NHL and NHLPA’s Milan stop launches a first-of-its-kind cross-sport activation with Serie A clubs Inter and Milan, spotlighting a shared global fan pulse for hockey and soccer. In a week of events in Milan, 26 NHL stars will mingle with European soccer icons, with a focus on Olympic visibility ahead of Milano Cortina 2026. Seven players named to preliminary Olympic rosters—Aho, Heiskanen, Seider, Raymond, Hischier, Nylander, and Zibanejad—anchor the roster as Inter hosts a training session and Milan’s opener vs Cremonese. The journey includes jersey exchanges with Serie A legends and a broadcaster summit to amplify cross-border storytelling.

The alliance aims to translate on-field star power into digital and live experiences for fantasy audiences and global fans, leveraging both leagues’ brands and broadcast ecosystems. A historic jersey swap at MSG from a March 2025 moment between Mika Zibanejad and Pirlo/Materazzi underscored the ambition to fuse hockey and soccer narratives. As Milan pivots toward 2025–26, the collaboration is framed as a blueprint for cross-sport engagement, talent mobility, and a broader, more immersive fan experience that transcends traditional league boundaries.

New Jersey’s offseason hasn’t delivered the marquee scoring splash Devils fans hoped for, and the focus now shifts to restricted free agent Luke Hughes. The club reportedly envisions a six-year deal around $7 million AAV, aiming to keep Luke in the fold and keep alive the long-shot dream of pairing all three Hughes brothers in New Jersey. The negotiated path remains delicate, with Frank Seravalli noting Luke could prefer a shorter, incentive-rich contract to test free agency later.

Luke has flashed stardom early, posting 16 goals and 91 points across two NHL seasons while playing a refined defensive game that bodes well for top-pair duties. He’s more than a younger brother to Jack and Quinn, and his development is central to the Devils’ defensive arc amid a roster that also includes Šimon Nemec, who hasn’t yet hit the anticipated stride after being a 2022 top‑two pick. The Devils’ predicament is clear: don’t miss another high-end defense prospect while trying to preserve a rare three-Hughes lineup in one organization.

The article contends the Devils’ ceiling hinges on Luke’s contract clarity and the team’s ability to balance cap space with long-term development, especially as Nemec works to realize his potential and as the broader organization contemplates the feasibility of reconciling history with a realistic plan for 2025–26 and beyond.

New Jersey’s speed upgrade this offseason could push Sheldon Keefe to tweak his ‘Fight The Panic’ approach. Connor Brown, Evgenii Dadonov, Arseni Gritsyuk, and Cody Glass bring faster skating and pace, potentially enabling fewer dump-ins and more controlled zone exits and stretch passes. The Devils’ core—Jack Hughes, Nico Hischier, Jesper Bratt, and Timo Meier—gives Keefe a talent base to press teams with high-octane pressure. If Keefe leans into stress-hockey with this speed, the Devils could sustain more push, even when leading. Identity will matter as much as pace, with Luke Hughes, Dougie Hamilton, and Simon Nemec anchoring a faster, more dynamic defense while the forwards push tempo and transition.

Speed alone isn’t the answer, but it changes the calculus: more rush chances, smarter zone entries, and a shift toward offense from behind the goal line. If Keefe embraces a hybrid style—less dump-ins, more controlled entries, and selective stretch plays—the Devils’ ecosystem could maximize breakout potential and PP efficiency. Talent confirms they can win; the question is whether the system evolves enough to leverage the speed and sustain it through the season.

Your take: will Keefe lean into speed and pressure, or keep the core mechanics intact even as the skating becomes markedly faster?

The New Jersey Devils, having boasted the NHL's top special teams during the regular season, find themselves on the brink of playoff elimination after a disappointing performance against the Carolina Hurricanes. The Devils, who enjoyed a power play success rate of 28.2% in the regular season, have failed to score on 12 power plays against a Carolina team that excels at penalty killing. Forward Nico Hischier emphasized the need for the team to loosen up their mindset, while Timo Meier acknowledged the critical role of special teams in playoff success.

In contrast, Carolina capitalized on their opportunities, converting on a power play during Game 4. Their captain, Jordan Staal, credited strong goaltending and defensive pressure for their penalty kill's effectiveness. With their season on the line, the Devils must find a way to capitalize on power play chances, especially in a decisive Game 5.

Simon Nemec clinched a thrilling 3-2 victory for the New Jersey Devils over the Carolina Hurricanes during Game 3 of their playoff series, scoring just 2:36 into the second overtime. The win marks an important rebound for the Devils, who had lost the first two games of the series. Nico Hischier and Dawson Mercer contributed with goals during regulation, while Jacob Markstrom made 25 saves, showcasing his steadfast presence in the net. For the Hurricanes, goals from Seth Jarvis and Sebastian Aho kept them competitive, but they ultimately fell short in a gripping overtime.

New Jersey's victory also highlighted their offensive resilience, as Mercer’s third-period goal had initially extended their lead to 2-0. However, the Hurricanes rallied with power-play goals from Jarvis and Aho to tie the game, showcasing their ability to respond under pressure. With Game 4 looming, the playoff intensity is only expected to escalate.