New Jersey Devils’ 2025-26 Report Cards: Stefan Noesen – The Hockey Writers – New Jersey Devils

The New Jersey Devils’ 2025-26 season ended more abruptly than the team would have liked. They missed the postseason and had a final record of 42-37-3. After a commanding start to the season, the Devils collapsed when they returned from the Olympic break, which resulted in them missing the playoffs. The Devils will look to have an intense offseason to add depth, scoring, and strength on the blue line.

All season long, every player on the roster contributed one way or another, with some making a greater impact than others. This installment focuses on forward Stefan Noesen, who had an interesting season filled with both highs and lows.

Noesen’s 2025-26 Performance With the Devils 

Noesen’s performance with the Devils was cut short due to injury. Before the season even began, he injured his groin during the preseason. He was ruled out on Oct. 6 and missed the first six games of the regular season. He played his first game on Oct. 22, and three games later, he scored his first goal of the season. 

On Jan. 8, the Devils played the Pittsburgh Penguins, and Noesen only registered 8:16 on the ice. He was ruled out for the remainder of the season after this. At exit interviews, Noesen was asked about his injury and stated:

I had a cyst in the back of my knee that was kind of bugging me. It happens when you have ACL surgery, had it 12 years ago now. It started growing, hurting, I’ve been getting it drained for a couple years and it took a nasty turn. I was going to wait to get it done at the end of the season, I had one play in Pittsburgh, I couldn’t push off very well and that was kind of the straw that broke the camel’s back.

Noesen ended the season with 38 games played and seven points. This was his lowest point total of his career. He had several injuries slowing him down, but this performance is surely disappointing for the veteran forward. 

Noesen’s Impact With the Devils 

Noesen spent the season playing in the bottom six, often alternating between the third and fourth lines. This Devils team was plagued with injuries this season, and the line combinations had to fluctuate. Noesen often added scoring depth to the team last season, but this season, that production slowed down tremendously. 

His usual physical style of gameplay took a backseat to protect his body, which is now known to be due to a cyst in the back of his knee. He still ended the season with 33 hits. Noesen didn’t have the impact he wanted on the team this season due to his ongoing issues. 

Noesen’s Future With the Devils 

Noesen is heading into the final season of his three-year contract with the Devils. He will be an unrestricted free agent (UFA) at 34 years of age. He had the best season of his career in 2024-25 with the Devils, recording 41 points. He had a major decline in 2025-26, but he missed a majority of the season due to injury. 

It’s up in the air whether or not Noesen will receive an extension. However, since he is getting older and there are younger, stronger players on the team, it feels unlikely he will receive another contract with the Devils. Everything will be riding on his performance in the upcoming season. 

Noesen’s Overall Grade

For his performance in the 2025-26 season, Noesen receives a C. His performance took a nose dive, and then he missed the majority of the season after his knee surgery. This injury was by no means his fault; it was just a very unfortunate turn of events. However, his performance before the injury is what earned him this grade. 

Noesen will look to get better and stronger to return to the ice for the 2026-27 season. Here’s hoping he can play at the start of the season and try to make an impact with the team from the beginning.