The New Jersey Devils closed out the regular season in April, going 4-3-1 in their final eight games of 2025-26. After a season filled with injuries, obstacles, and uncertainty, the team finished seventh in the Metropolitan Division and was unable to secure a postseason slot.
On the bright side, it looks like there are better things ahead for the Devils, especially after hiring Sunny Mehta as their new general manager (GM). There’s no denying that this offseason should be a busy one in New Jersey, as the team attempts to come back stronger than ever this fall.
Nonetheless, there were still a few highlights amid the struggling Devils’ roster. In this season’s final installment of the “Three Stars of the Month” series for The Hockey Writers, here are three players who made an exceptional end-of-season push.
Even though he struggled at various points throughout the season, Timo Meier finished the season strong, with an offensive uptick throughout March and April. Despite only playing eight games last month, he recorded two goals and four assists — his best point-per-game production since November.
Meier started off strong with an assist in the Devils’ 7-3 victory over the Washington Capitals, then notched a goal and an assist in the following shootout loss to the Montreal Canadiens. He even scored the game-winning goal in the second half of the back-to-back on the road against the Canadiens.
Put those all in Timo’s basket. pic.twitter.com/mLWwGOT7jL
— New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) April 5, 2026
After a turbulent 2025-26 season, Meier finished with 24 goals and 20 assists, ranking fourth on the team in points and third in goals. Even though this marked a slight decrease in his point production as compared to previous seasons, it was not for lack of trying. He ranked near the top of the league in shots on goal, per NHL Edge, and his total of 269 was more than three times the average NHL forward’s (86).
Similarly, Meier was on the ice for more unblocked shot attempts and high-danger scoring opportunities than last season, based on data from Natural Stat Trick. In fact, he finished the season in the 97th percentile in high-danger shots on goal, marking a 40% increase from 2024-25.
Overall, Meier performed well for the Devils, with a late-season surge that suggests he could re-emerge as an elite wing next season. With five years left in his contract and an $8.8 million cap hit, it’s important that he finds his footing much earlier in the season for 2026-27.
Once again, Jesper Bratt proved why he is arguably the Devils’ top wing and one of the most underrated players in the NHL. He wrapped up April with a total of 10 points, averaging 2.25 shots on goal per game. In total, he rounded out the season with 22 goals and 49 assists, marking his fifth straight season with 70 or more points.
Bratt kicked off April with a three-game point streak, beginning with a five-point game against the Capitals. He tallied one goal and four assists, including the power-play goal that gave the Devils a three-goal lead. But that wasn’t his only multi-point game last month. He also recorded two goals and an assist in their 5-3 victory over the Detroit Red Wings, scoring the game-winner late in the third period.
While the rest of the team failed to meet high expectations, Bratt flourished all season long, demonstrating off-the-charts chemistry with Jack Hughes. Together, the two were on the ice for 70 goals, 29 of which were scored during 5-on-5 scenarios. On average, they also generated 57.19 unblocked shot attempts, 4.57 goals, and 18.93 high-danger scoring chances every 60 minutes. Once again, the dynamic “PB&J” duo remains one of the Devils’ best offensive weapons.
All in all, Bratt made the most of the Devils’ disappointing circumstances. While the team dealt with various injuries, he resiliently played a full 82-game campaign while also excelling at creating scoring chances and driving play. Moving forward, the organization should focus on acquiring complementary talent for players like Bratt so the Devils can set themselves up for future success.
Hughes has had a whirlwind of a season, closing out 2025-26 with a staggering 14 points in the final stretch of the regular season. Of the eight games he played, he registered five multi-point contests. Even after missing over a quarter of the season due to injury, he still led the club with 77 points.
Following his dominant performance at the 2026 Winter Olympics, Hughes was a catalyst for the Devils. After rounding out March with 24 points, his momentum continued in April, where he fired 34 shots on goal and averaged 22:33 ice time per game.
His speed, agility, and playmaking skills all make him a franchise cornerstone for the Devils. He led the team’s forwards in numerous categories, including ice time per game (21:18), goals for every 60 minutes (4.38), and goals for percentage (58.64%).
Should Hughes remain healthy next season, there’s no telling what he’ll be capable of. He averaged 1.26 points per game this season, and if he didn’t miss time after an accidental hand injury required surgery, he was on pace to hit 104 points, which would’ve broken the Devils’ single-season franchise point record that he set back in 2022-23.
Hughes has cemented himself as a superstar within the NHL, becoming a household name after winning gold at the Olympics. As the Devils seek to become serious Stanley Cup contenders, fans can rest assured knowing he’ll be leading the charge.
Now that the season has concluded, the Devils must take the time to rest and regroup. Between absent secondary scoring, poor 5-on-5 metrics, and countless players missing time due to injury, 2025-26 certainly took a toll on New Jersey. This summer will be the ultimate test, as their new GM is tasked with negotiating crucial contracts, bringing in additional talent, and letting go of players who haven’t been pulling their weight. Will they be able to turn things around and start 2026-27 off strong?
As always, be sure to follow The Hockey Writers for all the latest news and updates as the offseason unfolds.
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