Prior to the start of the regular season, we ranked every single prospect in the New Jersey Devils’ system. Given where the season currently sits, we thought it would be a good time to check back in on the Devils’ system and go through several of those prospects we ranked and see how they are doing.
Below we examine each of the top-20 prospects on that list and decide if they would be ranked higher (trending up) or lower (trending down) if we redid the rankings. Additionally, we took a look at some of the notable performers that were outside the preseason top-20.
Note, the rankings below reflect how they were ranked in our preseason article, not how they would be ranked now. You can once again find that original article here.
1. Anton Silayev, D (KHL)
Unfortunately, it has not been the season many would have hoped for the Devils’ 10th overall pick in 2024. The hulking 6-foot-7 defenseman only has three points in 55 KHL games this season. Silayev, 19 years old, is only playing 11:11 of ice time per night (seventh among defenseman) for Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod.
Of course, there is a lot more to the game than point totals. Silayev has racked up the hits (116) and blocked shots (71) despite the very limited ice time. The left-handed defenseman is set to see his KHL contract expire at the end of the 2025-26 season, so an appearance in North America may be on the horizon.
Verdict: Trending Down
2. Arseny Gritsyuk, F (NHL)
Arseny Gritsyuk has had a terrific rookie season for the New Jersey Devils. Gritsyuk has 23 points in 56 games. This ranks him 12th among rookies this season.
Further evidence of how strong the 24-year-old has been is his on-ice metrics. According to Evolving Hockey’s on-ice goals above replacement metrics, Gritsyuk’s overall impacts grade in the league’s 75th percentile; offensively he sits in the 73rd percentile and defensively the 74th percentile.
Gritsyuk is a restricted free agent at season’s end. AFP Analytics project the below two deals for the young Russian:
- Short-term: two years, $7,103,200 ($3,551,600 annually)
- Long-term: five years, $32,916,000 ($6,583,200 annually)
Verdict: Trending Up
3. Mikhail Yegerov, G (NCAA)
Mikhail Yegorov was a sensation for Boston University in their runner-up finish in 2024-25. The now 19-year-old posted a 0.927 save percentage across 18 collegiate games after coming over from the USHL Omaha Lancers midseason. However, through 32 games this season, Boston University and Yegorov have taken a step back. Yegorov has a 0.904 save percentage and a -2.08 goals saved above which ranks 53rd among 86 qualified goaltenders according to College Hockey News.
With Boston University going from a National Championship appearance to a 12-11-0-3-2 record this season, regression from Yegorov was expected. Given that, and with how strong he was in 2024-25, Yegorov should still be held in high regard.
Verdict: Flat
4. Lenni Hämeenaho, F (NHL)
Like Gritsyuk, forward Lenni Hämeenaho has been strong in his first stint in the NHL. Through 12 NHL games, Hämeenaho has four points. His expected goals-for percentage of 56.82 also leads Devils players who have played at least four games.
To earn the call-up, the Finnish forward was lighting it up with Utica (AHL). After starting his AHL career scoreless across his first nine games, he posted 22 points over his last 25 games. Specifically, he had 19 points over his last 17. It certainly seems as if the Devils hit on the 2023 second-round selection.
Verdict: Trending Up
5. Seamus Casey, D (AHL)
The 22-year-old Seamus Casey has kind of plateaued, in a sense, as it relates to his development. Casey has 19 points in 29 games but continues to struggle at points in his own end.
Encouragingly, according to AHL Tracker, Casey owns a 0.51 game score per game which ranks sixth among 63 AHL defenseman aged-22 or younger to play in a game this season. His offensive talents are off the charts, but it remains to be seen if his defensive game can ever get to a point where he can be an established NHL-level player.
Notably, Casey has been out of action with an injury since January 25. According to Ben Birnell of Sentinel, Casey’s head coach Ryan Parent didn’t given an encouraging update to his timeline confirming that he will be, “out for a significant amount of time.”
Verdict: Flat
6. Jakub Málek, G (AHL)
It has been a tale of two parts for goaltender Jakub Málek this season. Málek got off to a woeful start in the AHL, posting a 0.856 save percentage across five games, and as a result was sent to the ECHL. After a cup of coffee with Adirondack (ECHL), where he posted a 0.930 save percentage in two appearances, he has played much, much better with Utica (AHL). Namely, Málek has a 0.907 save percentage across 15 since being recalled.
