Introduction
As was mentioned in the first article of this two-part series, the New Jersey Devils are in the midst of their All-Star break. So we thought it would be a great time to enlighten you on how several of their top prospects have fared so far this season.
Our first article included prospects in the AHL and ECHL, you can find this here. This second article takes you in-depth on all the other prospects the Devils have across leagues such as the OHL, USHL, and various others. Next to each player below is my ranking of them among the top-25 in the Devils’ system. You can find my full top-25 rankings at the very bottom of the article.
NCAA
Reilly Walsh #3
The Devils have an extremely strong group of prospects playing in the NCAA, and this starts with 20-year-old defenseman Reilly Walsh. The junior at Harvard University has been extremely impressive this season — especially on the offensive end. Through 17 games played, he has five goals and 11 assists for a total of 16 points. This total is one of the highest in the nation for qualified defensemen.
When ex-teammate Adam Fox decided to forgo his senior season, Walsh got the opportunity to step up, and he has done exactly that. Walsh even received preseason consideration for the Hobey Baker Award, which is the most prestigious award one can receive in college. The Devils certainly got a good one when they selected him in the third round three years ago. He should be regarded as one of the premier prospects in the pipeline.
Tyce Thompson #5
In what is the strongest season of any Devils’ prospect, Providence sophomore Tyce Thompson has taken the NCAA by storm. After registering 25 points in 42 games a season ago, Thompson already has 37 (17G, 20A) in only 25 games played. This total puts him second in the NCAA, third in points per game at 1.48, and his 17 goals lead the nation. Also worth noting, Thompson is receiving strong consideration for the Hobey Baker Award.
It has been a magical season for Thompson, and as the Friars get ready for the second part of their season, hopefully, this terrific output continues. As mentioned above, Thompson is by-far having the most impressive season of any Devils’ prospect, which is why he flew up many people’s rankings in the system. If this play continues, the fourth-round pick from last year seems like a total steal.
Aarne Talvitie #9
The Finnish forward is in his second season at Penn State University and has regressed slightly after an injury suffered during the 2019 World Junior Championship (WJC). This knee injury forced him to miss a large chunk of time. The injury also prevented Talvitie from leading Finland in this years’ WJC. However, he has been able to play in 20 games at Penn State this season, where he has tallied 15 points (five goals, 10 assists).
Penn State is once again one of the best teams in the NCAA, so we will get to see an extended look at Talvitie as the college hockey season continues. If it was not for his injury, he would be regarded as one of the Devils’ premier prospects after dominating college hockey and the WJC last season. Even though he has slightly regressed this season, he should still be regarded as a top-10 prospect in the Devils’ system.
Patrick Moynihan #21
Last year’s sixth-round selection seemed like an interesting pick given the slight underproduction in the United States Developmental League. However, as a freshman at Providence College, Moynihan has impressed. Through 25 games, he has 16 points (nine goals, seven assists) as well as a +3 rating. Along with teammate Tyce Thompson, the Friars are in a great spot to contend.
Before the season, Moynihan would most likely be regarded by many as well outside the top 25 in the Devils’ pool of prospects. He does have a lot of work to do, as he is only 18-years old and a raw talent. But after a solid start to his college career, he should be regarded inside the top-25.
USHL
Akira Schmid #19
The 19-year old, former fifth-round selection was traded from the Omaha Lancers to the Sioux City Musketeers in the USHL just a couple weeks ago. While in Omaha, Schmid struggled this season (.891 save percentage), however, he was battling a lower-body injury. Now, a part of the Musketeers, Schmid has only made one start since coming back from the WJC. In this start, he allowed only one goal and contributed a .966 save percentage. Hopefully, he can build on this performance and return to the form he was in last season, where he owned a .926 save percentage in 37 games with Omaha.
Given the Devils’ have an extremely barren goaltending prospect pool, Schmid must continue to develop. As of now, he should be regarded as the Devils’ top goaltending prospect — especially given the struggles Gilles Senn has experienced — as well as a top-20 prospect in the organization.
Cole Brady NR
Last year’s fifth-round pick is one of the Devils’ rawest prospects, as Brady is only 18 years old. So far this season in the USHL, he has played 26 games for the second-place Fargo Force. In these games, he has contributed a .902 save percentage and a 2.82 goals against average. Brady is set to attend Arizona State University next year, and this is when we will get a better picture of how he stacks up in the Devils’ system, as well as get an idea on how to project his potential.
OHL
Kevin Bahl #6
The massive 6-foot-6 defenseman was the centerpiece in the Taylor Hall trade. The former second-round pick of the Arizona Coyotes currently serves as a top-pairing defenseman for the Ottawa 67’s of the OHL. He also appeared for Team Canada in this year’s WJC while playing a valuable role in their gold medal run. Through 33 games, Bahl has 21 points (five goals, 16 assists) and a +22 rating, which is second among defenseman on the team.
Due to his recent performance — both in the OHL and at the WJC — it seems the Devils got slightly more than they expected. As of now, projections of a borderline top-four defenseman and premier penalty killer seems fair. Bahl — along with Harvard defenseman Reilly Walsh — should rival as the Devils’ top defensive prospect for the next few seasons after Ty Smith makes his NHL debut next season.
