The 2025-26 NHL season is rapidly approaching. With that, a check in, and subsequent ranking of every prospect in the New Jersey Devils’ system appears fitting. The unit, once looked upon as one of the best in the league, has seen numerous graduations in seasons past. Despite this, many still view the team’s system as somewhere in the middle of the league in terms of strength.
The below is a full ranking of every prospect currently in the Devils’ system. Each of the below is aged 24-or-younger and have played 82 or less games at the NHL level. Next to the player’s name, in parenthesis, is where that individual is expected to play this season.
1. Anton Silayev, D (KHL)
The Devils selected the 6-foot-7 Russian defenseman in the first round, 10th overall, of the 2024 NHL Entry Draft. Silayev, under contract in Russia through the 2025-26 season, has already played in 130 professional games in the top professional league in Russia (KHL) at only 19 years old. Among Torpedo defensemen, Silayev ranks third in ice time and leads the group in shots on goal through four games.
2. Arseny Gritsyuk, F (NHL)
Finally, it appears that Russian forward Arseny Gritsyuk will make his NHL debut at some point in 2025-26. The 2019 fifth-round pick had his best season yet in the KHL last season, posting 44 points in 49 games. He topped that off with five more in four playoff games. The 24-year-old had the third highest points-per-game on the team. According to Dobbers Sports’ point conversion tool, that 44 point output across 49 KHL games is equivalent to scoring 59 NHL points across an 82-game schedule.
3. Mikhail Yegeorov, G (NCAA)
It was a breakout season for the Devils’ second-round pick in 2024. Mikhail Yegorov, 19, posted a 0.912 save percentage across 19 USHL games before transitioning to the collegiate level. With Boston University, he posted a 0.927 save percentage across 18 games, ultimately seeing his squad lose in the National Championship. He will play for the Terriers once again this season.
4. Lenni Hämeenaho, F (AHL/NHL)
The Devils used a second-round pick in 2023 on Finnish forward Lenni Hämeenaho, and, early on, it appears they have gotten great value. At only 20 years old, the 6-foot-1 Fin has already played in 155 professional games at the Liiga level. Across these games, he has totaled 43 goals (23-goal pace over 82 games) and 103 points. Last season, his 51 points (20 goals) across 58 games was second on his team and both the point and goal totals ranked in the top 15 of the league. At only 20 years old, Hämeenaho has a legit shot to make his NHL debut this season after signing his three-year, entry-level deal in May of 2025.
5. Seamus Casey, D (NHL/AHL)
Seamus Casey’s offensive skills were on full display last season, as he scored four goals and posted eight points in his first 14 career NHL games. The 21-year-old also had 18 points in 30 AHL games, where he spent the majority of his season. Known as an elite offensive talent (45 points in 40 games his final collegiate season at Michigan in 2023-24), the second-round pick may have a tough time cracking a jampacked Devils blue line this season.
6. Jakub Málek, G (AHL)
The Devils have two really strong goalie prospects in their system, the second of which is Czechia-born Jakub Málek. Málek, 23, already has played 82 professional games at the Liiga level in Finland. Across those games, he has posted a 0.910 save percentage and 2.18 goals against average. After posting a 0.915 save percentage in 2023-24 (27 games), he followed that up with a 0.910 figure this past season (33 games). The former fourth-round pick, off a splendid performance at the 2025 Prospects Challenge, is expected to make his North American debut at the AHL level this season.
7. Shane Lachance, F (AHL/NHL)
There is a legit chance that the 22-year-old Shane Lachance will get to make a NHL debut at some point in 2025-26. The former sixth-round pick of the Edmonton Oilers in 2021 was brought to New Jersey last season as a “thank you” for helping facilitate a deal between Boston and Edmonton. In his final season at the collegiate level, Lachance captained Boston University to a National Championship apperance while posting 30 points in 40 games. He capped his 2024-25 season with two points in his first two professional games with Utica (AHL) had a strong showing at the 2025 Prospects Challenge.
8. Conrad Fondrk, F (NCAA)
The Devils didn’t pick until 50th overall in the most recent NHL Entry Draft, when they did, they picked forward Conrad Fondrk. Despite having good size (6-foot, 203 pounds), Fondrk is a very skillful forward. He spent last season within the USA Developmental Program, posting 27 points in 40 National Team Developmental Program (NTDP) games and 12 points in 15 games playing in the USHL with the USNTDP Juniors team. The 18-year-old is set to join Boston University for the 2025-26 season.
