The Philadelphia Flyers and New Jersey Devils open their preseason schedules against each other on October 1, each debuting major offseason additions. Both teams are looking to build momentum for the 2026-27 season.
The Philadelphia Flyers and New Jersey Devils kick off their preseason schedules with a Metropolitan Division showdown on October 1 at Prudential Center. The Flyers enter as the second-place team in the division with a revamped core, while the Devils sit seventh but have made aggressive moves to close the gap. This game offers an early look at how each team’s offseason additions—Trevor Zegras for Philadelphia, Anthony Mantha and potentially Barrett Hayton for New Jersey—mesh on the ice. With both teams eager to start strong, the edge may go to the Flyers’ offensive firepower, but the Devils’ captain Nico Hischier provides steady leadership that could swing a tight exhibition contest.
Philadelphia Flyers: High-Powered Offense Takes Center Stage
The Flyers made headlines this offseason by locking in their core, most notably re-signing Trevor Zegras to a four-year deal worth $9.125 million annually, making him the team’s highest-paid player. Zegras is expected to be the focal point of an offense that already features young talent like Gavin McKenna, who was highlighted in NHL rookie roundtables. Philadelphia also secured defenseman Jamie Drysdale with a four-year, $26 million contract, ensuring stability on the blue line. The Flyers’ aggressive pursuit of Leo Carlsson via a five-year, $90 million offer sheet—which the Ducks matched—signals their win-now mentality, even if they ultimately missed out on the 21-year-old center. With a second-place standing in the Metropolitan Division already in the books, the Flyers will look to validate their offseason moves with a strong preseason showing.
New Jersey Devils: Captain’s Extension Anchors Aggressive Summer
The Devils have been equally busy, locking up captain Nico Hischier to a five-year, $58.5 million extension that runs through the 2030-31 season. Hischier, entering his 10th NHL season, remains the heart of the franchise. New Jersey also added veteran scoring in Anthony Mantha on a two-year, $9.5 million deal, and tendered a $4.78 million offer sheet to Utah’s Barrett Hayton, a restricted free agent forward. If the Mammoth decline to match, Hayton would join a Devils squad looking to bolster its top-six. The team also secured one of last season’s top rookies, Arseny Gritsyuk, with a three-year contract. With a seventh-place standing in the early division picture, the Devils are clearly aiming to climb, and this preseason game offers a chance to build chemistry among the new pieces.
Head-to-Head: Offense vs. Leadership
The most intriguing battle in this matchup is the contrast between the Flyers’ high-ceiling offense and the Devils’ steady, captain-led structure. Philadelphia’s forward group, led by Zegras and the promising McKenna, could overwhelm a Devils defense that is still integrating changes. However, New Jersey’s Hischier is a two-way force who can neutralize top lines, and Mantha’s size adds a physical element that could disrupt the Flyers’ rhythm. Special teams could be a deciding factor in a preseason game where depth players get extended ice time. Both teams have question marks in net, as neither has a clear-cut starter for the exhibition slate, making goaltending an unpredictable variable.
Key Factors to Watch
- Zegras’s chemistry with new linemates and his ability to drive offense early.
- Hischier’s leadership on the ice and how the Devils respond to his extension.
- Preseason line combinations—coaches will experiment, but the top pairings will set the tone.
- Special teams—power-play and penalty-kill units often reveal early-season readiness.
- Goaltending battles—both teams will likely split time, giving backups a chance to stake a claim.
Prediction
Expect a competitive but ultimately high-scoring preseason opener. The Flyers’ offensive depth and the Devils’ defensive structure should produce an entertaining game, but Philadelphia’s superior forward talent gives them the edge. Look for the Flyers to win a close one, 4-3, as Zegras notches a goal and an assist to announce his new deal.
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