
It still won’t be as cheap as his current contract, which is why this is yet another opportunity lost for Tom Fitzgerald.