9. Matyas Melovsky, F (AHL)
The now 21-year-old center/winger has been steadily rising up the Devils’ organizational prospect rankings. Matyas Melovsky made his largest leap this past season, as he exploded for 83 points in 57 QMJHL games. The 83 points ranked eighth in the league and his 57 assists ranked third. Melovsky went on to score the second-most points in the 2024 World Junior Championships (11 points in seven games) and led the tournament in assists (10). For good measure, he chipped in three points (two goals) at the Prospect Challenge as well. The former sixth-round pick is slated to play for Utica (AHL) this season, after signing an AHL contract in April.
10. Benjamin Kevan, F (NCAA)
After selecting Fondrk 50th overall in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft, New Jersey made their second, second-round pick 63rd overall and selected forward Benjamin Kevan. Kevan, also an extremely skilled forward, played with Fondrk on the NTDP team for a short time, posting three points in 13 games. The 18-year-old winger played a majority of the 2024-25 season in the USHL, posting 43 points in 51 games with Des Moines. He is slated to play at Arizona State University thiwis upcoming season.
11. Cam Squires, F (AHL)
Former fourth-round pick, Cam Squires, is slated to play his first full professional season this year with Utica in the AHL. The 20-year-old forward spent his junior hockey career with Cape Brenton of the QMJHL from 2021-2025. In his final season, he posted a career-best 1.29 point-per-game mark, posting 75 in 58 games. Squires got a short run with the Comets to end the season, impressing, scoring four points in three games. Squires signed his three-year, entry-level contract in July of 2024.
12. Gustav Hillström, F (U20 Nationell/SHL)
The Devils did not take Gustav Hillström until the fourth round in 2025, but got extreme value with the pick. The 6-foot-2 center played in 18 SHL, as a 17-year-old in 2024-25. However, de did a majority of his damage in the Swedish under-20 junior league, posting 38 points in 43 games. Through only two under-20 Swedish junior games this year, he already has seven points. Expect him to be back in the SHL, with Brynäs IF, in the near future. His contract with the Swedish organization runs through 2026-27.
13. Ethan Edwards, D (AHL)
The Devils sure love their University of Michigan players, and Ethan Edwards continues that trend, making him the third one on this list (Casey, Bordeleau) with Luke Hughes already playing in the NHL. Edwards, 23, was Michigan’s No. 1 defenseman in his final season with the club last year, as he posted 21 points in 36 games. To end the season, he got a 10 game run with Utica (AHL) posting three points. The left-handed defenseman, who was a fourth-round pick in 2020, signed a two-year, entry-level deal with the organization earlier in the year and is slated to spend the season with the Comets in the AHL.
14. Nico Daws, G (AHL)
The 24-year-old goaltender, who has played 52 NHL games, just made the cut to stay on this list. Nico Daws first tasted NHL action in 2021-22. And, overall, has a 0.898 save percentage and a -6.74 goals saved above expected. His AHL numbers have left a lot to be desired as well, as he has a career 0.901 save percentage across 98 games. However, he did play his best hockey in the NHL last season (0.939 save percentage, 4.89 goals saved above expected in six NHL games) and is still only 24 years old. Daws projects to be the first goalie called up if an injury hits the NHL tandem of Jacob Markström or Jake Allen, but largely projects to be a “veteran” presence in Utica (AHL).
15. Thomas Bordeleau, F (AHL)
The Devils quietly, and very efficiently, acquired undersized forward Thomas Bordeleau from the San Jose Sharks in July. Bordeleau, only 23 years old, was a second-round pick back in 2020 and has 107 points across 161 AHL games. He has played at the NHL level, scoring 18 points in 44 games. Listed at only 5-foot-10 and 174 pounds, the center/winger is an extremely skillful forward and should factor in greatly for Utica (AHL) this season.
16. Mason Moe, F (NCAA)
The Devils’ third pick in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft came 80th overall (third round) and was used on center Mason Moe. Last season, Moe had 43 points in 51 USHL games with Madison, and added five goals in six playoff games. Moe also played in six National Team Developmental Program games with the Under-18 team alongside Fondrk and Kevan. The 6-foot-2, 192 pound Minnesota-born center is slated to stay home and play for the Gophers of the University of Minnesota this season.