Nikita Okhotyuk #13
Like Bahl, last year’s second-round pick also plays for the OHL’s Ottawa 67’s. Okhotyuk serves in a second-paring role and has tallied 11 points (one goal, 10 assists) as well as a +16 in only 19 games played. The 67’s are one of the top teams in the OHL this season, so we can count on getting an extended look at him, as well as his other Devils’ teammates.
Early signs show great output for the 19-year-old. He still has ways to go before he sees the red and black, but if he continues developing at his current pace I would expect him to become a top-10 prospect for the Devils in the future.
Mitchell Hoelscher #15
The 2018 sixth-round selection has shot up the Devils’ prospect board as he has been a beneficiary of a great 67’s team this season. Along with teammates Bahl and Okhotyuk, Hoelscher has excelled in a 67’s jersey this season, compiling 53 points (26G, 27A) in 41 games. After only tallying 40 points in 68 games last season, and 28 the year before it, it is safe to say he has taken a significant leap in his game.
As a second-line center on a team that is one of the best in the OHL, I would expect this rapid development to continue. Hoelscher is even being recognized by the league for his outstanding play, as he was named the OHL player of the week on Jan. 20 after racking up eight points in three games (see above). Expect his rapid climb up the Devils’ prospect rankings to continue.
WHL
Ty Smith #1
The number one prospect in the Devils’ organization is Spokane Chiefs’ top defenseman, Ty Smith. After just missing the cut at the beginning of the season — which now seems like a mistake — Smith has continued to develop in the WHL. He was also one of Team Canada’s top defenseman at the WJC. His point total for Spokane — 23 in 25 games — has slightly regressed, but he still plays in all situations for the team and is the team’s captain.
There is no doubt that Smith is both the Devils’ top prospect and will be in a New Jersey Devils’ uniform next season. The 19-year-old possesses all the qualities sought after in a top offensive defenseman with prowess on the power play. As Devils’ fans, we should all be excited about Smith’s upcoming debut, as well as his continued development.
Russia
Daniil Misyul #16
The 19-year-old Russian defenseman was predicted by many to play in each level of the Russian hockey league system. However, he has been able to stay in Russia’s top league — the KHL — so far this season. Misyul has played 30 games for the Lokomotiv Yaroslavl, tallying only two points, each of which goals.
Last year’s third-round pick is extremely hard to evaluate, as the KHL does not get a ton of exposure here in North America. However, given Misyul has remained at the KHL-level, it makes you conclude he has been decent. For now, he should be regarded just inside the top-20 in the Devils’ system.
Arseni Gritsyuk #22
Last year’s fifth-round selection is probably someone most Devils’ fans have never heard of. If I were you, I would get acclimated with the name. Gritsyuk has completely dominated the MHL, which is the Russia-equivalent of junior hockey in Canada. He was second on his team with 42 points (19G, 23A) in 45 games and also owns a team-leading +23 rating. For this performance, Gritsyuk was recently promoted to the VHL – the Russian-league equivalent of the AHL – where he has only played two games, but already has three points (one goal, two assists) and a +3 rating.
For a prospect many do not know about, he has been shattering expectations. As of now, I would include Gritsyuk as a top-25 prospect in the Devils’ system. As he develops and plays against tougher opponents this can certainly change.
Sweden
Nikola Pasic #20
The 5-foot-10 Swedish forward was the Devils’ seventh-round selection in last year’s draft. Many were surprised he fell that far, as he has dominated in almost every league he has played in. This theme has continued this season, as he has 27 points (seven goals, 20 assists) in 33 games while playing for BIK Karlskoga of the Allsvenskan, which is the second-tier league in the Swedish hockey system. Pasic also represented Team Sweden at the WJC this year.
Like fellow prospect Arseni Gritsyuk, Pasic has risen fast up the Devils’ prospect rankings. He also is extremely young and has yet to play in his country’s top league. It’ll be interesting to see how he fairs once he receives this promotion, but until then I would regard him as a top-20 prospect in the Devils’ system.
Full Top-25 Rankings
(Those designated with a * were not included in either prospect report)
- Ty Smith (WHL)
- Michael McLeod (AHL)
- Reilly Walsh (NCAA)
- Joey Anderson (AHL)
- Tyce Thompson (NCAA)
- Kevin Bahl (OHL)
- Mikhail Maltsev (AHL)
- Nick Merkley (AHL)
- Aarne Talvitie (NCAA)
- Fabian Zetterlund (AHL)*
- Nathan Bastian (AHL)
- Nate Schnarr (AHL)
- Nikita Okhotyuk (OHL)
- Brett Seney (AHL)
- Mitchell Hoelscher (OHL)
- Daniil Misyul (KHL)
- Josh Jacobs (AHL)
- Graeme Clarke (OHL)*
- Akira Schmid (USHL)
- Nikola Pasic (Allsvenskan)
- Patrick Moynihan (OHL)
- Arseni Gritsyuk (VHL)
- Matthew Hellickson (NCAA)*
- Gilles Senn (AHL)
- Nikita Popugaev (ECHL)