The New Jersey Devils have had a great start to the year and are drawing a ton of attention around the league. With all this recent success, it’s easy to forget the great prospect pool the Devils still have. With that being said, let’s check in on how several of those top prospects are doing.
Note, all statistics are as of 11/29/2022.
Note, order of players based off our preseason prospect rankings list.
Luke Hughes – NCAA (Michigan)
Statistics: 2 goals, 12 assists, 14 points (16 games played)
Means of Acquisition: 2021 Draft (fourth overall)
Analysis:
Nothing has changed at the University of Michigan for Luke Hughes. He’s still one of the best defensemen in college hockey, clicking at nearly a point-per-game rate. Specifically, in his last 10 games, he has tallied one goal and nine assists.
Hughes’ dynamic game makes him not only one of the top prospects in the world, but an absolute blast to watch. Devils’ fans should be salivating over Hughes potentially joining the in the coming season or so.
Simon Nemec – AHL (Utica)
Statistics: one goal, four assists, five points (16 games played)
Means of Acquisition: 2022 Draft (second overall)
Analysis:
Simon Nemec is the other side of the coin that is high-end Devils prospects. His high-end play does stand out at points, but it’s clear he’s not producing at the rate expected going into this season.
Per AHL Tracker, Nemec’s game score per game (GS/G) of 0.38 ranks 104th among 237 qualified under-23 AHL skaters. Furthermore, his counting totals are not the best either. Especially for someone who plays the way Nemec does.
Of course, he is only 18 years old and this is his first season in North America. Additionally, Utica has been struggling out of the gate this season. Patience is key with Nemec.
Alexander Holtz – NHL/AHL
Statistics: NHL – one goal, one point (five games played), AHL – two goals, two assists, four points (three games played)
Means of Acquisition: 2020 Draft (seventh overall)
Analysis:
Alexander Holtz has had an odd few months. After a strong preseason, it looked like the former seventh-overall pick was finally going to be an NHL regular. That thought continued after scoring a goal in the season opener. Poor play in a couple of games resulted in Holtz being a healthy scratch, and eventually, a demotion to the AHL.
In only three games, Holtz has picked up right where he left off. Scoring two goals and tallying four total points in his first three games with Utica (AHL). After the injury to Nathan Bastian, he was called back up to the big club and had a nice night against the Rangers.
Like Nemec, patience is key with the Swede. Granted, it has been two years since he was drafted. Though, Holtz still has the goal-scoring tools to be effective in the NHL.
Arseni Gritsyuk – KHL
Statistics: four goals, 11 assists, 15 points (35 games played)
Means of Acquisition: 2019 Draft (fifth round)
Analysis:
Gritsyuk was due for some regression after an excellent season in the KHL last year. He scored 16 goals and had a total of 28 points in only 39 games. This year, although he’s still cracking the highlight reel at times, it’s not at the rate he had last year.
The former fifth-round pick has an expiring contract with Avangard of the KHL and could be making his North American debut next season. It will be interesting to see what type of player Gritsyuk turns into. The 2021 version of himself, or the 2022 version.
Shakir Mukhamadullin – KHL
Statistics: five goals, eight assists, 13 points (35 games played)
Means of Acquisition: 2020 Draft (20th overall)
Analysis:
Mukhamadullin is a prospect having a bounce-back season following an injury-riddled one last year. His 13 points rank 22nd among all KHL defensemen. Those numbers along with his stout defensive play make him one of the Devils’ more intriguing prospects. A taste of what he can bring is the below highlight-reel goal.
Fabian Zetterlund – NHL
Statistics: four goals, eight assists, 12 points (18 games played)
Means of Acquisition: 2017 Draft (third round)
Analysis:
Zetterlund made the team out of camp and spent a few games sitting on the bench before earning a spot full-time. An injury to Ondrej Palat allowed Zetterlund to get prime minutes in the top six and power play in which he has thrived. As the below chart demonstrates.
Zetterlund has been what many Devils’ fans had hoped Alexander Holtz would be going into the season. Not many would have thought that Zetterlund realistically could be thought about in the Calder Trophy race before the season began. Just terrific so far.
Nolan Foote – AHL
Statistics: six goals, four assists, 10 points (16 games played)
Means of Acquisition: Trade with Tampa Bay Lightning (former first-round pick, 27th overall, in 2019).
Analysis:
Foote has been doing well on a struggling Comets team this season, as his 10 points rank third on the team. However, with all the depth at forward the Devils have shown thus far it’s hard to see a way for Foote to consistently crack an NHL lineup anytime soon.
Reilly Walsh – AHL
Statistics: one goal, seven assists, eight points (15 games played)
Means of Acquisition: 2017 Draft (3rd round)
Analysis:
After an excellent season in the AHL last year, as well as a very brief call-up, it seemed like Walsh was ready to make the jump. Then the Devils traded for John Marino and drafted Simon Nemec. At this point, it would make the most sense to use Walsh as a trade chip before his value is completely diminished. Especially given how a struggling Utica team has resulted in a spiraling of Walsh’s point production.
Seamus Casey – NCAA (Michigan)
Statistics: four goals, 11 assists, 15 points (16 games played)
Means of Acquisition: 2022 Draft (second round)
Analysis:
After falling in the draft to the Devils at pick 46 this past year, Casey has gone to Michigan and dominated. Casey is tied for fourth in scoring among defensemen in the NCAA, and first among freshman defensemen. His dynamic play should fit in perfectly with the rest of the Devils’ core. The five-foot-nine defenseman is looking like a steal.
