The New Jersey Devils enter the 2025-26 season with a lot of talent and depth. With core players such as Jack Hughes, Nico Hischier and Jesper Bratt, the ceiling of the Devils for Success ultimately depends on the next wave of contributors who stand up. As new additions join the bottom six core and with a vacancy in the defensive line -up, various players are ready to make a leap in career years.
That said, here are four Devils players that I believe they will have a Breakout season.
Cody -Glas
Cody Glass came in the NHL -Onderwijsers like the Vegas Golden Knights’ First design choice in franchise historyIn 2017 in general. Since then, his career has been anything but simple. He has shown flashes of high-end talent, but struggled to stay consistent in his time as Golden Knight and Nashville Predator. His best campaign was in 2022-23, where he placed 35 points as a predator, with 14 goals and 21 assists. Since then, his performance has not been consistent and he has difficulty finding his attacking spark. However, he has been plagued by countless head and knee injuries over the years, so that he has prevented himself from playing a full 82-game regular season and eventually his potentially limited.
After being traded to New Jersey in March last season in March, Glass immediately became a favorite with fans. In his first two games he recorded three points (one goal, two assists) and gave a spark to a Devils team that had difficulty finding consistency late in the season. His offensive defensive game was clear and he filled in holes that desperately needed the lower six core. He ended with a 51.2 Faceoff Win percentage (FOW%), in which he completed his welcomed role as a third line center.
Glass became an important player in the schedule of the Devils, who was well learned with his new teammates and turned out to be a much needed addition to the team. His effective attacking playing style, combined with his defensive consciousness, could be the turning point that the Devils desperately need to complete the team. If he stays healthy, the 2025-26 season could be where he settles as a consistent, reliable center that sets up career-best figures.
Paul Cotter
Paul Cotter may not be the most flashiest name on the schedule of the Devils, but he embodies the type of player who can have a big impact. Known for his physical game, ruthless forechecking and the ability to generate energy, he has all the tools to thrive as a New Jersey Devil.
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The 25-year-old winger was traded last season from Vegas to New Jersey in exchange for Alexander Holtz and Akira Schmid. In his three seasons like a Golden Knight, the numbers of Cotter were decent, but there is certainly room for growth. As soon as he joined the Devils in 2024-25, he set a career-best 16 goals and made a name for himself as a sandy player with offensive skills to support it. His attacking touch gives the Devils a different dimension and a 16-plus target season is not excluded. With one season under his belt and chemistry with established teammates, he started a career-best year. His presence on the advantage and physicality helps to tilt the ice in favor of New Jersey, and it would not surprise me to see a spark in his performance in October.
Dawson Mercer
Dawson Mercer has already proven herself as one of the most versatile and reliable young attackers of the Devils. He has played all 328 career matches at the Devils franchise since he was generally set up in the NHL design of 2020. He has shown that he can play the line up and down and contributes to both ends of the ice. But this season feels like the one where Mercer could really break into star.
Although Mercer certainly set up figures in his last four seasons, it still felt as if consistency was missing. When he was at his best, his attacking skill could not be denied. However, the challenge came during his malaise, where inconsistency became a problem. Extensive point Dries Do his production, ended with five points in January, one point in February and five points (two goals) in March. He too Recorded a career low of take -away restaurants (18) and the highest number of giveaway actions (56).
Although he had less than ideal songs last season, he also included a career high in hits with 41 and Power Play goals with six. Although his production has been spotty, the hope that Mercer can find his way back to his numbers from 2022-23 with the Devils, where he placed 56 points (27 goals, 29 assists) and was regularly produced in all 82 games. He only starts his fifth season, which means that he probably did not come close to achieving his full potential. His ability to shift between the center and the right wing has been invaluable for a devil schedule plagued by injuries, but establishing him in a consistent role could unlock his game even more. With his hockey-IQ and finish, he has the tools to surpass the 60-point marking and stability in his position can be the key to help him get there.
Simon Nemec
The future of the devils on the defense is in excellent hands and Simon Nemec is a huge reason why. Second generally prepared by New Jersey in 2022, he has already shown a glimpse of his dynamic two -way capacity.
After having spent the majority of the 2024-25 season with the branch of the Devils’ American Hockey League (AHL), the Utica Comets, NEMEC, left its mark in the late season by coming in for wounded defenders. He quickly turned heads, especially by one Double-Overtime Game winner In Game 3 against the Carolina Hurricanes-a coupling moment that gave the Devils new life after he had hit 0-2 in the series.
Yet it was a challenging season for NEMEC in general. He rarely got the chance to show his defensive match at the NHL level, and when he did, the results were less than ideal. After his strong performance in the play -offs, he will probably get the chance to prove himself during the regular season, because there is a vacancy in the line -up with Johnathan Kovacevic on injured reserve. NEMEC has the balance, vision and mobility that few young blueliners have. His ability to put the puck under pressure and to contribute offensively is there, and while his game continues to develop, the 2025-26 season is the perfect opportunity to show why he earns that empty place.
The devils already have one of the most exciting cores in hockey, but continuous growth of these four players could bring the team to a different level. If Glass, Cotter, Mercer and Nemec take the steps that many expect, New Jersey will be a serious competition for the Stanley Cup.
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