With the 2022-23 season just weeks away, what better time to take a look at the New Jersey Devils of the future? For context, we did a midseason rankings which can be found here.
Note, the below will include a little overview of the player, a projection, and the change in rankings from the midseason edition.
1. Luke Hughes
The 2021 fourth-overall pick dominated at the University of Michigan last year with 39 points in 41 games. He has emerged as not only the Devils’ top prospect, but one of the top prospects in the whole NHL. Expect another terrific season at the NCAA level this season.
Projection: Top-pair, elite offensive-defesneman.
Change: No change.
2. Simon Nemec
This year’s second-overall pick adds another aggressive puck-moving defenseman to the system. He does have some work to do defensively, though his transition and offensive skill set is already well developed. Luckily, you won’t have to wait long to get a look at him in North America as he is expected he begins the season with Utica (AHL).
Projection: Top-four, puck-moving defenseman.
Change: New.
3. Alexander Holtz
Just a terrific season from the 2020 seventh-overall pick in the AHL last season. In 52 games, the 20-year-old had 51 points (26 goals). Per AHL Tracker, he also had one of the highest game score per game (GS/G) ratings in the league (AHL), showing his overall positive on-ice impact.
Though, this AHL play did not translate over his nine-game NHL stint last season. Look for Holtz to battle in camp for a roster spot on opening night. And, if the early training camp practices are any indication, a look on Jack Hughes’ wing could go tremendously far for his development and unlock that 30-plus goal potential.
Projection: Top-six wing, future 30-plus goal scorer.
Change: -1
4. Arseni Gritsyuk
The 21-year-old Russian had a magical KHL season in 2021-22 posting 28 points in 39 games played. He did start out a bit slow this season, with only two points in 10 games (this mostly due to an unsustainably low shooting percentage). Though, throughout most of his career, he has always performed well in a tough Russian hockey system.
Projection: Top-six wing.
Change: -1
5. Shakir Mukhamadullin
The surprise 2020 first-round pick is one of the more intriguing Devils’ prospects. He had a solid defensive season with Ufa of the KHL. He also got three playoff games with Utica (AHL) to end the season where he tallied a couple points. Another big season coming for the six-foot-four defenseman for his development in Russia.
Projection: Bottom-four defenseman.
Change: No change.
6. Fabian Zetterlund
The Swede had a terrific breakout season for Utica (AHL) last season. He tallied 52 points in 58 games and in return was called up and spent 14 games with the Devils. In these NHL games he excelled, totaling a respectable eight points while having a strong on-ice impact. Like Holtz, Zetterlund will be a threat to steal a roster spot coming out of training camp.
Projection: Middle-six, goal-scoring wing.
Change: +4, terrific AHL season and strong NHL showing.
7. Nolan Foote
A bit of a disappointing 2021-22 season in the AHL for the 21 year old. He tallied only 32 points in 55 games played. Though, he did play in seven NHL games where he scored three goals and added an assist. His play with New Jersey overall was strong and certainly an encouraging sign given the AHL season he put together.
Projection: Third-line, two-way wing.
Change: +2, decent showing in limited NHL action.
8. Reilly Walsh
Will this be the season that Walsh finally gets an opportunity at the NHL level? Given the Devils’ strong group of right-handed defensemen, it looks extremely unlikely he gets a shot with the big club pending injuries. For this reason, watch for Walsh potentially being a trade chip. Regardless, he still has NHL potential.
Projection: Bottom-pair, offensive-defenseman with strong power play skills.
Change: -4, still a nice prospect. Needs work defensively and appears blocked at the position.
9. Seamus Casey
Arguably one of the top value picks in the 2022 NHL Draft at 46th overall. Several had the American product labeled as a potential first-round pick. However, likely due to his five-foot-nine frame, he fell into the Devils’ lap in round two.
No doubt Casey is an offense-first defenseman. He has strong point totals throughout his junior career. It will be interesting to see how Florida native performs alongside fellow Devils’ prospects Luke Hughes and Ethan Edwards at the University of Michigan.
Projection: Too early to tell.
