🏒 Season Preview: Devils (2025-26)

Overview

This team is built around a strong veteran core with a mix of promising young talent. With depth at center, solid goaltending options, and a defense that blends physicality and puck-moving ability, this squad is poised to be competitive in all facets of the game. The key to success will be balancing the aging stars with the development of younger players.

Forwards Breakdown

⭐ Top Line Potential

• Tim Stützle (C) – Elite playmaker with 95 DI, 80 PA, and 83 SK. He’s the offensive engine.
• Jake Neighbours (L) – High grit and energy (86 CON, 99 EN), perfect complement to Stützle.
• Dylan Guenther (R) – Strong scoring instincts (87 PA, 60 SC), could break out this season.

💪 Middle Six Depth

• Sam Bennett (C) – Brings toughness and leadership (84 CON, 95 EN, 77 LD).
• Adam Henrique & Lars Eller – Veteran presence with strong defensive instincts and faceoff skills.
• Joel Armia & Bobby Brink – Armia’s physicality and Brink’s puck skills offer versatility.

🧪 Developmental Watch

• Raphael Lavoie & Jakob Pelletier – Young forwards with upside, especially Lavoie’s CK and SC.
• Arshdeep Bains (Scratch) – Could be a sneaky call-up if injuries hit.

Defense Corps

🧱 Top Pairing

• MacKenzie Weegar – Defensive anchor with elite ratings in CON (93), DI (90), and DF (88).
• Lane Hutson – Young puck-mover with 98 DI and 99 EN; breakout candidate.

🧠 Veteran Stability

• Alex Pietrangelo & Tyler Myers – Big bodies with leadership and playoff experience.
• Ryan Suter & Jan Rutta – Aging but still reliable in shutdown roles.

Goaltending

🥅 Starter Battle

• Jacob Markstrom – Likely starter with solid endurance (87 EN) and experience.
• Kevin Lankinen – Capable backup with good reflexes and positioning.

🔄 Depth

• Thatcher Demko & Arturs Silovs (Scratches) – Demko could reclaim a starting role if Markstrom falters.

Strengths

• Center Depth: Protas, Faksa, Bennett, Henrique, and Stützle offer a strong spine.
• Defensive IQ: Multiple players with high DI and DF ratings.
• Energy & Conditioning: Several players with 95+ EN, allowing for high-tempo play.

Concerns

• Ageing Core: Suter (40), Henrique (35), Pietrangelo (35) may decline.
• Scoring Consistency: Outside of Stützle and Guenther, goal production could be streaky.
• Goaltending Stability: Markstrom and Lankinen are solid but not elite.

🔮 Season Outlook

Expect this team to be in the playoff hunt, especially if the young guns like Hutson, Neighbours, and Guenther take the next step. The veterans will need to stay healthy and productive, and the goaltending must hold steady. If all clicks, this could be a dark horse contender.