Ranking the Entire Devils' Pipeline: Off-Season Edition
Your comprehensive guide to the New Jersey Devils' prospect system.
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Back in March, I took on the tall task of ranking the entire Devils’ pipeline — all then-35 players of it. Flash forward to now, post-2025 draft and in the midst of the NHL off-season, and there have been quite a few changes to the prospect pool. All in all, five players have either left the system or aged out of my categorization as a prospect (25 years old), and they have been supplanted by 11 new names to the system.
That’s right, now there are 41 prospects for me to rank.
For those who tuned in for the original series, welcome back! For those of you who are new, allow me to quickly run through what, exactly, is going on.
In this ranking, I’m taking into account all players within the Devils’ system aged 25 or younger. For skaters, I broke down the individual aspects of their games by category: skating, hockey sense, puck skills, shooting, defensive awareness, and physicality/size. Goalies are broken down into athleticism, mobility, positioning, and puck tracking. Each category is rated on a scale from 1-10, and that part of the respective player’s game is broken down and, occasionally, supplemented with video footage of the parts of their game I’m talking about at that time.
Additionally, I’m providing NHL comparables, ceilings, and likelihoods with each ranking. It’s important to note that, especially toward the bottom of the list, the comparables are not of the same skill caliber but of similar playstyle.
By no means am I an expert, but prospect-watching and scouting have always been one of my favorite activities in my (quite limited) free time. I worked for Dobber Prospects, writing for the Devils’ page as well as doing monthly feature articles on NCAA happenings and prospects until quite recently — I just don’t have the time anymore and would rather pour focus into this blog than into several. The overarching point here is that, while I obviously don’t have the pedigree of a professional scout, I do want to convey that I am using my own observations on many, many viewings of all of these players to scribe my thoughts and evaluations.
This piece is a whopping 34,198 words long and has 75 pieces of film, so brace yourself. Most of the blurbs from the prospects already within the system have been taken from my March ranking, as the vast majority of the players’ seasons had come to a close by that time and practically no further games were played.
Without further ado, here is my comprehensive ranking and guide to the entire Devils’ prospect pool:
Additions: Conrad Fondrk (draft), Ben Kevan (draft), Mason Moe (draft), Trenten Bennett (draft), Gustav Hillström (draft), David Rozsíval (draft), Sigge Holmgren (draft), Thomas Bordeleau (trade), Jeremy Hanzel (trade), Angus Crookshank (free agent), Calen Addison (free agent)
Departures: Nolan Foote (7) — signed with Florida, Santeri Hatakka (14) — signed overseas, Marc McLaughlin (19) — aged out, Artem Shlaine (23) — signed with Dallas, Isaac Poulter (29) — signed with Winnipeg
Not Rated: Sigge Holmgren (RHD)
6th Round, 2025 (178th Overall) — 0 Games Played in 2024-25
As I’ve maintained since the draft, it’s nearly impossible for an amateur scout like myself to truly get a projection of what Sigge Holmgren’s game will look like, or really evaluate him as a player at all. There is no relevant film that I could find of his, nor did he log a single game in 2024-25 to break down. He led draft-eligible defensemen in the J18 Nationell in 2023-24, though, so it’s entirely possible that he turns out to be reasonably highly ranked after this season.
No. 40: Viktor Hurtig (RHD)
6th Round, 2021 (164th Overall) — 35 Games Played | 1 Goal | 4 Assists | 5 Total Points — Michigan Tech (NCAA)
Viktor Hurtig was selected as a re-entry in the 2021 draft, but there wasn’t much rhyme or reason to the pick outside of, in my opinion, his size. He’s a hulking 6’6 defender who, at the time of the draft, was able to push the puck up-ice occasionally against lesser competition. As always, though, his game was exposed at higher levels than the Allsvenskan.
Skating: 3/10
For being 6’6, I’m not disgusted at how he skates. His top speed isn’t quite league-average, and he accelerates slowly, but his edges are decent and he can maneuver in the neutral zone with his skating on very rare occasion. He stands up pretty straight when accelerating, so he doesn’t generate a whole lot of power from the individual strides, meaning that he has to do a lot more work to get to his top speed than he should have to.
Hockey Sense: 3/10
Hurtig struggles a lot with decision-making when zeroed in on or pressured in any way. He panics with the puck on his stick and it often results in turnovers on both ends of the ice. When cycling, he rarely passes the puck down low, opting to give it to his defense partner instead. While that is the safe play and doesn’t destroy possessions, I’d like to see him take even an iota of risk to get a higher-danger opportunity.
