Devils News & Rumors: Hischier & Hughes Named Top Centers, Nemec’s Tell-All Interview, & More

With the dog days of the offseason nearly over, the New Jersey Devils have slowly but surely become a force to be reckoned with. All summer long, big and small changes have pointed the club in the right direction, leaving fans anxiously awaiting the return of Devils hockey. Veterans are set to report to training camp on Sept. 16, quickly followed by the preseason opener on the 20th against the New York Islanders.

In the meantime, here are all the latest updates and analysis. This installment of news and rumors focuses on which players made NHL Network’s top 20 centers, Simon Nemec’s tell-all interview, and some promising metrics for 2026-27.

Hischier & Hughes Make NHL’s Top 20 Centers

On Sunday, NHL Network analysts and producers unveiled their annual list of the top centers around the league. The Devils were one of only two teams with more than one player featured, with the Edmonton Oilers as the second.

Nico Hischier came in at 15, after posting 28 goals and 38 assists throughout the 2025-26 season. His two-way game remains unmatched, as well as his ability to be a difference-maker in any situation. He led the league in both faceoffs taken (1,808) and faceoff wins (1,008), and remained a steady presence while the team battled a never-ending string of injuries. Here’s to hoping that the captain continues to get the recognition he deserves.

Captain of the @NJDevils Nico Hischier comes in at #⃣1⃣5⃣ on NHL Network's Top 20 Centers Right Now list!

📺: #NHLTopPlayers on NHL Network pic.twitter.com/4WCGz1xOpM

— NHL Media (@NHLMedia) August 23, 2026

After a season filled with highlight-worthy plays, it should come as no surprise that Jack Hughes also made the cut. He was listed at number 10, even after missing roughly a quarter of last season due to various injuries. Hughes led the club with 77 points, marking his fourth consecutive campaign with 70 or more points.

Hughes was instrumental in Team USA’s Olympic victory, scoring the golden goal in overtime against Canada. Following the break, he was a key part of the Devils’ late-season surge, tallying 41 points in the final 25 games of the season. As long as he can stay healthy for the entirety of 2026-27, he’s expected to play a key role within their top six.

Simon Nemec Seeks to Prove the Devils Wrong

Earlier this week, the 2026 European Player Media Tour kicked off in Munich, Germany. Among those involved was former Devil Nemec, representing the Calgary Flames. The organization traded him in June, receiving a second-round 2026 draft pick, two future conditional first-round selections, and prospect Etienne Morin in return.

In an interview with David Alter of The Hockey News during the media tour, Nemec shared that he wasn’t given the opportunity to reach his full potential in New Jersey. Instead, he frequently shuffled between the NHL and the American Hockey League (AHL), all while competing with Luke Hughes and Dougie Hamilton for a coveted top spot.

However, his 2025-26 campaign was still widely viewed as a success. He appeared in 68 games for the Devils, notching a career high of 11 goals and 26 points. Numerous injuries allowed him to move closer to a full-time role, but Nemec would ultimately become the odd man out by the end of the season.

Now, his goal for 2026-27 is to show the Devils he has what it takes to be a number one defenseman — a role he believes he can fill for the Flames. “I just want to prove to everyone that New Jersey wasn’t right,” said Nemec.

Promising Advanced Metrics for 2026-27

Advanced statistics from NHL Edge indicate that the Devils can dominate in a wide variety of categories. In particular, the club has shown major strength when it comes to shooting and skating speed.

Last season, the Devils finished fifth overall in the league in shots on goal, but they also managed to crack the top ten in high-danger, mid-range, and long-range shots. In particular, Timo Meier demonstrated elite abilities. The Swiss forward not only led the team with 269 shots on goal, but he ranked in the 99th percentile among all NHL forwards. He even came in at the 90th percentile or above in skating distance (231.94 miles skated) and hardest shot (94.30 miles per hour).

Similarly, Anthony Mantha excelled in high-danger scenarios last season, with 24 goals to show for his efforts. In fact, 72.7% of his goals in 2025-26 came in high-danger scenarios, and he tied for fifth place in the league. Another area in which Mantha found success was his exceptional 21.7 shooting percentage, placing him in the 99th percentile.

Another component that can take the Devils far this year is Luke Hughes’s skating. Last season, he ranked near the top of the league’s defensemen in max skating speed (23.37 mph), most miles skated in a game (4.45), and speed bursts between 20-22 miles per hour (110). All in all, his skating has the potential to tighten the team’s defense and smoothly transition the puck up the ice. And now that Hughes is fully healthy, the stage is set for a breakout season.

As always, be sure to stay up to date with all the latest offseason news, commentary, and analysis with The Hockey Writers.