Introduction

Welcome back and thanks for sticking around! Last time we started on the journey of ranking every Devils rookie from this season and got to number five. So, how do the rest of the guys stack up?

#4 – Nolan Foote

Statistics: 7 GP, 3 G, 1 A, 4 PTS, 10:22 TOI/GP

Here’s a big riser from last year’s list! Nolan Foote was placed at ninth last season after a somewhat disappointing stint. After a couple games with the big club in the middle portion of the season, his fate was looking to be similar this year. However, in his final call-up with just five games to go, Foote finally showed why he was so coveted when acquired from Tampa Bay. 

In his final three games of the season, the 21-year-old rookie collected three goals and a primary assist in 13:44 of average ice time. If you want to look at possession numbers in those three games he had a five-on-five Corsi-for percentage (5v5 CF%) of 59.00 and five-on-five expected goals-for percentage (xGF) of 65.00.

If that is his audition for next season then it is an impressive one. It definitely has some Devils’ fans considering him as a vital part of the future. Something that may have not been the case just a few weeks ago.

#3 – Colton White

Statistics: 27 GP, 0 G, 4 A, 4 PTS, 13:15 TOI/GP

Colton White being this high up on the list may be surprising, but he was solid out there. Nothing flashy, but whenever he was inserted in the lineup, he was a consistent puck-moving, bottom-pair defenseman.

White made the team out of camp this season after a multitude of injuries during training camp. He collected his first NHL point in his second game of the season. He only tallied three more points in his 25 other games, but the now 25-year-old rookie was decent at both creating and preventing chances in a sheltered role.

Will White be a regular in the NHL? No, probably not. Though he can certainly be a very good seventh defenseman that can hop into the lineup when an injury occurs.

#2 – Fabian Zetterlund

Statistics: 14 GP, 3 G, 5 A, 8 PTS, 13:21 TOI/GP

Zetterlund had a short-lived, but fine call-up early in the season. However, after continuing to dominate with Utica in the American Hockey League and the Devils falling out of the playoff race, he was called up for another, more extensive look. In those final 11 games of the season, Zetterlund was great. He collected eight points in his final 10 games of the season including three multi-point outings.

Outside of the base stats, Zetterlund passed the eye-test with his nice hands, wicked-shot and fantastic celebrations. On the analytical side of things, Zetterlund collected a 52.68 CF% and a 61.75 xG%. Obviously nothing is set in stone, but it seems likely that Zetterlund could make the Devils’ opening night roster right off the bat next season.

#1 – Dawson Mercer

Statistics: 82 GP, 17 G, 25 A, 42 PTS, 16:32 TOI/GP

After a rookie tournament where Dawson Mercer was possibly the best prospect, and training camp where he blew everyone away, Mercer was the first round pick from 2020 to make the team. Not highly-touted prospect Alexander Holtz or defenseman Shakhir Mukhamadullin.

He sparkled early on while playing mostly with Jesper Bratt and Andreas Johnsson, however, his production slowed down afterwards. Mercer still had a solid rookie year, one where he will surely garner some votes for the Calder Trophy. However, there are still definitely some questions to answer with him long-term.

One of those questions being where exactly he fits into the lineup. He’s too skilled to be stuck as a third-line center and looked good as a wing in the top-six. But, at the same time, finding a winger is a lot easier than finding a center of his caliber. It’s no question that he is going to be an important piece to the core long-term. We’ll just have to wait and see what exactly Dawson Mercer is going to be in that core.

All statistics are via the NHL and Natural Stat Trick.