One time — literally once — I saw him join the rush, which was a pleasant sight to see. In fact, it turned into his only goal of the NCAA season.
Puck Skills: 1/10
As you would expect from a huge defenseman with five points in 35 games, Hurtig is largely unable to make moves around defenders to free up space for himself and his teammates. I’m not quite sure I’ve seen him make a single deke that wasn’t anything more than a head fake.
Shot: 3/10
His shot from the point is accurate but weak, especially for someone of his stature. I’ve noticed that he shies away from shooting altogether, and when he does shoot, it’s mostly wrist shots from the blue line rather than a powerful slapshot that one would hope for. He does not lift the puck very well.
Defensive Awareness: 4/10
With a general lack of offensive skill, one would hope that there is some defensive aptitude to negate that, but he generally struggles on that side of things, too. Hurtig gets caught puck-watching a lot, letting skaters dance around him without much of a fight. When he does engage in a board battle, the results are usually positive, but it usually takes a eureka moment for him on the ice to get to that point. The decision-making is, and always has been, a major concern.
Physicality/Size: 6/10
As I’ve noted a few times, he does have NHL-plus-level size. That’s all fine and well, and he can use shoulder checks along the board to free up the puck, but if he is generally lacking in his offensive toolkit, I’d like to see him lean into that physical aspect of his game a bit more. He isn’t hard to play against, he doesn’t punish others physically, and he doesn’t stand attackers up at the blue line on zone entries. Even if there are mistakes made along the way, I want to see more of that from him specifically.
NHL Comparable: Cody Ceci
NHL Ceiling: Injury Call-Up
NHL Likelihood: Longshot
There is almost a 0% chance that Hurtig will ever play in the NHL, and I would honestly be shocked if he spent meaningful time in the AHL, either.
No. 39: Tyler Brennan (G)
4th Round, 2022 (102nd Overall) — 29 Games Played | .878 SV% | 3.48 GAA | 9-16-3 | 0 SHO — Adirondack Thunder (ECHL)
Tyler Brennan was a good bet at the time, as he was touted as one of the better prospects in net for the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. He had played for a WHL team that had been one of the leakiest defenses in the league while posting a relatively impressive .899 SV% in a backup role. His calling card was positioning as opposed to raw athleticism, and while that’s still his strongest characteristic, it seems as though, in retrospect, the issues in his game that were previously attributed to his abysmal WHL defense may have just been flaws within his game.
Athleticism: 3/10
Very, very rarely, Brennan can pull out a desperation save that will draw some oohs and aahs from the crowd. Those are few and far between, though, and for a goaltender of his size (6’4), you’d expect a bit more there. With that said, here’s an example of that desperation save:
Mobility: 3/10
Despite having a good 6’4 frame, Brennan’s lack of ability to cover both sides of the net when in a butterfly is a bit disappointing. His butterfly is a bit tight — in other words, he doesn’t have a near-straight line across when he drops down — and that results in him getting beat on chances he otherwise wouldn’t. His side-to-side movement is also a bit clunky as a result, not being able to generate a whole lot of power laterally.
Positioning: 5/10
As previously mentioned, positioning is generally his strong suit. Brennan does let his frame do the work when need be, not overcommitting in one direction or another. He hugs the post well when called upon to do so and, when screened, generally puts himself in a position to succeed even if he can’t see the puck.
Puck Tracking: 4/10
At times, Brennan can lose sight of the rubber. This means that, if he is caught out of position, pucks will often beat him clean. Because he doesn’t have the consistency you’d like to see from a fourth-round-selected goalie prospect, this happens pretty often. Low-grade chances that otherwise wouldn’t pose a threat can beat him from both the point and the walls, and that just shouldn’t happen.
NHL Comparable: Stuart Skinner
NHL Ceiling: Injury Call-Up
NHL Likelihood: Longshot
If you were to ask me in his draft year, I’d have said there was a legitimate chance that Brennan turned into a backup-caliber goalie at the NHL level. Three years later, though, he has shown practically no improvement in his game and, although goalies are voodoo and you never truly know when one will magically have their game click, it’s highly, highly unlikely that Brennan turns into more than an AHL backup.