17. Topias Vilén, D (AHL)
The Devils drafted defenseman Topias Vilén in the fifth round of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. After playing in, and doing well, across 127 Liiga, Vilén made the jump to North America in 2023-24. Across 54 AHL games, he had 29 points, which was the highest point-per-game mark among Utica (AHL) defensemen. Last season, he led Comet defensemen in points, with 24 in 58 games. The 22-year-old is once again is slated to play a prominent role for them this season.
18. Daniil Orlov, D (KHL)
New Jersey drafted the now 21-year-old Russian defenseman in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft’s fourth round. Daniil Orlov has already played 130 games in the KHL and continues to play there this season. He is off to a hot start, with three points in five games and is averaging 19:05 of ice time per night, which on pace to be a regular season career-high. Orlov is more known for an offensive, puck-moving game and recently signed an extension that will keep him in the KHL through the 2027-28 season.
19. Kasper Pikkarainen, F (Liiga)
Arguably the toughest skater to place on this list is 19-year-old Kasper Pikkarainen. Pikkarainen was drafted in the third round by the Devils in 2024. However, due to injury, he was limited greatly in 2024-25, playing in one WHL game and two under-20 Finnish junior league games. Finally, healthy in 2025-26, Pikkarainen started the season with TPS in the Liiga which is extremely encouraging. The 6-foot-3 forward is described as a power forward and has all the tools to potentially contribute one day if he stays healthy.
20. Cole Brown, F (NCAA)
Cole Brown was a sixth-round pick by the Devils in 2023. The now 20-year-old winger is coming off a career season in the OHL, where he posted 70 points (33 goals) in 67 games. He increased his point total by 31, and scored 17 more goals in only five more games compared to his 2023-24 season in the OHL resulting in a rise up the rankings after the extremely disappointing 2023-24 year. Brown will be playing college hockey at the University of Notre Dame this season.
21. Xavier Parent, F (AHL)
Xavier Parent, now 24 years old, is entering his fourth season with Utica (AHL). Parent, an undrafted free agent, had a massive final season in the QMJHL, posting 106 points and 51 goals, before producing at a point-per-game rate in the ECHL in his first extended professional action (51 points in 50 games in 2022-23). Overall, he has 87 points in 146 career AHL games, with 36 in 61 games for Utica (AHL) last season.
22. Daniil Karpovich, D (KHL/VHL)
The Devils selected left-handed defenseman Daniil Karpovich in the sixth round of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. Karpovich, listed at 6-foot-3 and 209 pounds, had a 35 points season in the MHL (top Russian junior league) in 2022-23. Since then, he has mainly played in the VHL (top Russian minor league), while seeing five KHL games. The 20-year-old is currently in the VHL, once again.
23. Alexander Campbell, F (AHL/ECHL)
Alexander Campbell was one of several forwards listed on the Devils’ opening training camp roster. He reportedly signed an AHL contract, and as a result, is joining the New Jersey system for the first time. Campbell was a third-round pick of Nashville back in 2019, and played four seasons of college hockey. In his senior year, he scored 22 goals and had 42 points in 36 games, which ranked top 30 in the league. He has 27 games of AHL experience under his belt across two seasons (nine points) and scored five points in five ECHL games last season.
24. Chase Cheslock, D (NCAA)
After playing high school hockey in Minnesota, defenseman Chase Cheslock stayed home and enrolled at St. Thomas University. With the Tommies, Cheslock has played in 57 games, notably, posting a plus-16 rating across 38 games last season. The 20-year-old is slated to play at St. Thomas against this season.
25. Josh Filmon, F (AHL/ECHL)
At one point, it seemed as if the Devils made out with highway robbery when drafting forward Josh Filmon in the sixth round of the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. Filmon scored 47 goals in 64 WHL games (fifth-most in the league) back in 2022-23, but regressed in 2023-24 (67 points in 64 games) before turning pro in 2024-25. Filmon was held off the scoresheet in 12 AHL games, and instead, played 65 ECHL games with Adirondack scoring 20 goals and posting 36 points. The 21-year-old figures to play either in Utica (AHL) or with Adirondack once again this season.
