1995–96 New Jersey Devils season
The 1995–96 New Jersey Devils season was the 22nd season for the National Hockey League franchise that was established on June 11, 1974, and 14th season since the franchise relocated from Colorado prior to the 1982–83 NHL season. After winning the Stanley Cup in the previous season, and qualifying for the playoffs for six seasons, the team failed to make the playoffs for the first time since 1989, losing their last game of the season with a chance to qualify for the postseason. They became the first defending Stanley Cup champions to fail to make the playoffs since the 1969–70 Montreal Canadiens.
Regular season
The Devils were the least penalized team during the regular season, being shorthanded only 319 times. They also had the lowest shooting percentage in the NHL, scoring only 215 goals on 2,636 shots.Schedule and results
Legend:Player statistics
Scoring
Position abbreviations: C = Center; D = Defense; G = Goaltender; LW = Left wing; RW = Right wing = Joined team via a transaction during the season. Stats reflect time with the Devils only.- '' = Left team via a transaction during the season. Stats reflect time with the Devils only.''
Goaltending
- '' = Left team via a transaction during the season. Stats reflect time with the Devils only.''
Draft picks
New Jersey's picks at the 1995 NHL entry draft, held in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, at Edmonton Coliseum.| Rd # | Pick # | Player | Nat | Pos | Team | Notes |
| 1 | 18 | Petr Sykora |  Czech Republic |