Devils Struggle Amid Middling Prospect Pool

New Jersey's playoff hopes fade as goaltending, offense woes continue

Mar. 30, 2026 at 11:00am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a hockey game, with the players and ice broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of muted navy, gray, and burgundy colors, conveying the disjointed nature of the Devils' season.The Devils' season has been a fractured, disjointed effort, with their goaltending and offense struggling to find cohesion.Utica Today

The New Jersey Devils have fallen 11 points out of a playoff spot with just 10 games left in the season, as their struggles in goal and on offense continue. The team's prospect pool has also been ranked as middling, with their top prospects either graduating to the NHL or failing to develop as expected.

Why it matters

The Devils' inability to find consistent goaltending and offensive production has put them in a deep hole in the playoff race, raising questions about the direction of the franchise. Their middling prospect pool also suggests they may lack the internal talent to quickly turn things around.

The details

The Devils have been plagued by poor goaltending this season, with Jacob Markstrom ranking near the bottom of the league in key statistical categories. Their 27th-ranked offense has also struggled to provide enough support. Meanwhile, the team's prospect pool has been ranked 22nd in the league, with their top draft picks either graduating to the NHL or failing to develop as expected.

  • The Devils lost 5-2 to the Hurricanes on Saturday, March 28, 2026.
  • The Devils defeated the Blackhawks 5-3 on Sunday, March 29, 2026.

The players

Jacob Markstrom

The Devils' starting goaltender, who ranks near the bottom of the league in save percentage, goals-against average, and goals-saved above average.

Luke Hughes

A top Devils prospect who has graduated to the NHL.

Simon Nemec

Another top Devils prospect who has graduated to the NHL.

Anton Silayev

A Devils prospect who has failed to develop as expected since being drafted.

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The takeaway

The Devils' struggles this season, both on the ice and in their prospect pipeline, suggest a team in need of a major overhaul. Their inability to find consistent goaltending and offensive production, coupled with a lack of high-end talent in their system, could lead to a prolonged rebuild if they are unable to turn things around quickly.