Devils News & Rumors: Hischier Cracks Top 50 Players, 2026-27 Broadcast Schedule, & More – The Hockey Writers – New Jersey Devils

Now that the calendar has flipped to September, the countdown to Devils hockey is almost over. Rookies will make their way to training camp on Sept. 11, with veterans reporting on Sept. 16. Shortly after comes a condensed preseason featuring just four games, quickly followed by the start of the regular season on Oct. 1. This marks a do-or-die campaign for New Jersey, as the team looks to bounce back after a particularly tough season.

This installment of news and rumors focuses on Nico Hischier making NHL Network’s list of top 50 players, the Devils’ national broadcast schedule for 2026-27, how Cale Makar’s extension makes acquiring Quinn Hughes far more difficult, and the latest “Greetings From Jersey” episode.

Nico Hischier Makes NHL Network’s Top 50 Players

The accolades just keep coming for the Devils’ captain, who was recently named one of the top 20 centers in the NHL. This week, he came in at number 43 on NHL Network’s ranking of the top 50 players in the league. Hischier is projected to play a crucial role again this season, following his fifth consecutive campaign surpassing 20 goals and 60 points.

Fans can rest assured that he’ll have a positive impact in any situation, whether it be scoring goals, winning faceoffs, or defending in front of the net. His high-end skating, positioning, and ability to dominate in all three zones will be invaluable as the Devils seek to make their Stanley Cup dreams a reality.

Hischier has certainly had an eventful offseason. At the start of July, he signed a five-year extension, which carries an average annual value (AAV) of $11.7 million. Then, just over a week later, he helped save a family in distress on the Aare River back home in Switzerland, selflessly assisting police officers with the rescue. 

Throughout his career, he’s proven time and time again why he’s the backbone of New Jersey’s franchise — an ideal leader both on and off the ice. Hischier remains one of the most underrated two-way centers in the league, but Devils fans will always rally behind their fearless leader.

Devils 2026-27 National Broadcast Schedule

Earlier this week, ESPN and TNT Sports announced their national NHL broadcasts for the upcoming season. The Devils will have 12 games featured, beginning with their home opener on Oct. 1. New Jersey will also kick off ESPN’s Frozen Frenzy tripleheader on Oct. 13 against the Detroit Red Wings, which will begin at 6 PM ET.

Here is a breakdown of the Devils’ national broadcast schedule for 2026-27:

How Makar’s Extension Impacts the Hughes Situation

On Friday, Cale Makar became the highest-paid player in the NHL after signing an eight-year, $163.2 million extension with the Colorado Avalanche. Unfortunately for Devils fans, this just made acquiring the third Hughes brother far more convoluted. 

Hughes’s price tag is expected to be astronomically high. And from a salary cap standpoint, the scenario just isn’t feasible for New Jersey. They currently have $3.85 million in cap left, with the possibility of Hughes becoming a free agent at the end of this season. 

Considering Mehta’s approach as GM thus far, he’ll likely bide his time and see what the Minnesota Wild comes up with. Now that Hughes’s salary is expected to reach upwards of $20 million, the only other variable left to consider is the length of his new contract. Will he sign a three-year deal to become a free agent at the same time as his brother Jack, or will he agree on a long-term deal like Makar? Only time will tell.

The longer it takes for the Wild to re-sign the 26-year-old defenseman, the more out of control speculation becomes. However, GM Bill Guerin remains steadfast that a new deal will be reached soon. “I can be confident, you can be insecure, you just have to work through the process of the negotiations, figuring out what the player wants, what it will take to keep him, make him happy,” Guerin stated.

Meier’s “Greetings From Jersey” Feature

Our final piece of news is the latest installment of the Devils’ “Greetings From Jersey” series. Sponsored by United Airlines, this digital content segment highlights the behind-the-scenes of players’ lives, and the next episode will feature Timo Meier. 

Greetings From Jersey goes international.
Full episode with Timo drops Sept. 3 on YouTube.#NJDevils | @united pic.twitter.com/ZtjTkj0G6c

— New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) August 31, 2026

The promotional clip showed sights and sounds from his offseason in Switzerland, including his annual youth hockey camp. This marked the program’s seventh year, in which Meier gives back to the community by working with the next generation of Swiss hockey players. He helped coach over 100 kids at Herisau Sports Center in July — the very same place where he discovered his own love for the sport as a child.

The full episode will be available on YouTube this Thursday (Sept. 3).

As always, be sure to stay up to date with all the latest breaking news and analysis throughout the hockey world with The Hockey Writers.