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Devils' offseason questions: From Jacob Markström to forward options

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Devils' offseason questions: From Jacob Markström to forward options


The New Jersey Devils already answered their biggest question of the offseason, hiring Sheldon Keefe as their head coach. President of hockey operations Tom Fitzgerald, though, is far from done, especially after a disappointing 81-point season.

New Jersey has over $19 million in cap space with which to work, per CapFriendly. Some of that space will almost certainly go to restricted free agent Dawson Mercer, and Fitzgerald also has multiple potential free-agent departures to replace. Still, he’ll have the flexibility to add to a club that won a playoff series in 2023.

Let’s look at five major questions facing the organization heading into the offseason.


Will Fitzgerald make his Mark(ström) in the goalie market?

The Devils tried to go into 2022-23 with the combination of Vitek Vanecek, playoff hero Akira Schmid and Nico Daws. That went poorly: New Jersey finished with the sixth-worst save percentage in the league, and Fitzgerald dealt away Vanecek at the deadline. Schmid, 24, and Daws, 23, spent time in the AHL during the season. Neither was ready for the responsibility of a full-time NHL starter.

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New Jersey took its first steps to address its goaltending shortcomings at the 2024 trade deadline, acquiring Jake Allen from Montreal and Kaapo Kahkonen from San Jose. Kahkonen will likely walk in free agency, but Allen will be back for 2024-25. If all goes to plan for Fitzgerald, he’ll be the Devils’ No. 2: The Devils executive made clear he intends to go “big-game hunting” for a goaltender this summer.

Calgary’s Jacob Markström looks like the potential front-runner to fill the void in New Jersey. When he’s at his best, the 34-year-old is one of the top goalies in the league. He has two years left on his deal with a $6 million cap hit. Fitzgerald reportedly engaged in talks for Markström during the regular season, so it would make sense for those talks to pick up. Though he made clear there is no trade framework complete, The Athletic’s Chris Johnston said on his podcast, “I have to believe the Devils get this done.”

Nashville’s Juuse Saros and Boston’s Linus Ullmark could also make sense as “big-game” targets. Both have one year left on their deals, and Ullmark has a 15-team no-trade list.

The Devils also have to decide how much they’re willing to give up for a goaltender. That brings us to our next question.

What will New Jersey do with the No. 10 pick?

Fitzgerald told NHL.com that he’s open to trading the No. 10 pick for something significant. Perhaps that could be the centerpiece of a goalie trade.

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If New Jersey keeps the No. 10 pick, it has a chance to find a foundational piece. Recent successful No. 10 picks include Mikko Rantanen (2015) and Evan Bouchard (2018). Of course, it’s easier said than done to hit on a pick. Plenty of teams have swung and missed in recent years with selections in that range.

In a recent mock draft by The Athletic’s Scott Wheeler, Corey Pronman and Max Bultman, Pronman picked London’s Sam Dickinson at No. 10.

“I love his role as a matchup defenseman who you can pair with Hughes or Nemec and let them run around making plays,” wrote Pronman, who also mentioned Oshawa’s Beckett Sennecke as someone who could be available in that range.

Who do the Devils target at forward?

New Jersey has holes to fill at forward, especially after moving Tyler Toffoli at the trade deadline. Toffoli would make sense on next year’s team — he had 33 goals last season, 26 of which were with New Jersey — but he wanted a longer-term deal than Fitzgerald felt comfortable giving out ahead of the deadline. That makes a reunion seem unlikely.

Targeting a top-six wing to replace Toffoli would make sense for Fitzgerald. Jake Guentzel is the highest-profile free agent wing on the market. He’ll be 30 at the start of next season, so there’s risk in giving him a long-term deal, especially if it’s around $8 million to $9 million annually. Viktor Arvidsson, Jake DeBrusk and Tyler Bertuzzi are among the others who could make sense as top-six options. The Athletic’s Dom Luszczyszyn recently put together a breakdown of the top wings on the market.

