Is Nico Hischier going to cost the New Jersey Devils more than $11 million per season for the next eight years?
The latest AFP Analytics offseason contract projections indicate that may very well be the case.
The Devils have a lot of answers to answer under new general manager, Sunny Mehta.
And although they are heading into the summer with $11,875,000 in cap space, it seems like that money could be eaten up very quickly, with no real room to improve without making cuts elsewhere.
The NHL officially announced 12 days ago that the 2026-27 salary cap will be $104 million.
Here’s a quick look at the Devils’ projections:
updated cap outlook
Per Pakpedia projections for 2026–27:
- Salary Cap: $104,000,000
- Projected cap hit: $92,125,000
- Cap Space: $11,875,000
- Cap floor: $76.9 million
Although the Devils are comfortably on top despite the $1.25 million bonus paid in overtime, Mehta will have little time to work with due to some key extensions.
Here’s where the following major contracts are projected to land:
Pending Free Agent (2026 UFA/RFA)
- Arseny Gritsyuk:
- Long-term: four years at $5.890 million AAV
- Short term: two years at $3.046 million AAV
- Simon German:
- Long term: seven years at $8.061 million AAV
- Short term: two years at $4.473 million AAV
- Paul Couture: Three years at $2.325 million AAV
- Nico Dawes: $892,500 for one year
Extension-Eligible (July 1, 2026 – FA July 1, 2027)
These players can be given extensions starting July 1, but have one year left on their contracts and won’t hit free agency until 2027:
- Nico Hischier: $11.459 million AAV at eight years.
- Dawson Mercer:
- Long-term: six years at $7.839 million AAV
- Short: Two years at $5.762 million AAV
- Cody Glass: Three years at $4.302 million AAV
- Brandon Dillon: $3.814 million, one year
- Stefan Noesen: $1,122 million in one year
- Seamus Casey: $940,500 for one year
Looking towards 2027-28
Let’s assume the salary cap is projected to be $113,500,000 in 2027-28. At that time, the Devils are projected to have $47,125,000 in cap space (based on current commitments). Thus, if the Devils sign all of the above extensions – applying long-term deals to those with long-term projections – New Jersey will have only $1,370,500 in cap space on July 1, 2027.
What does it mean for devils
With $11.875 million in projected cap space for 2026-27, the Devils have ample room to pursue most or all of the major free agents and extension eligible players without drastic roster surgery. Of course, this doesn’t mean players who are probably going to walk like Denis Cholovsky and Evgeni Dadonov.
The big commitments – Hischier (up $11.459 million), Nemec (up $8.061 million), Gritsyuk (up $5.89 million), and Mercer (up $7.839 million) – will consume a large portion of that space.
This situation perfectly reflects the rapid inflation in the NHL salary cap. This cap is projected to increase from $104 million in 2026–27 to $113.5 million in 2027–28, resulting in a large jump in available dollars. Through 2027-28, the Devils are currently projected to have approximately $47.125 million in cap space – more than four times the room they will have this upcoming summer.
That said, it is not realistic to retain every pending free agent and extension-eligible player. The Devils will have to make choices – allowing some depth players to walk or move while prioritizing key pieces. Even with strong cap inflation, the money can disappear quickly after an extension is signed. Expect Mehta to be selective this summer and possibly look for ways to shed salary from existing contracts to create more breathing room.
Overall, the projections are encouraging for New Jersey. However, if the Devils are looking for outside help, Mehta will have to find ways to shed some of the burden.
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