Tyce Thompson – AHL
Statistics: three goals, four assists, seven points (12 games played)
Means of Acquisition: 2019 Draft (fourth round)
Analysis:
Thompson is in a similar spot to a prospect like Nolan Foote. He could potentially be a NHL-level player one day, just probably not with the Devils. As an restricted free agent this summer, it could make sense, similarly to Walsh, for Thompson to be used as a trade chip at the deadline this year.
Samu Salminen – NCAA (Connecticut)
Statistics: one goal, one assist, two points (eight games played)
Means of Acquisition: 2021 Draft (third round)
Analysis:
The move of transferring to the University of Connecticut has not worked out quite yet for Samu Salminen. His two points in eight games played have not matched his work ethic and play, which should mean the points will come soon. Certainly a very intriguing prospect given his stellar output in the Finish junior system.
Kevin Bahl – NHL/AHL
Statistics: NHL – no points (three games played), AHL – one assist, one point (three games played)
Means of Acquisition: Trade with Arizona Coyotes (former second-round pick in 2018).
Analysis:
Bahl is in an odd pot where he’s only played six games this season between the NHL and AHL. After making the roster out of training camp, he’s been sitting on the bench since the team has found its groove. His above-average-to-excellent play during preseason and in his three NHL games this season bodes well for his future in the organization.
Nico Daws – AHL
Statistics: .906 save percentage, 3-4-1 record
Means of Acquisition: 2020 Draft (third round)
Analysis:
After a season in which Daws saw 20-plus games in the NHL due to injuries in net, he looks to settle back into his role as an AHL starter. Daws has been okay thus far on a Utica team that has struggled to start. Likely that his ceiling is a backup-level NHL goaltender.
Chase Stillman – OHL
Statistics: eight goals, 10 assists, 18 points (20 games played)
Means of Acquisition: 2021 Draft (29th overall)
Analysis:
It’s been another disappointing start to the OHL season for Stillman. Aside from a five-point outing a couple of weeks ago, Stillman has been quiet offensively to start the year in a league known for scoring. Not what you’re looking for in a former first-round pick.
Zakhar Bardakov – KHL
Statistics: four goals, six assists, 10 points (23 games played)
Means of Acquisition: 2021 Draft (seventh round)
Analysis:
Bardakov has had a surprisingly strong start to his season in Russia. Not only has the former seventh-round pick played significant ice time in 21 games this season, but he’s scoring at a respectable rate as well. Doing so in the second-best professional hockey league in the world.
Nikita Okhotiuk – AHL
Statistics: one goal, two assists, three points (eight games played)
Means of Acquisition: 2019 Draft (second round)
Analysis:
After quickly falling into favor with many fans during his call-up last year, Okhotiuk disappointed greatly in training camp and found himself in Utica (AHL) to begin the season. His play has been so-so and he has had to battle some injuries already. Contingent on injuries, do not expect to see any of Okhotiuk in the NHL this season.
Graeme Clarke – AHL
Statistics: three goals, five assists, eight points (15 games played)
Means of Acquisition: 2019 Draft (third round)
Analysis:
Clarke, once an underrated and intriguing prospect in the Devils’ system, has somewhat fallen off the radar. He’s fallen into a group with Foote and Thompson as a prospect that most likely won’t pan out with the Devils. Although his strong preseason once again showed there is definitely something there.
Jakub Malek – Liiga/Mestis
Statistics: Liiga – .881 save percentage (eight games played), Mestis – .950 save percentage (two games played)
Means of Acquisition: 2021 Draft (fourth round)
Analysis:
After a poor start in the Finnish Liiga, Malek was sent down to the second-highest league in Finland. In the two games he’s played down there Malek has dominated which is a good sign for his continued surprising development.
Josh Filmon – WHL
Statistics: 12 goals, nine assists, 21 points (18 games played)
Means of Acquisition: 2022 Draft (sixth round)
Analysis:
Josh Filmon has been one of the most exciting prospects in the Devils’ system. The sixth-round pick is clicking at an awesome 0.66 goals per game (G/GP), some of which have been highlight reel. This rate is good for a 43-goal pace in the WHL. Keep an eye on this guy in the coming months.
Akira Schmid – NHL/AHL
Statistics: NHL – .953 save percentage, 4-0-0 record (four games played), AHL – .918 save percentage, 2-1-1 record (four games played)
Means of Acquisition: 2018 Draft (fifth round)
Analysis:
After Mackenzie Blackwood went down with an MCL injury, Schmid came up and has been fantastic in three and a half games. He has gone 4-0-0 in that stretch coming up with some big saves at big moments. If he continues at this pace, don’t be surprised if Blackwood doesn’t have a job when he returns from injury.
Topias Vilen – Liiga
Statistics: six goals, three assists, nine points (18 games played)
Means of Acquisition: 2021 Draft (fifth round)
Analysis:
If Vilen has anything, it’s experience. At just 19 years old, the defenseman already has played 104 games in the top professional league in Finland (Liiga). In the past, Vilen had been purely a defensive defenseman. This year, however, he’s begun to show a bit of an offensive touch with six goals and nine points in 18 games. He also had an impressive preseason game with the Devils.
Cole Brady – NCAA (UMass)
Statistics: .919 save percentage, 1-2-0 record (five games played)
Means of Acquisition: 2019 Draft (fifth round)
Analysis:
Cole Brady had an impressive start to his NCAA career, doing his best behind a terrible Arizona State squad. This past spring, he entered the transfer portal and eventually ended up at UMass. This may have been the best move he could have possibly made, as Brady is playing the best hockey of his life and has the numbers to back it up so far in a very young season.
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