Another year, another New Jersey Devils’ season poised to end before the post season. Unfortunately, this means some fans may care more about how the team’s prospects are doing than the actual team. Well, with that in mind, let’s explore how each of the Devils’ prospects are doing.
Starting in the AHL, all the way through those prospects overseas. Part one of this series will focus on the AHL forward prospects and each proceeding will encompass all remaining Devils’ prospects.
The AHL: Forwards
Graeme Clarke
The 2019 third-round pick has only played 20 games for the Utica Comets this year due to injury. In these 20 games he has five goals and 10 assists. This point-per-game total of 0.75 is a 29% increase from last year’s 0.58 rate. Since entering the AHL he has done nothing but produce offensively when healthy.
Clarke has a terrific shot that will translate well to the NHL. He is a very gifted player offensively and one of the Devils’ more underrated prospects. As it stands, a ceiling of a top-nine, with a power play prowess appears fair. Unfortunately, a hand injury has kept him out since early January. He should be returning any game now as the injury had an expected recovery of about a month. He will be a huge boost for Utica’s impending playoff run.
Nolan Foote
Foote, to put it lightly, has been one of the bigger disappointments in the Devils’ system so far this year. After a formidable 0.71 point-per-game rate in his first AHL season last year, Foote only has 20 points in 34 games played this season (0.59 rate).
This production has not been bad, per se. Just not where it was expected for someone who appeared prime to become one of the Devils’ better prospects in their system. You can tell it is still there, as Foote has shown signs of solid production both offensively and defensively this season. Especially lately, where he has seven points in his last 10 games – a majority coming in a five or game stretch or so. It’ll be interesting to see if Foote can finish the season and impending playoffs strong.
Alexander Holtz
What a first full North American professional season it has been for Holtz. He has 28 points (13 goals and 15 assists) in only 24 games. The best way to describe the impressiveness of Holtz’s season thus far is his game score per game (GS/G). Per AHL Tracker, Holtz ranks seventh in GS/G in the AHL this season among 662 qualified skaters (minimum 15 games played). Even more impressive, of any player aged 22 or younger, Holtz ranks second in GS/G. He has been terrific for Utica this season.
All these figures check out when watching him on a nightly basis. His shot is certainly as advertised as he has scored some scorcher of goals this season. Additionally, he has shown some aspects of his game that may surprise people. Notably his playmaking ability which has resulted in 15 assists this season.
Holtz is NHL-ready and do not let an underwhelming seven games in the beginning of the season to discourage you. Especially since most of these games came with poor linemates. Get him on a line with either Jack Hughes or Nico Hischier and you’ll see that this AHL production is no fluke.
Nate Schnarr
One of the pieces in the Taylor Hall trade has been one of the Devils’ more surprising prospects in the team’s system this year. Through 29 games, Schnarr has 12 goals and 11 assists which is sixth most on the team. His GS/G of 0.84 ranks 20th among 267 qualified aged 22 or younger skaters in the AHL this season.
Schnarr’s emerged as a valuable offensive present for Utica this season. He is a huge reason for the incredible run they are on. His skills are apparent both offensively and defensively and have resulted in a career-season in the AHL. Unfortunately, injury has him currently sidelined. Although a terrific season, it is yet to be seen if Schnarr will be able to contribute at the next level. For now, a ceiling as a bottom-six center appears likely.
Aaron Talvitie
The former Nittany Lion has stepped into a much larger role with Utica than anticipated this season due to COVID-19, call-ups, and injury. In 37 game played he has 16 points – eight goals and eight assists. After a period of offensive struggle he has been a bit better, totaling five points in his last 10 games played.
After a strong World Junior Championships back in 2018 (seven points in seven games), the hype for Talvitie was large. Unfortunately, he has yet to live up to these once lofty expectations and has played just slightly better than expected for a sixth rounder. As it stands, a solid AHL-caliber player is most likely his ceiling and as a sixth-round pick there is nothing wrong with that.
Fabian Zetterlund
The 22-year old Swede is arguably the most surprising of any Devils’ prospect so far this season. He has lit up the AHL, totaling 16 goals and 17 assists in only 34 games played. This is the second-highest point total on the AHL’s top team and a huge increase of production year-over-year. This season’s 0.97 point-per-game rate is a 137% increase from his first AHL season back in 2019-20 and a 73% increase from last season. Additionally, Zetterlund’s GS/G of 1.02 ranks seventh among 267 qualified aged 22 or younger skaters in the AHL this season. He’s been terrific.
Zetterlund’s game has really come into its own. He has an electric shot and is a pretty solid skater. He is also a joy to watch play. Projecting the ceiling for players who rapidly developed is always a bit difficult. However, as it stands a top-nine/bottom-six ceiling for the former third-round pick seems fair.
What’s Next
Next up in this series will be the second part of the Devils’ AHL prospects – defensemen and goaltenders. Still in the works are other North American skaters and “in-between prospects,” as well as New Jersey’s overseas prospects. So, keep a look out for those.
AHL game score statistics via AHL Tracker.