Change: New.
10. Tyce Thompson
The 2019 fourth-round pick looked like a steal after terrific sophomore and junior seasons at Providence College. Unfortunately, Thompson was hurt for most of last season, only playing in 16 AHL games (15 points) and two NHL games. Due to his injury, his development has almost been put on a hold per se. Regardless, a huge year for the 23-year-old winger upcoming.
Projection: Bottom-six, two-way wing.
Change: -4, injuries have hampered his development.
11. Samu Salminen
Certainly the most surprising name to see this high as there is no doubt I am higher on him than most. Salminen has produced at a high rate throughout the Finnish junior hockey system. Specifically, he totaled 48 points in 44 games at the under-20 junior league level as his team’s captain last season (2021-22). Something he did in 2020-21 as well.
This year, Salminen will make his North America debut at the NCAA level. He will play at the University of Connecticut and will certainly be one of the more intriguing prospects to keep an eye on.
Projection: Too early to tell.
Change: -3, new prospects in front of him.
12. Kevin Bahl
One of the Devils’ several defensive-minded defensemen, Bahl has disappointed to an extent since coming over from Arizona. He was a stalwart for Utica (AHL) in their tremendous season last year, though was not the team’s best defenseman.
He also got himself a stint with the big club where he struggled. His play style is one that resonates with fans, and add in his size, he my be overvalued for these reasons.
Projection: Bottom-pair, defensive-defenseman.
Change: -1
13. Nico Daws
Daws was thrown into a situation, at his stage in development, he clearly was not ready for. After dominating the AHL, to the extent of posting figures that resembled the top goalie in the league, Daws was called up due to injuries at the NHL level.
Daw’s goals saved above expected (GSAx) figure of -10.14 ranked 100th of 118 goaltenders in the NHL last season (per Evolving Hockey). It was clear he was not NHL ready. Regardless, his AHL play indicates that after some proper development he may make a positive NHL impact one day.
Projection: fringe starter, good backup.
Change: +1
14. Chase Stillman
Stillman, like Mukhamdullin, was another first-round reach by the Devils.The 29th overall pick in the 2021 NHL Draft only scored 49 points in 59 OHL games this past season. Even before the draft, Stillman was not exactly touted for his offensive upside. Though, as a first-round pick, 0.83 point-per-game pace is not ideal for a first-round pick.
He still has a path to the NHL, as his play style translates well. A solid, two-way center who will probably find a nice home on the penalty kill. Hopefully, a nice bounce back season is in order.
Projection: Bottom-six, penalty-killing center.
Change: -2
15. Zakhar Bardakov
The 2021 seventh-round pick is one of the biggest movers in the Devils’ system. Interestingly enough, Corey Pronman of the Athletic has Bardakov has him ranked 13th in the Devils’ system among players under 22 years old.
Bardakov is described as a hard worker and is getting terrific experience in a very strong professional hockey league (KHL). He is currently on about a 30-point pace which is very strong for a player of his age. This is also a huge improvement on his point total last year in the KHL, which he has already surpassed.
Projection: Too early to tell.
Change: Not ranked previously. Strong KHL showing, good toolkit.
16. Nikita Okhotiuk
Okhotiuk got a five-game try out in the NHL last season. He played okay, most likely overrated by many due to his play style. Though, he did look strong at the Prospects Challenge outside a few lackadaisical plays and has the tools to be successful defensively. Overall, his style should translate well to the NHL at some point.
Projection: Bottom-pair, defensive-defenseman.
Change: +3, nice AHL season and strong showing at Prospects Challenge.
17. Graeme Clarke
One of the more disappointing prospects in the Devils’ system last year. After lighting it up with some absurd Ottawa 67s teams in the OHL, Clarke’s scoring has fell off in Utica (AHL). Especially last season, where he only totaled 24 points in 52 games.
Clarke has an electric shot and has the tools to potentially become a good offensive player. Though, we have yet to see consistency at the AHL level. Like many on this list, an extremely important year upcoming.
Projection: Strong AHL player, NHL upside if offensive consistency is found.
