Alas, our final installment of our analysis and review of every single New Jersey Devils’ prospect. Thus far, we have examined 28 prospects and have only six remaining. You can find all of the recent profiles linked below:
- AHL Prospects – forwards
- AHL Prospects – defensemen and goaltenders
- North American Prospects
- Overseas Prospects – forwards
Please note, after the release of this article, be on the look out for our overall top-25 rankings of prospects in the system. This will be released on Monday.
Defensemen
Viktor Hurtig
Hurtig is a towering six-foot-six, 19-year old currently playing in Sweden’s under-20 junior system. He has played in 40 games this season, totaling 14 points and a minus-six rating. His best junior season was an under-18 league-year where he had 35 points in only 31 games.
As a former sixth-round pick, and an overaged draftee who many thought won’t be drafted, it appears unlikely he ever makes the leap to North America. However, he does appears to have an interesting skill-set: solid skater with tremendous size who has good posses some good offensive potential. Only time will tell for this late-round draft pick.
Daniil Misyul
The 21-year old Russian now has 125 KHL games under his belt where has 14 points and a plus-seven rating. He has always profiled as a strong skater, who, as a result, should succeed in transition.
As a former third-round pick with six-foot-three size, there is some NHL potential there, especially given how solid of a skater he is. His deal in the KHL expires at the end of the 2022/23 season. So it’ll be interesting to see if the Devils finally bring him over to North America.
Shakir Mukhamadullin
The former 2020 first-round selection has not produced a lick offensively. While only playing about 12-minutes a night, he has not registered a point in his last 10 and only has seven in 34 total games. Luckily, he has excelled in transition and overall has really solid hands and puck control. He still does have some room to grow defensively. Especially if his production offensively is going to be as lackluster as it has been in Russia.
At six-foot-four he does bring a lot of intrigue. Most likely the driving reason why the Devils surprised so many and reached on him so early back in 2020. Bottom-line is his production thus far has not lived up to where he was selected. Hopefully, when he makes the move over to North America in the coming year, this intrigue turns into production. One can only hope.
Topias Vilén
The 2021 fifth-round selection is competing in his second fully Liiga season (top Finnish professional league). The six-foot-one 18-year old has only 13 points in 75 games played.
Luckily, the Liiga produced advanced statistics which will help us further gauge Vilén’s performance. Last season he owned a Corsi-for % (CF%) of 46.70 and a 42.60 rating this season. These ranked 20th (out of 27 qualified) and 15th (out of 24 qualified) on his team, respectively (minimum 20 games played). Worth pointing out, he owned a PDO of 103.4 (sixth-highest on his team) last season and 102.5 (seventh-highest on his team) the previous season.
Vilén’s advanced numbers are nothing to write home about. However, the PDO number do hint at some bad luck. Nonetheless, it is good to see the former fifth-round pick is getting extended time in a good professional league at such a young age. His contract is up after this season, so if New Jersey wishes to bring him over, this may be the time.
Yegor Zaitsev
The former 2017 seventh-round selection is now 23-years old. He is playing in Russia for Dynamo Moskva of the KHL. This is his fifth straight season with the team. Across 255 career KHL games, he has racked up 37 points and 204 penalty minutes.
The above underlying show how strong of an impact he is having in the KHL this season. He’s having a very good season in transition and passing the puck. His expected goal metrics are also strong. He is having a very solid season at a very young age.
Zaitsev is an interesting case. His contract does expire at the end of the year, but given his status as a former seventh-round pick an age it would be a bit surprising seeing him brought over by New Jersey. He has certainly played well enough in arguably the second best professional league in the world. So, a contract would be warranted. Interesting situation to monitor.
Goaltender
Jakub Málek
Málek fulfilled the Devils’ annual goaltender pick during last year’s NHL Entry Draft. Taken in the fourth-round, the six-foot-four goaltender currently plays in Czechia’s minor hockey league. He has made 29 starts this season where he has posted terrific numbers.
As a 20-year old, he is third in the league in save percentage with a .927% (minimum 15 games played). His goals against average of 2.05 ranks second (minimum 15 games played). Its been an awesome season for him and hopefully he can build upon in the Czechia playoffs and when he rejoins Czechia for the World Junior Championships. He has certainly risen up within the Devils’ system.
All player cards used above are courtesy of Lassi Alanen on Twitter. He is Director of European Scouting for Elite Prospects and does terrific work. Give him a follow here.
Liiga advanced statistics via their website here.