Earlier on Wednesday, the New Jersey Devils announced their 2026-27 preseason schedule, along with a few key dates pertaining to when both rookies and veterans will report to training camp.
Devils rookies will report to training camp on Friday, September 11th. The Devils will play a home-and-home series with the Islanders rookies, with the first contest at RWJBarnabas Health Hockey House on Sunday, September 13th. The rematch will be two days later at the Islanders training facility, the Northwell
Health Ice Center on Tuesday, September 15th.
Veteran players will report to Devils training camp on Wednesday, September 16th.
The Devils kick off their preseason slate with a back-to-back on Sunday, September 20th vs. the Islanders and Monday, September 21st vs. the Rangers. Both of those games will be at Prudential Center.
The Devils finish up the abbreviated preseason slate with a pair of road games at Madison Square Garden on Thursday, September 24th and UBS Arena on Saturday, September 26th. According to the Devils press release, ticket and broadcast details will be announced at a later date.
Keep in mind, this will be the first season under the new CBA with an abbreviated preseason with a maximum of four preseason games (the rookie games do not count) and the expanded 84-game regular season.
The Devils press release didn’t mention anything about whether or not the rookie games vs. the Islanders will be a replacement for their participation in the Prospects Challenge, or whether or not a Prospects Challenge would even be held.
Your mileage may vary when it comes to generating excitement when it comes to preseason hockey. For me, I look at it like how I look at pizza where even bad pizza can be good and satisfying. And considering there’s now a definitive, official date on when Devils hockey kind of, sort of returns, it does give one something to look forward to.
We are 79 days and counting away from Devils rookies reporting. Get excited, people.
