Casey is expected to start the year on IR, and head coach Sheldon Keefe said he's "not expecting to see him back on skates anytime in the near future." Casey will miss some time and will likely open his season in the AHL.
Pesce is skating on his own, but the Devils aren't sure what his availability will be for the season opener on Thursday. The Devils should have several practices early next week, so Pesce's status should be well established prior to their game vs. Carolina.
There was no update on Pesce's status following his exit from Thursday's preseason game due to an undisclosed injury. The 30-year-old Pesce will look to improve after his first season with the Devils in 2024-25, averaging 21:19 time-on-ice and scoring 17 points (3G / 14A) in 72 games.
After a long summer of back-and-forth contract negotiations, New Jersey and Luke Hughes have agreed to a seven-year extension worth $9 million AAV ($63M total). The 22-year-old was New Jersey's 2021 1st round pick (4th overall) and is entering his third full season with the Devils after putting up seven goals, 44 points and 121 SOG in 71 games played.
Devils' head coach Sheldon Keefe said that Noesen is progressing, but is not expected to see any preseason action. With Noesen injured, rookie Arseny Gritsyuk is likely to make the Devils roster out of training camp. At this point, consider Noesen doubtful to be ready for New Jersey's season opener on October 9th.
Kovacevic, who got hurt in the playoffs last season, underwent knee surgery over the summer and is still in the process of rehabbing. When the Devils opened training camp on Thursday, they announced that Kovacevic is out with no timetable for his return.
Noesen was not on the ice when the Devils opened training camp on Thursday, and he is expected to miss some time with a groin injury. It's unclear if Noesen, who is coming off of a career-best 22 goals and 41 points, will be ready for the season opener.
Dallas managed to move some much-needed salary on Thursday after trading Matt Dumba ($3.75M cap hit) and a 2028 2nd Round Pick to Pittsburgh for Vladislav Kolyachonok. Kolyachonok is a 24-year-old defenseman entering his fifth NHL campaign, having recorded two goals and seven points in 35 games played between Utah and Pittsburgh last season.
The Devils initially didn't plan on qualifying Glass, but ended up keeping the 26-year-old centre and signing him to a two-year deal. After being acquired from the Penguins, Glass tallied seven points (2G / 5A) in 14 games with the Devils and figures to start the 2025-26 season as a bottom-6 centre.
After making 14 appearances between Boston and New Jersey last season, Marc McLaughlin has earned himself a one-year, two-way contract extension to remain with the Devils. The undrafted 25-year-old center is expected to start 2025-26 in Utica (AHL) but will provide plenty of depth up the middle for New Jersey after picking up two goals and three points in 14 games last season.
Mantha had his 2024-25 season cut significantly short due to an ACL tear but has earned himself a one-year, $2.5 million contract with Pittsburgh as he attempts to bounce back this upcoming season. The 30-year-old right-winger is joining his fourth NHL organization in the last three years. Before his injury in 2024-25, he was off to a fairly decent start with four goals, seven points and 11 PIMs in just 13 games played.
Despite only appearing in six games with Boston in 2024-25, Riley Tufte has signed a one-year, two-way contract to remain a Bruin. The 27-year-old left-winger spent the majority of last season with Providence (AHL), picking up 21 goals, 42 points and 60 PIMs in 58 games played. He is expected to return to Providence for the start of the 2025-26 season.
