New Jersey Devils

Maybe Luke Evangelista Found a Happy Home in New Jersey

Luke Evangelista may have found the perfect opportunity in New Jersey—and his preseason finale offered a pretty good hint.

by
Old Prof
September 27, 2026

Luke Evangelista might have found exactly what he needed in New Jersey. The 24-year-old winger is coming off a pretty encouraging season in Nashville, putting up a career-high 56 points with 12 goals and 44 assists. That’s a strong season on its own. But what makes this interesting is what’s waiting for him in New Jersey.

After being traded to the Devils, Evangelista appears set to start the 2026-27 season on the top line with Timo Meier and Nico Hischier. He’s also getting time on the team’s first power-play unit. That could be a pretty big deal. And if his preseason finale was any indication, Evangelista is already starting to look comfortable in his new surroundings.

Evangelista Is Already Showing What He Can Do

He scored twice in New Jersey’s 4-1 win over the Islanders. The first came on the power play, when Jack Hughes found him with a nice feed. Later, Evangelista cleaned up a rebound at the right post for his second goal of the night. Two goals, two different ways to score. And that should draw fans’ attention.

Evangelista found a soft spot in the slot on one goal and went to the net on the other. He looked for open ice, got into scoring areas, and made himself available around the crease. That’s the kind of stuff that can turn a good playmaker into a much more dangerous scorer.

The obvious question now is whether Evangelista can turn this opportunity into a real breakout season. There’s certainly a case for it.

Evangelista Has Shown He Can Produce With Consistency

He already showed last season that he can produce consistently. Now he gets to play with better offensive players and, at least to start, he appears to have a pretty important role. Hischier and Meier should give him plenty of even-strength opportunities, while working with Hughes on the power play could open up another whole world of possibilities.

And maybe that’s the real story here. Evangelista doesn’t necessarily have to become a completely different player. He just needs a situation that lets him do more of what he already does well.

He can pass. He sees the ice. He has good offensive instincts. Now he has better linemates, more responsibility and a coaching staff that appears ready to give him the opportunity.

One preseason game obviously doesn’t guarantee a breakout season. But sometimes you can see the pieces starting to fit. If Evangelista stays healthy and holds onto those top-line and power-play minutes, a big jump from last year’s 56 points—especially in goals—doesn’t seem unrealistic.

Maybe New Jersey didn’t just acquire Luke Evangelista. Maybe it found the place where he can finally show what he can really do.