No. 38: Charlie Leddy (RHD)
4th Round, 2022 (126th Overall) — 35 Games Played | 1 Goal | 8 Assists | 9 Total Points — Quinnipiac Univ. (NCAA)
Despite being projected to go around this part of the 2022 draft, I didn’t think there was all that much to like about his projectability then, outside of being a physical defender who might have some shutdown capabilities. It seemed like a pretty good opportunity to draft a forward with good production — I liked Servác Petrovský at that time (who, to be clear, isn’t a good prospect by any means) — as it already felt like at this point the Devils had far too few forward prospects in the system. Flash forward to now, and Leddy is really struggling to even garner time in Quinnipiac despite their relatively weak blue line and his status as a junior.
Skating: 2/10
There’s not much to like about Leddy’s skating ability. His mechanics are a bit clunky, and he doesn’t generate much speed or get to his top speed quickly. His edgework is equally middling.
Hockey Sense: 2/10
In the offensive zone, Leddy struggles to make meaningful decisions. As with Hurtig, far too often, I see him opt to simply pass the puck to his partner rather than creatively move it down low. While it’s the safe play, I’d really prefer to see Leddy do something to generate higher-danger chances even if it comes at the cost of opportunities the other way.
Puck Skills: 1/10
I have legitimately no comments about his puck skills other than that they’re practically nonexistent.
Shot: 4/10
I actually like Leddy’s shot a bit and think that he should use it more. He has a good sense of timing when letting it rip from the blue line and can occasionally purposefully miss the net to generate a chance for his teammate. His slapshot is powerful but inaccurate, while his wrister is unimpressive.
Defensive Awareness: 5/10
I do like a lot of the things Leddy brings to the table defensively. In board battles, he is an effective tool for his team, either ensuring that the puck and puck carrier stay unmoving or getting the puck along the boards to an open teammate. He is an effective retriever as well, pouncing on loose pucks and getting them out of the zone with solid success rates. I would like to see him control that a bit more rather than just vying to dump it out as quickly as possible, but that is to be expected from a purely defense-first player.
Physicality/Size: 7/10
If there is one thing Leddy is confident in, it’s his ability to play physical hockey. He isn’t the biggest defender, at 6’2, 180-something, but he plays hard and mean. Early on in his NCAA career, he overdid it, leading to frequent visits to the penalty box (he had 47 PIM in his rookie season in just 35 games), but he has learned how to control that for the most part. Leddy seals off competition well, particularly along the boards, and is unafraid of contact and physical games.
NHL Comparable: Ilya Lyubushkin
NHL Ceiling: Injury Call-Up
NHL Likelihood: Longshot
It’s a far cry to imagine Leddy in an NHL uniform, but he may have a role as a depth AHL defender down the line.
No. 37: Jeremy Hanzel (LHD)
6th Round, 2023 (187th Overall) — 61 Games Played | 3 Goals | 19 Assists | 22 Total Points — Atlanta Gladiators (ECHL)
22-year-old defense prospect Jeremy Hanzel was given to the Devils as part of the trade that sent Erik Haula to the Nashville Predators. The Avalanche draftee has enjoyed a fall from grace in recent years, declining from his reign as one of the CHL’s most relied-upon all-situations defensemen to one who cannot crack an AHL roster. Perhaps, with the Utica Comets, things will be a bit different in that sense.
Skating: 2/10
Hands down, Hanzel’s most limiting factor is his skating ability. He’s slow and clunky, with atypical skating mechanics that prevent him from generating meaningful power. He accelerates poorly and has a low-end top speed, which are so bad that they negate any positivity about his lateral movement or edgework capabilities.
Hockey Sense: 5.5/10
I actually quite like Hanzel’s smarts, particularly from within the offensive zone. I’ve noticed a good bit of deception within his game, which, though it isn’t always executed at an NHL level, shows that his brain is active enough to keep up with high-level players. He’s quick to feign passes and shots in order to draw the defense into a certain position, and uses that to create advantages for himself and his teammates.
Another way in which Hanzel makes an impact with his brain is in heady pinches along the boards. He has a strong understanding of where to be and when in order to extend possessions through activation up the boards, keeping the puck in the offensive zone as long as physically possible. When he knows he is unable to make a difference in this facet of the game, he backs off to the neutral zone with the confidence that it was the correct play to make.
Puck Skills: 4/10
Honestly, Hanzel’s puck skills aren’t so bad for a defender of his caliber. In conjunction with his brain, he is able to use deception to his advantage with the occasional slick stick move or side-step and create just enough space to dole out a pass when under pressure. These occasions are fewer and further between than you’d like to see, but the execution is there, and it’s clear he is capable of more in this regard.