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New Jersey will have to add depth, too. Tomas Nosek and Chris Tierney are pending unrestricted free agents, and the Devils have a hole left by Michael McLeod, who, along with defenseman Cal Foote, was charged with sexual assault in connection with a 2018 incident in London, Ont. Both players were granted an indefinite leave of absence from the team in January.

Could Fitzgerald look for a penalty-killing defenseman?

Brendan Smith, a pending free agent, finished second on the team in short-handed ice time last season. Colin Miller was dealt to Winnipeg at the deadline but still finished sixth in short-handed ice time.

Simon Nemec, who had an impressive rookie season, could see an increased penalty-killing role, and John Marino, Jonas Siegenthaler and Kevin Bahl will be back. But the front office could consider adding someone to help in short-handed situations.

What will Dawson Mercer’s next contract look like?

Mercer’s scoring numbers dipped in 2023-24, but he’s still a promising player. The 22-year-old has already played 246 games, 82 in each of his three NHL seasons, and is fifth in the 2020 draft class in points (131). How much he makes in restricted free agency will eat into the Devils’ cap space. With Mercer coming off a career-worst 33-point season, Evolving-Hockey projects him to get a two-year bridge deal worth $3.8 million annually.

(Photo of Timo Meier taking a shot on Jacob Markström: Sarah Stier / Getty Images)

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Did anyone win Powerball? Winning numbers for Feb. 11, 2026

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Did anyone win Powerball? Winning numbers for Feb. 11, 2026


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Powerball winning numbers are in for the Monday, Feb. 9 drawing with a jackpot that reached an estimated $113 million ($52.0 million cash option).

The winning numbers in Monday’s drawing are 6, 19, 22, 28, and 48, with Powerball number 24.  The Power Play number is 5.

Did anyone win the Powerball jackpot?

No one won the Powerball jackpot.

When is the next drawing of the Powerball?

The next Powerball drawing is Wednesday. Drawings are held at 10:59 p.m. every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.

How late can you buy a Powerball ticket?

In New Jersey, in-store and online ticket sales are available until 9:59 p.m. on the night of the draw.

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What does it cost to play Powerball?

Powerball costs $2 to play. For an additional $1 per play, the Power Play feature can multiply nonjackpot prizes by two, three, four, five or 10 times.

Are you a Powerball winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

All New Jersey Lottery retailers will redeem prizes up to $599.99. For prizes over $599.99, winners can submit winning tickets through the mail or in person at New Jersey Lottery offices. By mail, send a winner claim form, winning lottery ticket and a copy of a government-issued ID to New Jersey Lottery, Attn: Validations, PO Box 041, Trenton, NJ 08625-0041.

Winners can drop off their claim form and winning ticket in person at the New Jersey Lottery office where a secure drop box is available. Claim forms are also available at the office. Hours are Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Lawrence Park Complex, 1333 Brunswick Avenue Circle, Trenton, NJ 08648.

To find a lottery retalier, you can search the NJ lotto website.

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What is the Powerball payout?

The complete guide to winnings is:

  • Match 5 White Balls + Powerball: Jackpot
  • Match 5 White Balls: $1 million
  • Match 4 White Balls + Powerball: $50,000
  • Match 4 White Balls: $100
  • Match 3 White Balls + Powerball: $100
  • Match 3 White Balls: $7
  • Match 2 White Balls + Powerball: $7
  • Match 1 White Ball + Powerball: $4
  • Match Powerball: $4
  • Match 5 White Balls with Power Play: $2 million
  • Match 4 White Balls + Powerball with Power Play: $200,000
  • Match 4 White Balls with Power Play: $400
  • Match 3 White Balls + Powerball with Power Play: $400
  • Match 3 White Balls with Power Play: $28
  • Match 2 White Balls + Powerball with Power Play: $28
  • Match 1 White Ball + Powerball with Power Play: $16
  • Match Powerball with Power Play: $16

What are the odds of winning the Powerball jackpot?

The overall odds of winning the Powerball are 1 in 292.2 million.

How do I find the Powerball winning numbers?

Powerball drawings are broadcast live every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 10:59 p.m. from the Florida Lottery draw studio in Tallahassee. Drawings are also lived streamed on Powerball.com. The winning numbers are posted to the Powerball and New Jersey Lottery websites.



