
New Jersey Devils News

Malek was drafted 100th overall by the New Jersey Devils in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. The 24-year-old Czech goalie has yet to play an NHL game, but has earned himself a two-year, two-way contract after a serviceable first season at the AHL level. In 31 games last season (13-14-3), Malek posted a 2.75 GAA and .895 SV% with the Utica Comets (AHL).

Steeves is an undrafted forward who has yet to play an NHL game and will add some organizational depth to the New Jersey Devils. The 24-year-old had a solid 2025-26 season in the AHL, recording 45 points (23G / 22A) and 100 penalty minutes in 72 games with the Charlotte Checkers. Steeves was part of the trade that sent Jacob Markstrom to the Florida Panthers earlier this offseason.

Parent made his NHL debut last season, playing five games with the New Jersey Devils and made a lasting impression, earning himself a one-year, two-way contract extension. The undrafted 25-year-old forward spent most of the 2025-26 season in the AHL, scoring 39 points (20G / 19A) in 63 games with the Utica Comets.

With the recent departure of Jacob Markstrom in a trade to the Florida Panthers, the New Jersey Devils shored up their goaltending depth by acquiring veteran David Rittich. The 33-year-old Czech goalie had a serviceable 2025-26 season as the backup netminder for the New York Islanders, posting a 2.76 GAA and .894 SV% in 30 games (14-10-3).

Lombardi was a fourth-round pick, 113th overall, by the Detroit Red Wings in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. The 23-year-old has yet to play an NHL game and has spent the entirety of the past three seasons in the AHL with the Grand Rapids Griffins. In 2025-26, he scored 42 points (16G / 26A) in 47 games.


Tufte, the 25th overall pick of the Dallas Stars in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft, has seen success at the AHL level the past few seasons, but hasn't been able to turn that into an extended NHL look. The 28-year-old forward scored 56 points (32G / 24A) in 64 games with the Providence Bruins (AHL).

Kolyachonok bounced between teams last season, was claimed off waivers twice, and hopes for more stability in 2026-27 with the New Jersey Devils. The 25-year-old defenseman, a second-round pick in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, has 17 points (5G / 12A) in 87 career NHL games.

Hischier was drafted 1st overall by the Devils in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft and will continue his career with the only team he has known, signing a five-year contract extension worth $58.5 million ($11.7M AAV). The 27-year-old Swiss forward has become one of the NHL's top two-way forwards in recent seasons. He scored 66 points (28G / 38A) in 82 games last season with the Devils.

In his first NHL season, Gritsyuk scored 13 goals with 18 assists (31 points) in 66 games, playing primarily in a third-line role for the Devils. He'll likely play a similar role in 2026-27, a third-liner who provides scoring punch and the ability to move up the lineup to play in the top-6.
