2 New Jersey Devils Facing the Most Pressure in 2026-27 – The Hockey Writers – New Jersey Devils

Heading into the 2026-27 season, every player on the New Jersey Devils is facing some sort of pressure. There is the pressure to be better, the pressure to get as many wins as possible, and the pressure to make the postseason.

The Devils have a strong team, but after their collapse last season, they need to right the ship and get back on track. As a whole, the team is facing a lot of pressure, but there are several individual players who are facing the brunt of it. Here are the two players on the Devils who are facing the most pressure for the upcoming season.

Dawson Mercer

Heading into the 2026-27 season, Dawson Mercer was already facing immense pressure to see if he would remain with the top six or if he would shift down to the bottom six forwards group. My colleague, Devora Slonim, argued the case for him to remain on the top line alongside Nico Hischier and Timo Meier. At the same point, my other colleague, Donnah Campbell, argued the case for Mercer to be a permanent fixture on the third line. Both had solid points, but the latest news involving the Devils will more than likely shift Mercer to the bottom six.

The Devils just acquired forward Luke Evangelista from the Nashville Predators in exchange for two 2028 NHL Draft Picks. Evangelista proved his capabilities last season, recording 56 points in 81 games. At just 24 years old, this young forward has already shown great strength in the offensive department.

Evangelista is not the only new forward joining the Devils this season. New Jersey has already picked up Anthony Mantha, Jesper Boqvist, and Evan Rodrigues. It is likely that the other three players the Devils have already picked up will add depth to the bottom six. However, Evangelista will likely find himself in the Devils top six.

With all these additions, it calls into question where Mercer will play. Since Evangelista will be a part of the top six, he will no doubt take Mercer’s spot. Sure, he has played on the bottom six before, but after playing alongside Hischier, this move might not be the greatest hit to Mercer’s ego. However, he cannot take it personally and just continue to play at the top of his game, no matter where he is placed in the Devils lineup.

On top of this, Mercer is on the final season of his three-year contract with the Devils. He has spent his entire NHL career in New Jersey. If the lineup changes aren’t enough pressure, Mercer is also facing the uncertainty of where he will land for the 2027-28 season. There’s so much riding on this upcoming season for Mercer.

Jake Allen

Since he was traded to New Jersey, Jake Allen has been in the background. For the past two seasons, he has been living in the shadow of Jacob Markstrom. For the first time since joining the Devils team, Allen will now be the starting goaltender.

Allen has stepped up when he has needed to, especially when Markstrom was injured. However, now he will be the Devils’ primary goaltender.

New Jersey still has Nico Daws on their roster, but he has yet to play a full season in the NHL. The Devils also signed David Rittich to a one-year contract. Previously with the New York Islanders, Rittich played in 30 games throughout the course of the 2025-26 season.

The Devils could choose to run a three-goaltender tandem, or they could decide to give Daws or Rittich the primary backup role. Regardless of what they decide, there is no denying that Allen is finally stepping up to be the Devils’ starting goaltender.

Allen is entering the second season of his five-year contract with the Devils. This is his chance to prove to the Devils that they made the right choice in signing his extension.

Plenty at Stake in 2026-27

Every Devils player is facing the pressure for the 2026-27 season, but none are facing it quite like Mercer and Allen. Both of these players are needing to step up big time for their team. They can’t let the Devils down; otherwise, it could cause a domino effect throughout the rest of the Devils team.

This is the season where the Devils will certainly be gunning for their chance at the Stanley Cup; everyone on the team needs to pull their weight.