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Man wanted in connection with lewd conduct in Washington Township, police say

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Man wanted in connection with lewd conduct in Washington Township, police say



South Jersey police have released several photos of a man they say is a suspect in multiple incidents of lewd conduct.

The man pictured below is wanted in connection with several incidents that happened around the Washington Way Apartments in Blackwood, New Jersey, according to Washington Township Police.

Suspect wanted in connection with lewd conduct in Washington Township, New Jersey

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Washington Township Police Department


Police said on social media that the incidents typically happened between 3 and 4 a.m. The department did not provide any specifics about what constitutes “lewd conduct” in these cases.

Washington Way residents are encouraged to keep their exterior lights on, make sure doors and windows are locked and report any suspicious activity to police.

Anyone with information on the suspect’s identity is asked to contact Washington Township police.

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What’s next in New Jersey’s special election: From the Politics Desk

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What’s next in New Jersey’s special election: From the Politics Desk


This is the online version of From the Politics Desk, a daily newsletter that brings you the NBC News Politics team’s latest reporting and analysis from the White House, Capitol Hill and the campaign trail.

In today’s edition, we dig into a rush of retirements hitting Congress, with members feeling pressure from all sorts of different angles to move on. Plus, Steve Kornacki digs into what’s coming next after the special Democratic congressional primary in New Jersey.

Sign up to receive this newsletter in your inbox every weekday here.

— Scott Bland

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Members of Congress are fleeing the job at a historically high rate

By Bridget Bowman

Some feel they’ve hit an appropriate retirement age. Others want to tend to their health or their families. Yet more are leaving because they don’t like the workplace.

Add it all together, and members of Congress are heading for the exit at a historically high rate ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, with two more House Republicans adding themselves to a growing roster just last week.

Rep. Barry Loudermilk, R-Ga., announced Wednesday that he was retiring from Congress, while Rep. Mark Amodei, R-Nev., announced Friday that he wouldn’t run for re-election, either. Loudermilk said he wants “to spend more dedicated time with my family,” while Amodei said it was “the right time for Nevada and myself to pass the torch.”

The latest retirements mean 60 members of Congress have decided not to run for re-election this year — 51 House members and nine senators. It’s the most retirements from both chambers combined this century, according to historical data from the Brookings Institution’s Vital Statistics on Congress. That includes lawmakers who are retiring from political life altogether and those leaving their seats to run for other offices, but it doesn’t include members who have resigned or died during the current Congress.

The number of House departures is inching closer to a recent high in 2018, when 52 lawmakers didn’t run for re-election. And, as in 2018, which was a bruising election year for the GOP, more House Republicans are heading for the exits than Democrats.

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Lawmakers can choose to retire for a variety of reasons, including the personal — health issues or long commutes to Washington infringing on time with family — and the political, from chasing opportunities to run for higher offices to weighing the unappealing prospect of being relegated to the minority. And on top of it all, Congress can simply be a frustrating place to work.

Democratic Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi is one of more than two dozen members leaving the House to run for higher office, as he’s running for the open Senate seat in Illinois.

“The chance to be in a body that would, for instance, be able to hold the president accountable, with regard to Supreme Court justices, continue to pursue my agenda with regard to making the American dream possible for people who feel like it’s slipping out of reach right now, making staple items more affordable, it’s too hard to pass up,” Krishnamoorthi recently told NBC News. “So I’m seeking a promotion.”

Asked why so many of his colleagues are retiring, Krishnamoorthi noted that the political arena hasn’t exactly been a pleasant place to be in recent years.

Read more →

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What’s next in New Jersey: A special general election — and another looming primary

Analysis by Steve Kornacki

Former Rep. Tom Malinowski conceded to Analilia Mejia today in the special Democratic primary for New Jersey’s 11th Congressional District, all but ensuring that Mejia will move on to the April general election against Republican Joe Hathaway.

With several thousand ballots still to be counted, NBC News has not projected a winner, but Mejia’s lead is now at 886 votes and has only grown in each update since election night. Mejia, an organizer and activist backed by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., and Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., ran to the left her opponents and lacked the party organizational support traditionally needed to win a Democratic primary in New Jersey.

