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New Jersey Devils News

The Devils acquired Ben Steeves, Evan Rodrigues, and Jesper Boqvist from the Panthers for Jacob Markstrom and Angus Crookshank.

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.

Ben Steeves
The Devils acquired Jesper Boqvist, Evan Rodrigues, and Ben Steeves from the Panthers for Jacob Markstrom and Angus Crookshank.

Boqvist has been a solid bottom-six forward in recent seasons and will add his talents to the New Jersey Devils in 2026-27. The 27-year-old Swedish forward averaged 11:50 time-on-ice and recorded 13 points (4G / 9A) last season in 73 games with the Florida Panthers. Boqvist has a Devils' draft pick, 36th overall in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, and spent four seasons with the team between 2019 and 2023.

Jesper Boqvist
The Devils acquired Evan Rodrigues, Jesper Boqvist, and Ben Steeves from the Panthers for Jacob Markstrom and Angus Crookshank.

Rodrigues has been a reliable bottom-six forward for the Panthers the past few seasons, moving up the lineup when needed, but will get a fresh start in 2026-27, joining the New Jersey Devils. The 32-year-old forward has scored over 30 points in each of his past five seasons, including a 31-point campaign (11G / 20A) in 2025-26 in 69 games with the Panthers.

Evan Rodrigues
New Jersey has acquired Declan Chisholm from Washington for a 2027 4th round pick.

Chisholm alternated in and out of the lineup for Washington in the 2025-26 season, spending significant time as a healthy scratch, but provided reliable depth when called upon. The 26-year-old defenseman averaged 13:44 time-on-ice, tallying 22 blocks, 11 hits, and seven points (1G / 6A) in 26 games last season.

Declan Chisholm
The Devils have acquired Amadeus Lombardi from the Red Wings for a 2026 4th Round Pick (No.108 overall).

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.

Amadeus Lombardi
New Jersey has signed Anton Silayev to a thre-year, entry-level contract.

Silayev was drafted 10th overall by the New Jersey Devils in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft. The 20-year-old Russian defenseman has yet to play professionally in North America. He spent the 2025-26 season in the KHL, where he tallied three points (1G / 2A) in 61 games with the Nyzhny Novgorod Torpedo.

The Devils have assigned Topias Vilen to Utica (AHL).

After a brief stint with the Devils to close out their season, Vilen will head back to the Utica Comets (AHL). The 23-year-old was the Devils 2025 5th round pick (129th overall) and he has spent the last three seasons in Utica, picking up four goals and 24 points in 59 games this season.

Topias Vilen
Rittich will start against the Hurricanes on Tuesday.

With Game 82 meaning seemingly nothing for New York, they will turn to backup netminder David Rittich as they take on Carolina on Tuesday. The 33-year-old veteran backup has had a mediocre first season in New York, with a 14-9-3 record, 2.78 GAA and .894 SV%. He will host the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday, who are expected to have a depleted lineup after securing their playoff spot vs. Ottawa in round one.

David Rittich
Mantha is expected to be back in the Penguins' lineup on Tuesday.

Mantha had appeared in every game for Pittsburgh prior to sitting their previous contest due to rest but will return to the lineup for Game 82 on Tuesday vs. St. Louis. The 31-year-old has enjoyed a resurgent season after signing a one-year contract with Pittsburgh in the offseason, putting up 30-goals and 60+ points for the first time in his 11-year career.

Anthony Mantha
Rittich is in the starter's crease at the Islanders morning skate.

With Game 82 meaning seemingly nothing for New York, they will turn to backup netminder David Rittich as they take on Carolina on Tuesday. The 33-year-old veteran backup has had a mediocre first season in New York, with a 14-9-3 record, 2.78 GAA and .894 SV%. He will host the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday, who are expected to have a depleted lineup after securing their playoff spot vs. Ottawa in round one.

David Rittich
Hellebuyck will start in Vegas on Monday.

Hellebuyck struggled in his previous outing, allowing five goals on 20 shots (.750 SV%) in a 7-1 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers, severely crippling Winnipeg's slim playoff hopes. That said, they will need a win on Monday, along with some luck elsewhere in the league, to stay in the race. The 32-year-old Hellebuyck, the back-to-back reigning Vezina trophy winner, has had a largely disappointing 2025-26 season and hasn't been able to elevate his game at opportune times, including posting an ugly 2.81 GAA and .874 SV% in five games this month (3-2-0). The Jets enter Monday's contest as +150 road underdogs against the Vegas Golden Knights.

Connor Hellebuyck
The Devils have assigned Lenni Hameenaho to Utica (AHL).

Hameenaho's first season in New Jersey looks to be over after the 21-year-old winger was assigned to Utica (AHL) on Monday. New Jersey's 2023 2nd round pick (58th overall) has enjoyed a solid first season with New Jersey despite occupying a bottom-six role, with two goals, eight points and 14 PIMs in 33 games played in 2025-26.

Lenni Hameenaho
Hellebuyck is in the starter's crease at the Jets' morning skate.

Hellebuyck struggled in his previous outing, allowing five goals on 20 shots (.750 SV%) in a 7-1 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers, severely crippling Winnipeg's slim playoff hopes. That said, they will need a win on Monday, along with some luck elsewhere in the league, to stay in the race. The 32-year-old Hellebuyck, the back-to-back reigning Vezina trophy winner, has had a largely disappointing 2025-26 season and hasn't been able to elevate his game at opportune times, including posting an ugly 2.81 GAA and .874 SV% in five games this month (3-2-0). The Jets enter Monday's contest as +150 road underdogs against the Vegas Golden Knights.

Connor Hellebuyck
Hellebuyck will start Saturday vs. the Flyers.

Hellebuyck allowed two goals on 22 shots in the Jets' win in St. Louis on Thursday. Hellebuyck is starting to heat up for the Jets, who are hoping it's not too little, too late. He's won three in a row while allowing just five goals on 62 shots (.919 SV%). Tonight he'll face the Flyers as -126 home favourites.

Connor Hellebuyck
Hellebuyck is in the starter's crease at the Jets' morning skate.

Hellebuyck allowed two goals on 22 shots in the Jets' win in St. Louis on Thursday. Hellebuyck is starting to heat up for the Jets, who are hoping it's not too little, too late. He's won three in a row while allowing just five goals on 62 shots (.919 SV%). Tonight he'll face the Flyers as -126 home favourites.

Connor Hellebuyck