Introduction
The New Jersey Devils made a huge move Monday morning. It was something no one necessarily thought was in the works either.
The team announced via their social media networks that an agreement was reached with college defenseman Reilly Walsh. The deal is your typical three-year, entry-level contract. Nonetheless, very exciting to see.
Who is Reilly Walsh?
Reilly Walsh is a 21-year old right-handed defenseman. The American is listed at six-foot and 185 pounds. He played his junior hockey career throughout the United States junior system. Walsh committed to Harvard University and debuted as a freshman in the 2017-18 season. The New Jersey Devils were lucky enough to snag Walsh in the third round of the 2017 NHL Entry Draft.
Throughout his college career, his point output has been exceptional. He had 20 points in 33 games his freshman year and followed that up his sophomore year with 31 in 33 games. This season, he had Hobey Baker aspirations and was regarded by many in the preseason as a possible finalist when the year ends. He did not quite get there but still had a fantastic junior year totaling 27 points in 30 games. In total, he played 96 NCAA games and tallied 27 goals and 51 assists. This is tremendous output for a defenseman.
Projection
Make no mistake about it, Reilly Walsh is going to develop into a solid offensive, puck-moving defenseman. Throughout his career, he has been praised for his offensive skills, and this praise has been rightfully earned. These strong offensively abilities are built on his terrific offensive instincts. He thinks like a forward in the offensive zone, which is a great weapon to have. Especially for any team’s power play.
Walsh was criticized in two areas as a prospective draftee back in 2017: size and defensive consistency. Listed at barely 170 pounds when drafted, Walsh has now bulked up to 185 pounds, so the while there’s still strength to build the size issue is no longer alarming. Defensively, he has also vastly improved, which comes as no surprise. Playing for a prestigious hockey program such as Harvard has certainly helped Walsh polish his defensive skills. Now, I am not saying Walsh is completely sound in his own end, as like any younger prospect, there is still work to do in this area.
Another aspect of Walsh’s game worth speaking about is something that cannot be taught. And that is his extremely high motor, and work ethic. Walsh has been praised for this part of his game for years. And when you get a player in the door that is willing to give it their all, chances are – especially given the skills Walsh holds – the player is going to turn into something special.
As for an actual projection of where Walsh can be down the road. There is no reason why he cannot become a top-four defenseman. He has the skillset, and he has the work ethic to become something the Devils have been in desperate need of: a young, top-four, borderline top-two defenseman who can move the puck, run the power play, and be effective in both ends of the ice. This is exactly the player Reilly Walsh is projecting out to be.
Conclusion
Reilly Walsh is a huge boost to an already stacked prospect pool. His skillset and the fact he was able to be locked down ensures him as a top-three prospect in the Devils’ deep system. Devils’ fans everywhere should be ecstatic that a deal was able to be completed.
Kudos to newly named general manager Tom Fitzgerald. Signing a college player, especially one nearing his senior year, is not always easy. See the Colorado Avalanche and Will Butcher, or even the New Jersey Devils and Alexander Kerfoot. Fitzgerald is off to a great start in his full-time tenure with the Devils.