New Jersey
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.
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.
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.
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)
PATERSON, New Jersey (WABC) — One person was killed and three others were injured in a shooting in Paterson.
The violence erupted around 6:30 p.m. Saturday near the intersection of East 29th Street and 10th Avenue.
Children nearby gasped in horror at the sound of rapid gunfire. They were just about to sing Happy Birthday to their 13-year-old friend at her backyard party, but instead of blowing out the candles, they ducked for cover when they heard gunshots in the distance.
“Just hearing it – it was scary to witness, to hear. Especially on my birthday. Like a time I’m trying to play with my friends, get together,” said the 13-year-old.
She also says she had a friend who was there who saw what happened.
“He was going to the bodega – he went running back, but he had saw two people come out of a car and then shoot, but it was like an automatic gun,” she added.
Bystanders watched in shock and panic as first responders treated the victims. One of them was lying in the street next to a car and another was on the ground next to a bicycle.
Local councilman Luis Velez says the City of Paterson has taken measures to reduce crime in this part of town – what he calls a ‘hotspot’ — in part by installing security cameras. He is encouraging the community to cooperate.
“Paterson Police is doing their job as I know, they’re doing a great job to reduce crime, but one again we, the police, nobody, not even the news media has a crystal ball to say this is going to happen now,” Velez said, “Some people see corners getting built up, they see activities and they’re afraid to come out and say something, but our police department is trained to keep it confidential and approach to bring the quality of life in this area.”
The 13-year-old hopes her next birthday party is not ruined by the sound of gunshots.
“First we thought it was fireworks, but then we heard sirens and everyone started going home because they were scared,” she added.
Copyright © 2026 WABC-TV. All Rights Reserved.
Let’s be honest, we didn’t need a national list to tell us this. New Jersey has the best restaurants, the best food, and some of the most talented chefs anywhere in America.
It’s something locals have been saying forever, and now the rest of the country is catching up. Still, it’s always nice to see that recognition on a big stage.
We Already Knew New Jersey Was the Best
USA TODAY’s 2026 Restaurants of the Year list highlights standout dining destinations across the country.
From humble roadside gems to chef-driven hotspots earning major buzz, the list celebrates places that truly stand out, and New Jersey showed up in a big way.
Three New Jersey Spots Earn National Recognition
This year, three Garden State restaurants made the prestigious list:
- The Pasta Shop – Denville
- Ram & Rooster – Metuchen
- Anjelica’s – Sea Bright
And yes, that includes a Jersey Shore favorite, because of course it does.
These restaurants represent everything people love about dining in New Jersey, quality, creativity, and flavors that keep you coming back.
A Jersey Shore Standout Shines
There’s something special about seeing a Jersey Shore restaurant included among the best in America. It’s not just about great food, it’s about the full experience, the atmosphere, and that unmistakable local charm.
Anjelica’s in Sea Bright earning a spot only reinforces what shore locals already know: some of the best meals you’ll ever have are right here, close to home.
No Surprise, Just Well-Deserved
At the end of the day, this recognition feels less like a surprise and more like confirmation. New Jersey’s food scene has always been top-tier, and lists like this just make it official.
Keep Reading: Beloved New Jersey Restaurant is Closing
So whether you’re heading to Denville, Metuchen, or down the shore, you already know, you’re in for something special.
PHOTOS: Step Inside a 1970s Kitchen — 34 Things You’ll Recognize
From Tupperware jugs (you know the ones) to those ever-present knife sharpeners, let’s take a nostalgic trip back to the quintessential ’70s kitchen.
Gallery Credit: Stephen Lenz
If You Grew Up in the ’70s and ’80s, These Foods Were Super Fancy
From Babybels to Toblerone chocolate, take a nostalgic bite out of these ‘fancy’ childhood foods that made us feel way more elegant than we really were.
Gallery Credit: Stephen Lenz
FIFA and New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill have become embroiled in a war of words this past week as the prospect of $150 train tickets to travel to World Cup games and plans to close parts of New York’s Penn Station have angered residents.
The recent uproar began after reports surfaced April 6 that parts of Penn Station would be closed to NJ Transit commuters not attending World Cup games for four hours before kickoff during the eight matches at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium.
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Moreover, round-trip train tickets between Penn Station in Manhattan and MetLife Stadium, where the final of the FIFA World Cup is set to be played, were announced by NJ Transit to come in at $150 per person.
A return ride on the same line typically costs $12.90, according to NJ Transit.
The FIFA World Cup Trophy is displayed during the Los Angeles stop of The FIFA World Cup 26 Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola at LA Live in Los Angeles on March 24, 2026.
In a press release on April 17, Sherrill said the move to increase prices was caused by FIFA’s decision to eliminate parking at MetLife Stadium. The Democratic governor said price increases happened because FIFA did not agree to cover the costs of transporting fans.
“We are committed to ensuring costs are shared fairly. As I have said repeatedly, FIFA should cover the cost of transporting its fans. If it won’t, we will not be subsidizing World Cup ticket holders on the backs of New Jerseyans who rely on NJ TRANSIT every day,” Sherrill said.
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More: Going to World Cup at MetLife Stadium? Expect $150 train tickets and no parking
FIFA, on the other hand, has said the price increase would have a “chilling effect” on fans attending games in New Jersey and said Sherrill’s demands asking FIFA to absorb transportation costs for fans were “unprecedented.”
“Elevated fares inevitably push fans toward alternative transportation options. This increases concerns of congestion, late arrivals, and creates broader ripple effects that ultimately diminish the economic benefit and lasting legacy the entire region stands to gain from hosting the World Cup,” Heimo Schirgi, COO for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, said in a statement to USA TODAY.
The NJ Transit logo is seen in the lobby of the New Jersey Transit headquarters ahead of a press briefing on the New York/New Jersey FIFA World Cup 2026 regional mobility plan in Newark, New Jersey on April 17, 2026.
What are other cities doing with World Cup transportation?
New Jersey has not been the only place where transportation costs have been the subject of discussion ahead of the World Cup. In Boston, round-trip train train tickets on the MBTA from Boston’s South Station to Gillette Stadium are being sold for $80.
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Special event trains to Foxborough for New England Patriots NFL games and New England Revolution MLS matches are usually $20 for a round trip, according to local news station CBS Boston.
Other cities have not seen increases like the ones in New Jersey and Boston. In Atlanta, for example, train fares on the city’s MARTA will be $2.50 per ride, with children able to travel for free with a paying adult.
Kansas City is offering $15 round-trip shuttle rides for fans parking in four different park-and-ride locations, as well as those coming from FIFA’s Fan Festival in the city. Los Angeles, on the other hand, is offering fans a $3.50 round trip train ticket on its Metro Train.
SEPTA in Philadelphia is also keeping its prices low, with fans set to pay the base $2.90 fare for a ride on its Broad Street Line, which takes riders to Lincoln Financial Field, set to host six matches.
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Katie Sobko from USA TODAY Network’s NorthJersey.com contributed to this report.
Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at fernando.cervantes@gannett.com and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: World Cup fans going to MetLife Stadium to pay $150 for NJT ticket
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