Devils 2026-27 Projection: Evan Rodrigues’s Role and Expectations

The New Jersey Devils are under significant pressure heading into the 2026-27 campaign. Despite possessing a talented roster, the team faltered late last season and missed the playoffs. The franchise is intent on avoiding a repeat of that disappointing collapse.

Every player must fulfill a specific role, and as we approach the new season, it is time to forecast individual performances as we progress through the Devils’ forward projections. Next in our series is newly acquired forward Evan Rodrigues.

2025-26 Performance

Rodrigues spent the entire 2025-26 season with the Florida Panthers. He appeared in 69 games, tallying 31 points through 11 goals and 20 assists. His season came to an abrupt end on March 26 due to a finger fracture sustained just 49 seconds into a game against the Minnesota Wild.

Rodrigues’ offensive production last season was inconsistent; he would post points in a few games, followed by extended droughts without a single tally, creating a repetitive cycle of brief success and prolonged silence.

Although the injury was certainly an unwelcome way to end his season, Rodrigues still delivered a respectable overall performance in 2025-26.

Expectations for the 2026-27 Season

Rodrigues was traded to the Devils on June 30 as part of a multi-player package that included Jesper Boqvist and Ben Steeves, with the Panthers receiving Jacob Markstrom and Angus Crookshank in return. This deal was just one of several moves the Devils made to bolster their forward corps during the offseason, which also included the acquisitions of Anthony Mantha and Luke Evangelista.

While Rodrigues frequently played on the Panthers’ top six, he will likely slot into the Devils’ bottom six. His veteran presence will be invaluable for mentoring younger talent, such as Arseny Gritsyuk, who will also occupy a bottom-six role. Having averaged 17:00 of ice time last season, Rodrigues provides reliable depth and manages a substantial workload on the lower lines.

Rodrigues is in the final year of a four-year contract carrying a $3.075 million average annual value. He will become an unrestricted free agent at the conclusion of the 2026-27 season at age 33. Naturally, Rodrigues will aim to deliver strong performances to secure a new deal, knowing that the pressure of proving himself is a familiar hurdle for many NHL veterans. Hopefully, he will rise to the occasion rather than falter under the weight of expectation.

Upcoming Career Milestones

If Rodrigues can remain healthy and play in all 84 games during the 2026-27 season, the final game will mark his 700th NHL career game. Reaching this milestone would be a wonderful way to conclude the season.

Rodrigues is nearing his 300th career point, trailing by just 30 tallies. Having recently surpassed the 100-goal mark with 107 goals, reaching the 200-goal plateau this season seems improbable. However, he is only 37 assists shy of the 200-assist mark, making the achievement of this career milestone a distinct possibility during the 2026-27 campaign.

Projections for the 2026-27 Season

My bold prediction is that Rodrigues will surpass the 40-point mark this season. He achieved this feat once in 2021-22 with the Pittsburgh Penguins, and in the two subsequent seasons, he tallied 39 points each year.

Despite his increasing age, a fresh change of scenery should benefit Rodrigues. He will be a valuable addition to the Devils’ bottom six, contributing both as a reliable point producer and as a veteran mentor for the rookies. A second consecutive 40-plus point season appears entirely feasible.

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