The New Jersey Devils are facing a significant challenge early in the 2025-26 season: the loss of defenseman Brett Pesce to a lower-body injury. Head coach Sheldon Keefe announced on Tuesday that Pesce will be out for at least a month after blocking a shot in Sunday's 4-3 overtime victory against the Colorado Avalanche.
Pesce, who joined the Devils in July of 2024 on a six-year, $33 million deal, has quickly become a key component of their defensive structure. In nine games this season, the 30-year-old right-shot defenseman recorded three assists with a plus-3 rating, averaging 19:39 of ice time. His absence creates a void on the blue line that the Devils will need to address, especially with Johnathan Kovacevic already sidelined due to a lingering knee injury.
Keefe acknowledged the importance of defensive depth, a lesson the team learned last season when injuries plagued the roster. With Pesce out, several players will have the opportunity to step up. Santeri Hatakka, who impressed in a short stint last season, is one option. In 12 games, he posted a plus-5 rating while showing good chemistry with Simon Nemec. Nemec and Seamus Casey, both former high draft picks, are also looking to solidify their roles.
The Devils recalled Casey from Utica of the American Hockey League (AHL), signaling a potential opportunity for the young defenseman to prove himself. During the prior season, Casey got his first taste of NHL action, appearing in 14 regular season games. The team also has veteran options like Brendan Dillon and Jonas Siegenthaler to provide stability.
The injury to Pesce comes at a time when the Devils have been riding high, with an eight-game win streak. Jacob Markstrom, who missed the team's last six games due to a lower-body injury, returned to the lineup. Jake Allen had been stellar in Markstrom's absence, posting a 5-0-0 record with a .915 save percentage and a 1.64 goals-against average.
Now, with Pesce sidelined, the question is whether the Devils will look outside the organization for defensive help via trade. General manager Tom Fitzgerald has made it clear that the team needs to be bigger and tougher. While upgrading the forward group was considered a priority in the past offseason, the current injury situation might shift the focus back to the blue line.
Several factors will likely influence Fitzgerald's decision. The performance of the internal replacements in the coming weeks will be crucial. If Hatakka, Nemec, Casey, or others can effectively fill Pesce's role, the Devils may opt to stand pat. However, if the defense struggles, Fitzgerald could explore the trade market for a short-term or long-term solution.
The Devils' defensive pairings have already seen some shuffling in training camp, with Dillon-Hamilton, Siegenthaler-Kovacevic, and Hatakka-Nemec being trialed. The coaching staff will need to find the right combinations to maintain defensive solidity while also generating offense.
Ultimately, the next few weeks will be a test of the Devils' organizational depth and their commitment to contending for a Stanley Cup. While losing Pesce is a significant blow, it also presents an opportunity for other players to step up and prove their worth. Whether that will be enough, or if a trade is on the horizon, remains to be seen.