26. Nathan Légaré, F (AHL)
Nathan Légaré made his NHL debut last season, skating in three games for the New Jersey Devils. He had a career-year in the AHL, as he set a career-high in goals (17), points (25), and penalty minutes (102) across 69 games with Utica (AHL). He was a former third-round pick of the Pittsburgh Penguins and was brought to the Devils’ organization from Montreal in a trade in March of 2024.
27. Samu Salminen, F (NCAA)
The Devils drafted Finnish forward Samu Salminen in the third round of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. Salminen appeared to be on track to be on the better prospects in the Devils’ system. After a strong final season in the Finnish under-20 junior league, Salminen had a nice freshman season with the University of Connecticut (17 points in 27 games). However, since then, the 22-year-old transferred out of the program, to the University of Denver, and has 45 points over his last 79 games.
28. David Rozsíval, F (USHL)
With their sixth-round pick in the most recent draft, New Jersey took forward David Rozsíval. Rozsíval, 18, had 37 points in Czechia’s under-20 junior league and was held scoreless across five professional league games. He is slated to join the Green Bay Gamblers of the USHL in 2025-26.
29. Mikaël Diotte, D (AHL/ECHL)
The Devils signed right-handed defenseman Mikaël Diotte to a three-year, entry-level contract in March of 2022. The now 22-year-old was coming off a final QMHL season that saw him win the league’s Kevin Lowe Trophy, awarded to the league’s best defensive defenseman. His plus-55 rating was tied for the highest in the league among defenseman. In his first professional season, he was limited to seven games between the AHL and ECHL levels due to injury. Hopefully, 2025-26 will be his first full year at the professional level.
30. Veeti Louhivaara, G (Liiga)
The Devils took Veeti Louhivaara as their yearly goalie pick in the fifth round back in 2024. Louhivaara has had a subpar career in the under-20 Finnish junior league (0.896 save percentage across 39 games) and has not fared too well in three Mestis (Finnish minor league) games (39-for-46; 0.848 save percentage). He is currently loaned out to KeuPa HT of the Mestis, but will likely get his first real taste of the Liiga at some point with JYP.
31. Charlie Leddy, D (NCAA)
Charlie Leddy is now 21 years old and is entering his second season with Quinnipiac University. Last season, it was his first year with the Bobcats after spending his first two collegiate seasons at Boston College. Leddy, a fourth-round pick by New Jersey in 2022, has 111 career games played at the NCAA level with 29 points.
32. Jack Malone, F (AHL)
Jack Malone got a run with Utica (AHL) last season, playing in 57 games for the club, potting nine goals and 13 points overall. Malone had a game where he scored a first-period hat trick for the Comets. The 24-year-old was drafted in the sixth-round by Vancouver back in 2019. His first taste of AHL action was one game in 2023-24, after his final collegiate season. He is due to be with Utica (AHL) again this year.
33. Tyler Brennan, G (ECHL)
New Jersey spent a fourth-round pick on 6-foot-4 goalie Tyler Brennan in 2022. After two seasons of posting save percentages below 0.900 in the WHL, Brennan made his professional debut in 2023-24, playing 13 ECHL games, posting a 0.896 save percentage. The 21-year-old got an extended run in the ECHL last season, posting a 0.878 save percentage across 29 games.
34. Jeremy Hanzel, D (ECHL/AHL)
When the Devils traded Erik Haula in the offseason, the other piece they got back in the deal, aside from the draft pick, was 22-year-old defenseman Jeremy Hanzel. Hanzel, a sixth-round pick by Colorado in 2023, played in 61 ECHL games last year, posting 22 points and a negative-24 rating. He has played in only nine AHL games.
35. Sigge Holmgren, D (U20 Nationell)
The Devils went off the board for their sixth-round pick in the most recent draft, taking Swedish defenseman Sigge Holmgren. Holmgren, 18, is described an offensive defenseman, as he had 16 points in 18 under-18 Swedish junior league games in 2023-24. He missed all of 2024-25 with injury, but has already played in two under-20 Swedish junior league games this season.
36. Tag Bertuzzi, F (ECHL/AHL)
The Utica Comets (AHL) signed forward Tag Bertuzzi to a one-year, one-way AHL contract in July of 2024. Bertuzzi went on to play in six AHL games in 2024-25, and did not record a point. However, he did have 10 points in 11 ECHL games. Bertuzzi has emerged as a solid offensive presence in the ECHL, as he has 99 points in 132 career ECHL games. The 24-year-old also had a terrific showing in the Prospect Challenge, leading the team in points with five in five games. He reportedly signed an AHL deal with Utica (AHL) this offseason and is with the team in training camp.