Overall, the season as a whole doesn’t look special for the 23-year-old (0.895 save percentage). But, given his play since his recall from the ECHL and the fact he was performing so well in the Liiga (top Finnish professional league) before coming over to North America, there should be optimism for Málek going forward.
Verdict: Flat
7. Shane Lachance, F (AHL)
Much like Hämeenaho, Shane Lachance started his first full AHL season off poorly as he was scoreless through his first eight games. However, the 22-year-old had a stint in the middle of the season where he posted a nine points across 10 games. He also has three points over his last four games. In all, Lachance has 20 points in 48 games this season.
Lachance, who was the captain of the same runner-up Boston University team that Yegorov played for last season, was acquired in a retention deal by the Devils last season. His development may not have exactly gone as hoped thus far this season, but he has shown more encouraging signs as the season has gone on. Lachance should be able to contribute in a bottom-six role in the NHL at some point.
Verdict: Trending Down
8. Conrad Fondrk, F (NCAA)
The Devils used their first pick of the 2025 NHL Entry Draft on forward Conrad Fondrk. Fondrk, who was selected with the 50th-overall pick, has struggled in his first full collegiate season at Boston University. Fondrk only has eight points in 25 games. He has spent time both on the Terriers’ first and fourth lines.
After posting 39 points across 55 games combined for the National Team Development Program and USHL, Fondrk has gotten off to an incredibly slow start for Boston University. Hopefully, as the only 18-year-old continues to develop the production will rise.
Verdict: Trending Down
9. Matyas Melovksy, F (AHL)
Matyas Melovksy flew up the organizational prospect rankings thanks to an 83-point season in 2024-25 with Baie-Comeau of the QMJHL across 57 games. His first full AHL season has been up-and-down and featured an injury that kept Melovsky out from the end of December through the middle of February.
Across 35 AHL games this season, he has 13 points. Like several Comets, Melovksy got off to a horrifically slow start as he had five points through his first 18 games. However, over the last 17 games, he has an improved eight points. Unfortunately, the injury threw a wrench into things for the 21-year-old. The end of the season will be important for the Czechia-born forward.
Verdict: Flat
10. Benjamin Kevan, F (NCAA)
Shortly after selecting Fondrk in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft, New Jersey selected another United States-born forward in Benjamin Kevan. The 63rd-overall pick has also put up underwhelming traditional numbers with 10 points in 34 games. However, encouragingly, he has six over his last five games. As a result, Kevan was promoted to the top-six after predominately playing in the bottom-six for a majority of the season.
Kevan, like Fondrk, is still extremely young and in his first collegiate season. At only 19 years old, and a college freshman, he still has a lot of time to development.
Verdict: Trending Down
11. Cam Squires
The 20-year-old Cam Squires had an electric ending to the 2024-25 season as he posted four points in three games to end the season with Utica (AHL). The organization made the decision to start Squires in the ECHL this season, as he posted three points in eight games with the team. Squires has since posted 10 points in 32 games with Utica (AHL).
Squires, a fourth-round pick in 2023, has not exactly had the year many would have hoped after he dominated the QMJHL in 2024-25. At only 20 years old, there is still tons of time for the Canadien-born winger. With that being said, his first full professional season has been a tough one.
Verdict: Trending Down
12. Gustav Hillström, F (SHL)
The Devils spent a fourth-round pick in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft on forward Gustav Hillström. Hillström, listed at 6-foot-2, had a terrific start to 2025-26 with 28 points in 24 under-20 Swedish junior league games. As a result, he has gotten some run in the SHL as well, where he has played in 25 professional games (one point).
At only 19 years old, it is great to see Hillström getting experience at arguably the third-best professional hockey league in the world. His production in the under-20 league certainly turned heads, especially as a fourth-round draft pick.
Verdict: Trending Up
13. Ethan Edwards, D (AHL)
Ethan Edwards continues to be a pleasant surprise for an otherwise disappointing Utica Comets (AHL) team. Edwards has shown to be adequate enough defensively and surprisingly has shown a goal-scoring touch through 49 games this season. Edwards has nine goals and 10 assists to go along with 43 penalty minutes.
