The Devils' Rising Stars: A Fantasy Hockey Deep Dive
If you’re a fantasy hockey enthusiast, the New Jersey Devils are a team you can’t afford to ignore in 2026-27. Personally, I think this roster is a goldmine of underrated talent, and the projections for the upcoming season are nothing short of intriguing. Let’s dive into what makes this team so fascinating, and why certain players are poised to make waves in fantasy leagues.
Jack Hughes: The Injury-Prone Superstar
One thing that immediately stands out is Jack Hughes’ potential. Ranked 18th overall by NHL.com, Hughes is a player who, when healthy, can single-handedly carry a fantasy team. His post-Olympics performance last season—41 points in 25 games—was nothing short of spectacular. But here’s the catch: Hughes has been limited to 62 games or fewer in three straight seasons. What many people don’t realize is that his injury history is both a blessing and a curse. If he stays healthy, he’s a top-15 player. If not, he’s a risky pick. From my perspective, drafting Hughes is a high-stakes gamble, but one that could pay off massively.
Jesper Bratt: The Consistency King
Bratt is the kind of player fantasy managers dream about. Five straight seasons with at least 20 goals and 70 points? That’s consistency personified. What makes this particularly fascinating is his ability to contribute across categories—goals, assists, shots, hits, and special teams. His exposure to Hughes on the power play only adds to his value. In my opinion, Bratt is criminally underrated at 70th overall. If you take a step back and think about it, he’s a top-50 forward in disguise, and his projected 80 points are a steal at his current ranking.
Timo Meier: The Bounce-Back Candidate
Meier’s 2025-26 season was underwhelming, but here’s the thing: his ice time was at a three-year high, and his shooting percentage was abnormally low. What this really suggests is that he’s due for a rebound. A detail that I find especially interesting is his shot volume—273.6 shots per season over the last five years. That’s elite territory, and if his shooting percentage returns to his career average, we could see a 30-goal, 60-point season. Personally, I think Meier is a sleeper pick, and his 58-point projection feels conservative.
Nico Hischier: The Undervalued Workhorse
Hischier is the kind of player who does everything well but rarely gets the spotlight. Five straight seasons with at least 20 goals and 60 points? Impressive. But what’s even more impressive is his category coverage—power-play points, game-winning goals, face-off wins, and blocked shots. What many people don’t realize is that he’s one of the most well-rounded players in the league. In leagues that reward face-offs and blocked shots, Hischier is a steal in the middle rounds. This raises a deeper question: Why isn’t he ranked higher?
Dougie Hamilton: The Aging Sniper
Hamilton is a fascinating case study. At 33, he’s still one of the most productive defensemen in the league, with 151 goals since 2014-15. But here’s the twist: he’s ranked 24th among defensemen, which feels like a slight. His ability to contribute in goals, shots, hits, and blocked shots makes him a unique asset. What this really suggests is that age hasn’t slowed him down as much as people think. Personally, I think he’s a top-20 defenseman in disguise, and his 46-point projection feels low.
The Bigger Picture: A Team on the Rise
If you take a step back and think about it, the Devils are building something special. Hughes, Bratt, Meier, Hischier, and Hamilton form a core that’s both young and experienced. What makes this particularly fascinating is how their skill sets complement each other. Hughes and Bratt are the playmakers, Meier is the sniper, Hischier is the all-arounder, and Hamilton is the offensive defenseman. Together, they’re a fantasy manager’s dream.
Final Thoughts
In my opinion, the Devils are one of the most exciting teams to watch in fantasy hockey this season. Hughes is a high-risk, high-reward pick, Bratt is a consistency machine, Meier is a bounce-back candidate, Hischier is an undervalued gem, and Hamilton is a reliable veteran. What this really suggests is that the Devils aren’t just a team to watch—they’re a team to draft. Personally, I think this roster has the potential to outperform expectations, and I’ll be keeping a close eye on them as the season unfolds.
