The New Jersey Devils’ 2025-2026 season has not been entirely favorable, with numerous ups and downs from the start. With players missing from the start of the season due to injury from non-hockey related injuries, and a lack of chemistry amongst the group, it has not been the easiest year for the team. However, they still give it their all.
On Monday, January 19, the team was on the road playing against the Calgary Flames when Devils defenseman Luke Hughes got tangled up against the boards with Flames forward Justin Kirkland.
L. Hughes did not finish the remainder of the game after this interaction took place during the second period. On Wednesday the 21st, the Devils placed L. Hughes on long-term injured reserve, with a shoulder injury. L. Hughes is a viable asset for the team as he led the Devils in ice time (23:04) and was their leading defeseman in points (26).
Since L. Hughes injury, defenseman Colton White was called up from the AHL Utica Comets to help the team during this time and met the team in Vancouver on Friday, January 23. There are no further updates on L. Hughes injury.
On Tuesday, January 20, the Devils faced the Edmonton Oilers, a great 2-1 win over the team to begin a two-game winning streak. Alternate Captain and star center Jack Hughes played in his 400th NHL career game. He has been with the team since day one, from the 2019 NHL draft as the first-overall pick. He has 34 points this season after returning from a non-hockey related hand injury.
Forwarding to Tuesday, January 27, the Devils hosted the Winnipeg Jets, their first home game back since their four-game road-trip. During the middle of the game, the Devils announced a suspected trade. Alternate captain Ondrej Palat, a Devils veteran was traded to the New York Islanders in exchange for Maxim Tsyplakov. The result of this game ended in a 4-3 loss for New Jersey.
However, Palat was with the Devils since July 14, 2022. He has recorded 92 points in 248 regular-season games. This season, Palat played 51 games and had a total of 10 points consisting of four goals and six assists. In total, Palat has played 876 NHL games since 2011; he has 181 goals and 334 assists, totaling 515 NHL points.
Prior to joining the NHL, Tsyplakov played in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) for seven seasons. In the 2024-2025 season, Tsyplakov had 25 assists. Continuing that he played 77 games that season — a great, strong start for a newer NHL player like himself. In total he has played 104 career games. Being a newer player to the NHL will give him a better chance to grow with the Devils as they will ensure development for the forward.
Tsyplakov is currently in his second NHL season. So far this season, Tsyplakov has played in 27 games and holds two points; one goal and one assist. There is obvious room for development, but he seems like a strong player which will bring value to a team that suffers from numerous injuries. With his height, strength, and ability to assist, Tsyplakov will be a great asset to the team.
The Devils will also receive the 2026 third-round draft pick and 2027 6th-round draft pick in return for Palat. Six-million dollars was freed up in Devils’ cap space since this trade was finalized.
Despite the Devils’ ups and downs, injuries, and roster changes, the team continues to develop. The more changes occur, including adding valuable assets, current players, and draft picks; the team can build up to a healthy, competitive, and driven possible Stanley Cup contender.