The left-handed defenseman is now 23 years old. It will be interesting to see if he will be able to breakthrough to the NHL level at anytime down the stretch. He has been a consistent staple on the back end for Utica (AHL) all season long.
Verdict: Trending Up
14. Nico Daws, G (AHL)
Goaltender Nico Daws is a quietly polarizing player among fans. Daws, now 25 years old, performed well in 2024-25 for New Jersey but has otherwise been up-and-down at the NHL level. In the AHL, he continues to struggle with a 0.886 save percentage across 33 games this season. He now owns a career 0.898 AHL save percentage (131 games) and 0.899 NHL save percentage (53 games).
Daws, who is set to become a restricted free agent at season’s end, appears to be in a limbo of sorts. With Jacob Markström and Jake Allen locked in as the NHL club’s duo for the next couple seasons, inconsistent play in both the NHL and AHL, Daws’ time with the organization may be coming to an end.
Verdict: Flat
15. Thomas Bordeleau, F (AHL)
Thomas Bordeleau was dealt to Utah as apart of the Nick Bjugstad trade prior to the Olympic break. The idea of Bordeleau was exciting when he was acquired by the Devils’ in the offseason but another year of subpar output in the AHL (eight points in 35 games for Utica) made him expendable once again.
Verdict: N/A
16. Mason Moe, F (NCAA)
Mason Moe was the third-straight United States-born forward the Devils selected in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. The 90th-overall selection has spent his 2025-26 season with the University of Minnesota. He has 10 points in 30 games which is fine output for an 18-year-old playing fourth-line minutes in his freshman season.
The 6-foot-2 center had an encouraging season in the USLH back in 2023-24 (43 points in 51 games). Like both Fondrk and Kevan, Moe has a ton of time to develop.
Verdict: Flat
17. Topias Vilén, D (AHL)
Topias Vilén has seemingly been a solid prospect for the Devils’ since being drafted in the fifth-round of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. Vilén had a strong offensive season in 2023-24 as he had 10 points in six ECHL games and 24 in 58 AHL games. However, since then, his offensive production has slowly tailed off.
In 46 games this season, Vilén has 17 points and is a plus-two rating which is rare on a very poor Comets team. The now 22-year-old has seemingly plateaued in his development.
Verdict: Flat
18. Daniil Orlov, D (KHL)
Daniil Orlov headlines the list of Devils prospects who are on the move positively this season. The 22-year-old has been a revelation for Spartak Moskva in 2025-26 with 26 points in 59 games. Orlov is averaging 21:11 of ice time per night which is second on the team and his 64 blocked shots is second.
The speedy two-way defenseman was a fourth-round pick in 2022. His contract is slated to run through the 2027-28 season so it is unlikely we see Orlov in North America anytime soon. However, his development has encouragingly been on a steep positive curve.
Verdict: Trending Up
19. Kasper Pikkarainen, F (Liiga)
The 19-year-old Kasper Pikkarainen has played in 39 games in the Liiga this season. Pikkarainen is only playing 11:07 of ice time per night, but has a very strong 52.11 Corsi-for percentage which shows in his limited ice time TPS is usually out-generating the opposition which is encouraging.
Pikkarainen was also able to represent Finland in the World Junior Championships where he served a limited role and as a result posted one point in six games. After an injury-riddled 2024-25 which saw him only skate in three games with his respective junior clubs, it is encouraging to see him getting a full season in, especially at the professional level.
Verdict: Flat
20. Cole Brown, F (NCAA)
Cole Brown was a sixth-round pick in 2023. The 6-foot-3 winger is in his first collegiate season where he has 19 points in 32 games for a weak University of Notre Dame team. He has predominantly been playing a top-six role for the club.
After a 70-point season in his final OHL year with Brantford in 2024-25 it is nice to see Brown carry over some of that success to a bad collegiate team. It will be interesting to see where Brown plays come next season.
Verdict: Trending Up
Other Notables
There are several prospects outside our original top-20 rankings that have put together notable 2025-26 seasons. Below are a few of those and how they have perfumed this season.
