New Jersey Devils face roster depth decisions before the NHL preseason

The New Jersey Devils enter the upcoming preseason with a surplus of NHL-level forwards and a defensive logjam on the left side. Management must address roster crowding to avoid losing players through waivers, potentially resulting in trades to consolidate talent and acquire future assets. While the team’s core of Jack Hughes, Nico Hischier, Jesper Bratt, and Timo Meier remains locked into long-term contracts through 2030 and beyond, the supporting cast lacks similar tenure. Players including Cody Glass, Dawson Mercer, and Luke Evangelista face upcoming contract decisions that could significantly impact the team's salary cap flexibility. Ensuring continued competitiveness requires balancing the current high-end forward group with the need to retain or replace vital depth pieces as their individual deals expire.

• 4:22 PMYahoo Sports — How Long Can the Devils be Good For?