Ondrej Palat is heading into the 2025-26 season with the New Jersey Devils under considerable scrutiny. After a less than stellar 2024-25 campaign, the veteran forward will be looking to demonstrate that he can still be a valuable asset to the team.
Palat, born on March 28, 1991, is currently under a 5-year, $30 million contract with the Devils, carrying a $6 million cap hit per season. His contract, signed in 2022, expires at the end of the 2026-27 season, at which point he will become an unrestricted free agent. In the 2025-26 season, Palat will earn a base salary of $3.95 million and a signing bonus of $1 million. The contract also included a modified no-trade clause that went into effect July 1, 2025, allowing him to submit a list of 10 teams he cannot be traded to.
Expectations were high when the Devils signed Palat, a proven two-time Stanley Cup champion with the Tampa Bay Lightning. General manager Tom Fitzgerald hoped that Palat's experience and leadership would benefit the team. However, Palat’s performance has not consistently aligned with his $6 million average annual value (AAV).
In 77 games during the 2024-25 season, Palat recorded 15 goals and 13 assists for a total of 28 points, along with a minus-5 rating. This followed a 2023-24 season where he tallied 11 goals and 20 assists for 31 points in 71 games. These numbers represent a decline from his peak performance with the Lightning, where he consistently contributed over 40 points per season. His lowest point per game pace was .36 since 2012-2013.
Several factors have contributed to the assessment of Palat's performance. His shots for and expected goals percentages have been declining since 2022. In 5-on-5 situations, his high-danger goals for percentage has decreased, and he has generated fewer high-danger scoring chances. He also recorded more than double the number of giveaways compared to the previous season, coupled with a negative on-ice expected goal differential. During the 2025 playoffs, Palat's performance was underwhelming, with only two assists in five games.
Some analysts suggest that Palat has struggled to find consistent chemistry with his linemates, and his on-ice impact has been a net negative on various line combinations. Others point out that while he showed flashes of his former self, particularly during the playoffs, his overall contribution has not justified his cap hit. Despite these criticisms, Palat's experience and hockey sense could still provide value to the Devils. He is known for his strong two-way play and has been a top-four finisher for the Selke Trophy in the past.
Looking ahead to the 2025-26 season, Palat is under pressure to prove that he can still be a difference-maker for the Devils. He will be aiming to increase his offensive output and provide valuable leadership to the team. The Devils may also seek to leverage Palat's experience in a trade to free up cap space, especially with his modified no-trade clause in effect.
With the 2025-26 season fast approaching, Palat faces a critical juncture in his career with the New Jersey Devils. He will need to demonstrate that he can regain his form and contribute meaningfully to the team's success, or the Devils may explore other options to optimize their roster and cap situation.
