Devils’ glaring roster flaw that must be fixed before 2026-27 NHL season

The New Jersey Devils have a new general manager at the helm heading into 2026-27. Sunny Mehta returns to the franchise after spending time as an assistant general manager with the Florida Panthers. Mehta, having won two Stanley Cups to his name, returns to the franchise that gave him his start in the NHL.

He returns at a time when New Jersey truly needs it. This franchise has come close to being a Stanley Cup contender in the past. On paper, this is a team that should be able to contend with some of the Eastern Conference heavyweights. However, they have managed to fall short throughout the 2020s.

This past season was a prime example. The Devils failed to make the Stanley Cup Playoffs after making it in 2025. In fact, New Jersey was the second-worst team in the Metropolitan Division. Only the New York Rangers finished with fewer points in the Metro.

Mehta’s first offseason at the helm has been an interesting one, to say the least. The Devils traded Jacob Markstrom to the Panthers, adding Evan Rodrigues as part of the return. They also acquired Declan Chisholm and Amadeus Lombardi in separate trades. The Devils also traded defenseman Simon Nemec to the Calgary Flames.

NHL Free Agency was a quiet affair for the new general manager. David Rittch signed to add goaltending depth to this organization. And veteran winger Anthony Mantha joined on a two-year contract.

With New Jersey’s offseason unofficially over, let’s take a look at what the team’s biggest roster flaw is heading into the 2026-27 NHL season.

Who will be the Devils’ starting goaltender?

The Devils have a deep goaltending room with three realistic options to play NHL games. Rittich has experience and a solid enough track record as a backup goaltender. Nico Daws has shown some flashes and has youth on his side at just 25 years old. Then there’s veteran Jake Allen, who many would consider the favorite to be the primary starter.

Allen has had a very solid career in his own right. And his time in New Jersey has certainly gone well for him personally. He has recorded a .900 save percentage each year in the parts of three seasons he has played for the Devils.

The question for New Jersey, though, is how this unit will perform. Allen is a solid goaltender, but he is not getting any younger. Daws could be a long-term option, but can he make a significant impact right now? Rittich, like Allen, is getting up there in age. And he has also been inconsistent throughout his career.

New Jersey is trying to win games right now. They will need these three goaltenders to perform at their best if they want to make the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

It’s certainly easier said than done to acquire a top-tier goaltender. A trade for Winnipeg Jets star Connor Hellebuyck would be a fantastic option for the Devils. However, it’s hard to imagine the Jets moving him at this point in the offseason. It’s also a question of whether the Devils have the assets to make that deal in the first place.

New Jersey has high hopes for this upcoming season. They want to compete with the best in the East and play for a chance at a Stanley Cup next summer. Shoring up their goaltending could give them that little extra push toward Cup contention in 2027.

The post Devils’ glaring roster flaw that must be fixed before 2026-27 NHL season appeared first on ClutchPoints.