Home / Sports / Devils Add Offense: Enough to Score Big?
Devils Add Offense: Enough to Score Big?
23 Sep
Summary
- Devils aim to boost 2.76 goals per game average.
- New forwards Mantha and Evangelista join the team.
- Team seeks improved scoring after playoff miss.
The New Jersey Devils are revamping their offense after a disappointing 2025-26 season, where they averaged just 2.76 goals per game, ranking 27th in the NHL. This offensive deficiency was a primary reason for missing the playoffs.
General Manager Sunny Mehta has made significant moves, adding forwards such as Anthony Mantha and Luke Evangelista. These acquisitions are intended to bolster a forward group that was previously criticized for its lack of scoring and depth.
Key line combinations are emerging, featuring Anthony Mantha alongside Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt, a pairing designed to leverage Mantha's finishing ability. Another projected line pairs Timo Meier and Nico Hischier with Luke Evangelista, with the expectation that Evangelista's playmaking will elevate Meier's performance.
Other forward lines include Arseni Gritsyuk, Evan Rodrigues, and Dawson Mercer, and Amadeus Lombardi, Cody Glass, and Connor Brown. These groupings aim to provide more balanced scoring and depth across all four lines. Notably, Nick Bjugstad faces a significant recovery period due to a torn pectoral muscle, potentially missing most of the 2026-27 season.
The team's overall offensive depth is considered the strongest in years, but the crucial question remains whether these new additions can translate into consistent goal scoring and a return to their 2022-23 identity.