Change: -10, poor scoring AHL season.
18. Jakub Malek
The Czechia goaltender has been intriguing since draft day. The 20-year-old has posted terrific numbers where ever he has played throughout his junior career. Since 2017-18, his save percentages in the leagues he has played year-by-year is as follows: .910, .907, .927, .912, and .932. Each coming at different levels of junior leagues in the Czechia junior system.
This trend continued this year in his first Liiga game, the top professional league in Finland. In this first game, he posted a .970 save percentage saving 32 of 33 shots he faced. Though, he did struggle in his second game. Nonetheless, it will be very interesting to monitor how his first true professional season goes in a strong league.
Projection: Too early to tell.
Change: -2.
19. Josh Filmon
The six-foot-three sixth-round pick was another example of good value picking by general manager Tom Fitzgerald during this past year’s draft. Filmon plays in the strongest defensive league of the CHL which should help develop that part of his game. His offensive output last season in the league was nothing eye-grabbing (45 points in 67 games), which is probably why he was drafted so low. His scoring output in the WHL season should tell a lot of what he may be in the future.
Projection: Too early to tell.
Change: New.
20. Akira Schmid
Like his counterpart, Nico Daws, Schmid also had himself a terrific AHL season. He owned a good .911 save percentage after a strong 2020-21 USHL season. Like Daws, he was dominated in the NHL, to an even worse extent. Simply put, he was not NHL ready which was totally understandable given his experience up until that point.
Projection: Backup, strong AHL starter.
Change: -6, new prospects entering in front of rankings and poor NHL showing.
21. Tyler Brennan
Brennan was rated by some as the top goaltender in the 2022 NHL Draft. The Devils were able to swing him in the fourth round. His save percentage was nothing to get excited at with Prince George (WHL) last season. Though, the team as a whole was pretty poor. A big year upcoming for Brennan.
Projection: Too early to tell.
Change: New.
22. Patrick Moynihan
After an encouraging 2020-21 season, where Moynihan was almost a point-per-game player, he took a step back offensively, totaling only 25 points in 38 games. He will spend a fourth year at Providence College looking to exit NCAA with a bang.
His play style is one of a hard-working forward which could help him get to the NHL one day. This in a fourth-line, penalty killing role. If this is possible is yet to be seen.
Projection: Fringe NHL player, likely top two-way AHL forward.
Change: -5, struggled scoring at NCAA level last year.
23. Ethan Edwards
Edwards, another University of Michigan product, is entering a second collegiate season. He had surprisingly strong metrics last year. The 2020 fourth-round pick profiles more as a puck-moving defenseman than one who is stronger in his own end.
Projection: Too early to tell.
Change: -8, ranked too high in midseason rankings and new prospects entering rankings in front.
24. Daniil Misyul
Misyul, who is only 21 years old, now has 134 career games under his belt in the second-best professional hockey league in the world. He is regarded as a very strong skater, though has not put up offensive numbers worth getting excited about. Regardless, if he ever makes it to North America it will be interesting to see how he progresses.
Projection: Depth NHL defenseman, top-four AHL defenseman.
Change: -2
25. Topias Vilen
The 2021 fifth-round pick has 87 Liiga games under his belt at only 19 years old which is mighty impressive. His role has been a large one too, emerging as a strong presence in his own end for his Liiga team. A potential underrated prospect in the system.
Projection: Too early to tell.
Change: New.
Others:
- Aarne Talvitie (F, AHL)
- Arteim Schlaine (F, NCAA)
- Brain Halonen (F, AHL)
- Nikola Pasic (F, HockeyAllsvenskan)
- Jaromir Pytlik (F, Czechia)
- Petr Hauser (F, Czechia 2)
- Artem Barabosha (D, MHL)
- Case McCarthy (D, NCAA)
- Charles Leddy (D, NCAA)
- Daniil Orlov (D, MHL)
- Michael Vukojevic (D, AHL)
- Topias Vilen (D, AHL)
- Viktor Hurtig (D, AHL)
- Cole Brady (G, NCAA)