{
  "id": 5898823,
  "title": "Projecting Devils' new-look lineup for 2026-27 season",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/06/projecting-devils-new-look-lineup-for-2026-27-season",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-06T03:41:37.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/projecting-devils-look-lineup-2026-034137895.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "After four preseason games, the New Jersey Devils' starting lineups and depth chart are becoming more defined. General manager Sunny Mehta has focused on building a team that aligns with head coach Sheldon Keefe's traditional playing style. The top forward line remains unchanged, with Nico Hischier as the captain and Luke Evangelista joining Timo Meier and Dawson Mercer. Evangelista's playmaking skills and work ethic make him a valuable addition to the team's second line alongside Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt. Free agent Anthony Mantha will lead the bottom-six forward group, providing physicality and goalscoring. Veteran Evan Rodrigues, acquired after winning back-to-back Stanley Cups with the Florida Panthers, will complement the remaining spots in the bottom six. The Devils' defensive lineup is more uncertain, with left-handed defenseman Luke Hughes potentially partnering with right-handed defenseman Brett Pesce or Jonathan Kovacevic. Goalie Jake Allen will start, with David Rittich and Nico Daws as backups.",
  "summary": "First-year New Jersey Devils GM Sunny Mehta has overseen an offseason transformation of head coach Sheldon Keefe's roster as the team looks to return to the playoffs in the 2026-27 season.",
  "key_points": [
    "Starting lineup remains stable with Hischier, Evangelista, Meier, Mercer.",
    "Free agent Mantha adds physicality to bottom-six forward group.",
    "Defense uncertain, Hughes paired with Pesce or Kovacevic."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The Devils' revamped lineup, shaped by General Manager Sunny Mehta to fit Coach Sheldon Keefe's traditional style, solidifies the forward positions and identifies key roles, but leaves defenseman pairings uncertain.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}