37. Dylan Wendt, F (ECHL/AHL)
The Devils signed the now 24-year-old Dylan Wendt as an undrafted free agent out of Western Michigan University. Wendt had a very successful final year with the Broncos, posting 44 points, 23 goals, in 38 games. However, in his first full professional season, he posted three points in 12 AHL games and 28 points in 43 ECHL games. Wendt projects to be at the AHL and ECHL level once again this upcoming season and is with the team in training camp.
38. Luke Reid, D (AHL/ECHL)
Luke Reid was a sixth-round pick in 2020 by the Nashville Predators. The Adirondack Thunder (ECHL) signed Reid in March of 2025 and the 23-year-old reportedly signed an AHL contract with Utica (AHL). Reid played five seasons of college hockey with the University of New Hampshire. Over 162 games, he totaled 49 points. He got his first taste of professional action last season, playing 11 games between the AHL and ECHL levels.
39. Trenten Bennett, G (OHL)
New Jersey’s goalie pick in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft was used on 6-foot-8 Canadian Trenten Bennett. Bennett played a majority of his hockey in the CCHL, posting a 0.912 save percentage across 31 games. He played six games with Owen, in the OHL, posting a strong 0.923 save percentage. Bennett committed to play college hockey at St. Lawerence University in 2026-27, but is expected to play this upcoming season in the OHL. For whatever it is worth, Bennett did struggle mightily in his Prospect Challenge appearance.
40. Artem Barabosha, D (VHL)
The Devils spent a seventh-round pick in 2022 on 6-foot-2 Russian defenseman Artem Barabosha. Barabosha is labeled as a defensive defenseman, who loves to lay the body and play physical. The 21-year-old is currently playing in the VHL (top Russian minor league) where he has already played 62 games. Barabosha has 33 KHL games under his belt as well.
41. Jackson van de Leest, D (ECHL/AHL)
The 24-year-old, Jackson van de Leest, played college hockey in Canada up until 2023-24. The 6-foot-7 defenseman then signed with Adirondack of the ECHL, playing in 14 games to end 2023-24. Van de Leest got a taste, on loan, of the AHL in 2023-24, then played six more AHL games with Utica in 2024-25. He spent the majority of the season in the ECHL, with both Adirondack and South Carolina, posting 14 points across 49 games. Utica re-signed van de Leest on July 11.
42. Viktor Hurtig, D (HockeyEttan)
The towering 6-foot-6 defenseman, Viktor Hurtig, played parts of three seasons at the collegiate level with Michigan State and Michigan Tech. Over that time, he totaled 78 games and 12 points. Hurtig has since returned to his home country, Sweden, where he projects to play in the HockeyEttan this season; the top minor league in Sweden. Hurtig, 23, was a sixth-round pick in 2021 by New Jersey.
43. Brian Carrabes, F (ECHL)
Forward Brian Carrabes made his professional debut across six ECHL games for Adirondack last season (three points). Prior to that, he played at Minnesota State University for two seasons, after transferring in from Boston University. Across 110 NCAA games, he had 52 points. The 24-year-old also pitched in a couple of goals at the Prospect Challenge and is with the organization to begin training camp.
Notable Ineligibles
The following is a list of players within the Devils’ system, or who the Devils hold the rights to, but were not eligible to be on the list based off the previously disclosed criteria:
D Simon Nemec (NHL; 2022 1st), F Nikita Popugaev (KHL; 2017 4th), D Yegor Zaitsev (KHL; 2017 7th), F Marc McLaughlin (AHL; UDFA – BOS), D Calen Addison (AHL; 2018 2nd – PIT), F Angus Crookshank (AHL; 2018 5th – OTT), F Brian Halonen (AHL; UDFA), F Ryan Schmelzer (AHL; UDFA), F Mike Hardman (AHL; UDFA – CHI), G Jeremy Brodeur (ECHL; UDFA), D Dmitri Osipov (AHL; UDFA – VGK), D Austin Strand (AHL; UDFA – LAK), D Ryan Wheeler (ECHL; UDFA – MIN), D Jimmy Dowd Jr. (ECHL; UDFA)