In the April 16 special election, she will be the clear favorite over Hathaway, who is the mayor of Randolph. Largely suburban in nature, New Jersey’s 11th District, which spans parts of Essex and Morris counties and a small slice of Passaic, backed Kamala Harris by 9 points in 2024 and Joe Biden by 17 points in 2020.

But this is also turf that, in the pre-Trump era, was winnable for Republicans. The general election will test whether Mejia’s left-wing platform and some of her strident rhetoric will cause unease among moderate suburbanites — or whether broader concerns about President Donald Trump will override any hesitations they might have about her.

One big factor working in Mejia’s favor is the clear trend in House special elections since Trump returned to the presidency. All five Democratic nominees so far have posted net gains of double digits over Harris’ 2024 vote shares in their districts.

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The April special election is merely to fill the remaining months of the unexpired term of Mikie Sherrill, who held the seat before she was elected governor. One outstanding question is whether Mejia will face any opposition in the June primary for the full two-year term.

Here, all eyes will be on the pro-Israel group AIPAC and its affiliated super PAC, which played a potentially decisive role in this primary, flooding the airwaves with anti-Malinowski ads. The intended beneficiary of that effort, former Lt. Gov. Tahesha Way, is on course to finish in third place. Given that Mejia has been far more critical of Israel than Malinowski, there’s no question AIPAC would like to keep her out of Congress. The question is: Would an AIPAC-aligned candidate choose to go after Mejia in June — and would AIPAC be ready to spend again (and risk getting more egg on its face)?

Speculation here centers on Way, who during the primary refused to rule out running again in June. Perhaps the prospect of significant financial support would entice her to seek a one-on-one matchup with Mejia, who is on course to get around only 30% of the vote in the special primary. If Way runs, she will need to file paperwork by the end of March, which would be awkward timing given that the special general election will be in full swing then. If Mejia were to underperform in the special election, it might offer Way fodder for June.

But Way will also face enormous pressure from within her party not to go for it. As Malinowski made his concession today, the state Democratic chairman called on the party to unite behind Mejia, and Sherrill herself followed up with an endorsement of Mejia. Quickly, many of the benefits of incumbency are now likely to accrue to Mejia. And Malinowski, in his statement today, also pledged that if there is an AIPAC-backed candidate in June, “I will oppose that candidate and urge my supporters to do so as well.”


🗞️ Today’s other top stories

  • 📝Epstein saga: Under fire for ties to Jeffrey Epstein, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told Congress he had no personal relationship with Epstein and defended having visited his private island. Read more →
  • 🚫In the states: Minnesota gubernatorial candidate Jeff Johnson announced yesterday that he is suspending his campaign after his daughter was found fatally stabbed. Read more →
  • 🍑 Peach State search: The FBI last month raided a Georgia election hub near Atlanta and seized ballots and voter records at the urging of a lawyer who had worked with President Donald Trump to try to overturn the results of the 2020 election, a newly released court record revealed Tuesday. Read more →
  • ⚖️In the courts: The Justice Department again defended the appointment of Lindsey Halligan as an interim U.S. attorney in an appeal of a judge’s dismissal of the indictments against New York Attorney General Letitia James and former FBI Director James Comey. Read more →
  • 🔎I spy: A whistleblower complaint alleging wrongdoing by National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard was based on the intercept of a conversation between two foreign citizens discussing a person close to Trump. Read more →
  • 📃Bring the receipts: The Justice Department’s “Weaponization Working Group” is under pressure to produce a result more than a year after it was formed. Read more →
  • 🗣️Stopping SAVE: Lisa Murkowski of Alaska became the first Republican senator to speak out against the SAVE Act, a Trump-backed election bill that would require proof of citizenship to vote nationwide. Read more →

That’s all From the Politics Desk for now. Today’s newsletter was compiled by Scott Bland and Owen Auston-Babcock.

If you have feedback — likes or dislikes — email us at politicsnewsletter@nbcuni.com

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