Every successful NHL team eventually runs into the kind of adversity that reveals its true character. For the New Jersey Devils, this latest stretch has been defined not by disaster but by a series of injuries and lineup disruptions, the type that challenge a roster’s structure and mental toughness. These moments expose who can rise to the occasion and who still needs development. Right now, players such as Brian Halonen, Seamus Casey, and Juho Lammikko are being closely evaluated in that regard.
Of those three, Seamus Casey presents the most concern. Setting aside advanced analytics for a moment, his play simply has not met the necessary standard. Sixteen giveaways in 18:01 average time on ice is alarming for any defenseman, especially one trying to prove he belongs at the NHL level. His two appearances have resulted in a -3 rating over just 36 total minutes —not a small-sample-size problem but an early-career warning sign.
The issue is not that Casey lacks skill. In fact, his offensive instincts and skating are excellent. The issue is fit. At his size, defending in the corners and handling forecheck pressure becomes an uphill battle. Casey would be better suited as a winger. He has the mobility, the vision, and the shooting ability to generate offense from the half wall rather than the blue line. With proper coaching and patience, he could evolve into a creative playmaker or a secondary scoring threat. But as a defenseman, he appears overmatched.
Juho Lammikko, by contrast, provides more of what the Devils expected. The Finnish forward has carved out a role as a dependable bottom-six and penalty-killing presence. He finishes his checks, battles along the boards, and rarely cheats the game. Still, for a player of his physical style, chipping in the occasional gritty goal, the kind that comes from screens, deflections, or net front scrambles, would strengthen his overall impact. The Devils need a bit more finish from him without asking him to change his identity.
Brian Halonen’s situation is slightly different. He has yet to find a consistent scoring rhythm. His north/south game works best when he is paired with linemates who move the puck efficiently and anticipate his routes. Placing him with faster distributors could unlock his offensive confidence. He plays an honest game, but for New Jersey’s depth to stabilize, players like Halonen must start converting effort into tangible results.
One trade could fix what the New Jersey Devils are hoping to bring to the table
General Manager Tom Fitzgerald now faces an intriguing challenge. The roster is sound, but the middle six could use another proven finisher or two-way center to stabilize the forward group. One potential solution would be a three-team trade that moves veteran Ondrej Palat while bringing in Elias Lindholm. However, any club absorbing Palat’s contract must be a legitimate playoff contender, not a salary facilitator. The NHL has begun cracking down on cap broker transactions, so any such deal must have a genuine hockey purpose.
Lindholm represents precisely the type of player the Devils could use: a powerful, responsible center who can play in all situations and produce offense. He brings size, structure, and reliability down the middle, qualities that would complement both Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier while allowing more lineup flexibility on the wings.
Even with the current bumps, New Jersey remains on pace for approximately 105 to 115 points in the standings. That is an elite trajectory and a testament to the organization’s core strength. What is critical now is maintaining the right balance between short-term roster improvement and long-term development.
There are players and prospects who must remain off limits in trade discussions. Beyond the obvious “no calls about Jack Hughes” rule, Simon Nemec and Arseny Gritsyuk should be considered untouchable. Add to that list Anton Silayev, Daniil Orlov, Conrad Fondrk, Mason Moe, and the club’s top 2026 draft capital. Those assets form the backbone of the franchise’s next competitive window. If New Jersey stays disciplined in developing this group, it can sustain success rather than risk a decline similar to what the Boston Bruins may face in the coming seasons.
This period of adversity should not alarm anyone in Newark. It should instead sharpen the focus. Casey may need a positional adjustment. Lammikko and Halonen must find an extra gear. Fitzgerald has to consider one meaningful but calculated trade to fortify the roster.
Adversity does not define contenders. The response to it does. For the 2025–26 New Jersey Devils, that response begins now.