24. Chase Cheslock, D (NCAA)
Chase Cheslock, now 21 years old, would join Orlov as one of the prospects on the fastest upward trajectory in the rankings. The former 2023 fifth-round pick is listed at 6-foot-3 and is in his third season with the University of St. Thomas. Cheslock was the captain of his USLH team in the 2023-24 season prior to joining the Tommies in St. Paul, Minnesota later that season.
Through 34 games this season, Cheslock has 23 assists. He has been serving as one of the team’s alternate captains and has been playing a valuable role in the top-four. St. Thomas found themselves ranked 17th in the most recent USCHO.com poll.
Prior to this season, any future with the organization seemed dim. However, with his big 2025-26, it would not be surprising to see the organization offer him a contract at some point.
27. Samu Salminen, F (NCAA)
Samu Salminen was drafted by the Devils all the way back in 2021. The former third-round pick was once viewed upon as a top-15 prospect in the team’s system after a huge 2021-22 season with his under-20 Finnish junior league team. However, since joining the college ranks in 2022-23, his stock has steadily dropped.
Salminen spent two seasons at the University of Connecticut before transferring to the University of Denver where he is an alternate captain. Through 35 games this season, he has 26 points and is a plus-19. This coming after he was a plus-21 in 44 games (28 points) last season.
The 22-year-old seems to have had himself a bit of a resurgence after moving on from UConn a couple seasons ago. Especially recently, as he has nine points over his last five games. A entry-level deal probably is still unlikely but the Finnish forward is doing well with the currently eighth-ranked team in college hockey.
28. David Rozsíval, F (USHL)
David Rozsíval joins Orlov and Cheslock as prospects who have done a ton for their stock this season. The sixth-round pick in 2025 leads all Devils’ prospects in scoring with 31 points in 47 USHL games. His 20 goals is tied for 20th in the league.
Rozsíval, only 18, was named one of the top uncommitted players in the USLH earlier in the month. He has been terrific in the USHL this season and is certainly one to watch in the coming years.
30. Veeti Louhivaara, G (Liiga)
Goaltender Veeti Louhivaara has bounced around organizations this past season. In 2024-25, Louhivaara played a majority of his season in Finland’s under-20 junior system posting a 0.902 save percentage. This season, however, he has spent time in three different leagues and also committed to play collegiate hockey in 2026-27.
This season, Louhivaara has played in the under-20 Finnish junior league, Finland’s minor league (Mestis), and the USLH, where he plays right now. Louhivaara posted a very strong 0.917 save percentage across nine junior league games and played in eight Mestis struggling to a 0.871 save percentage. With the Chicago Steel, where he plays currently, he has a 0.907 save percentage across 16 games.
As mentioned, the 20-year-old former fifth-round draft pick in 2024 recently committed to play college hockey for the University of Connecticut in 2026-27. Louhivaara seemed like an afterthought in the Devils’ system not too long ago but an encouraging 2025-26 has him trending upwards.
33. Tyler Brennan, G (ECHL)
The 22-year-old Tyler Brennan was a fourth-round pick in 2022. After his final WHL season in 2022-23, Brennan joined the Devils’ organization at the ECHL level with Adirondack. In 2023-24 and 2024-25, he put up lackluster save percentages of 0.896 and 0.878, respectively, which was very worrisome for his development.
However, in 2025-26, Brennan has put together by far the best season of his career. Across 21 games for an elite Adirondack team, Brennan has a 0.908 save percentage. Him, along with Jeremy Broduer, are two of the mains reasons the Thunder have made so much noise in the ECHL’s Eastern Conference this season.
At 22 years old, Brennan’s development will have to continue trending upwards quickly for him to be looked upon as a threat in the Devis’ system. Nonetheless, it is good to see the mid-round draft pick finally playing solid hockey.
34. Jeremy Hanzel, D (ECHL)
The Devils quietly acquired defenseman Jeremy Hanzel in the Erik Haula trade with Nashville during the offseason. Hanzel has been a revelation for an Adirondack Thunder team that sits third in the Eastern Conference with a 31-13-4-1 record. His 31 points in 52 games is second on the club.
The 22-year-old was a sixth-round pick of the Colorado Avalanche in 2023. He had a strong final WHL season in 2023-24 where he posted 60 points (17 goals) in 66 games. He has played in nine AHL games but has spent a majority of his last two seasons in the ECHL. Due to his strong performances, a contract and time with Utica (AHL) may be on the horizon.