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Devils Hope Their Depth Can Compete Against Top Teams Like The Avalanche

The New Jersey Devils face a pivotal early-season test against the Colorado Avalanche, a team they famously fell to in Game 7 of the 2001 Stanley Cup Final. While the Devils lack the elite offensive firepower of MacKinnon and Makar—two of the NHL’s most dominant players—they’ve bolstered their roster with key depth additions this offseason.

Forward acquisitions like Luke Evangelista, Anthony Mantha, and Evan Rodrigues, along with defensive reinforcement Declan Chisholm and goaltending help from Rémi Poirier (claimed off waivers), aim to close the gap against top-tier opponents. Their recent 7-1 victory over the New York Rangers demonstrated flashes of offensive firepower, though a 4-2 loss to the Washington Capitals highlighted lingering questions about their ability to consistently challenge elite teams like the Avalanche, who are also looking to rebound after a 3-2 defeat to the Philadelphia Flyers.

With both series matchups scheduled in October, the Devils’ depth will be put to the test against a Cup-contending Avalanche squad that has balanced star power with strategic depth moves, including the midseason trade for Mikko Rantanen.

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