Shot: 2/10
Hanzel’s shot is largely unthreatening, solely being a danger to goaltenders when they have zero vision or wherewithal of the play. He needs to add both more accuracy and power to all of his shooting toolkit to make any sort of impression with both his wrist shot and one-timer from the point.
Defensive Awareness: 4.5/10
At the ECHL level, Hanzel’s defensive game is fine. He gets deployed in tough minutes with the expectation that he is to shut down the competition on a nightly basis, which he is able to do without issue.
The problems and kinks within his defensive game arise when tasked against legitimately tough competition. At the AHL level and beyond, he played far beyond his means, over-aggressing with stick checks and pokes and pushing too hard without the skating ability to recover from his mistakes. This made him prone to leaving his partner in odd-man situations and hanging his goaltender out to dry.
Physicality/Size: 5.5/10
Hanzel is a physical defender, but not in the stereotypical bruiser kind of way. Instead, he is strong on the puck and handling body checks from the opposition. Scarcely will he lose a one-on-one board battle, using decent body positioning as the foundation to absorb contact smartly and retaliate with the occasional hip check or shove along the boards. His sturdy frame (6’1, 195 pounds) lends itself well to this skill.
What Hanzel doesn’t do is throw open-ice hits, instead relying on positioning and stick checks through the neutral zone to get the job done defensively.
NHL Comparable: Dmitry Kulikov
NHL Ceiling: Injury Call-Up
NHL Likelihood: Longshot
Once upon a time, Hanzel’s outlook looked like that of a third-pairing defenseman. Without making a good impression in the AHL, though, he was relegated to the ECHL for the vast, vast majority of the 2024-25 season. Until he makes waves with Utica, he’s going to remain a long-shot injury call-up candidate at best. While his brain is strong and his physicality is already NHL-level, he must drastically improve his skating if he wishes to make a single impact worth a damn at even the AHL level.
No. 36: Trenten Bennett (G)
4th Round, 2025 (99th Overall) — 6 Games Played | .923 SV% | 2.65 GAA | 1-4-0 | 1 SO — Owen Sound Attack (OHL)
Without a doubt, my least favorite of the Devils’ seven 2025 Draft selections was early fourth-round overage goaltender Trenten Bennett. The monstrous 6’8 goalie was promoted from the CCHL to the OHL, where he sported extremely strong box score statistics in a minuscule six-game sample size despite losing four of his five starts.
Athleticism: 4/10
Athleticism is not Bennett’s strong suit as a goaltender, and, even though he was capable of making the odd desperation save, those happenings were few and far between. It seemed as though once Bennett was beaten on a play, he would give up fairly quickly rather than really trying to get any touch on the puck whatsoever in order to divert it from its path to the net.
Mobility: 3/10
With his frame being what it is, mobility is a predictable struggle for Bennett. It’s difficult for goaltenders of his size to move as quickly as they need to for cross-crease plays and passes, and, though his size makes up for some of that, it’s simply not enough. His butterfly is weak, as is his post-to-post lateral movement — for a huge guy, it’s seemingly much more difficult than perhaps it should be to generate the power he needs to get across with haste.
Positioning: 5/10
As a 6’8 goalie, one would expect positioning to be a strong suit, and that certainly holds true for Bennett. In particular, though he can struggle positioning himself around screens, he is effective in tight, sealing off the goalmouth quite well with his massive legspan and scarcely letting chaos get the better of him in those situations. Bennett knows that, in this location of the ice, moving minimally is the best option, and he leans into that ideology well.
Puck Tracking: 3/10
In watching each of his OHL starts, I came to the conclusion that his puck tracking abilities at that level are a firm product of OHLers not quite knowing the power of screens just yet. Too often did skaters leave a window for a clear view of the puck when he was starting, so it’s admittedly difficult to gauge whether his .923 save percentage (SV%) is a reasonable number considering what I viewed to be a lack of puck tracking aptitude. When he was met with any sort of vision impairment, Bennett showed clear panic and would rely more on his size and poor finishing to do the work for him rather than making a concerted effort to view where the puck was coming from and make an educated movement on where to be.
NHL Comparable: Mads Søgaard
NHL Ceiling: Injury Call-Up
NHL Likelihood: Longshot
At this point in time, it’s difficult for me to see Bennett ever touching NHL ice. Perhaps he can be an AHL-level backup goaltender simply by virtue of his size, but he’s going to need significant development in many facets of his game to progress further than that. I’m certainly doubting Martin Brodeur’s evaluations with this selection.
No. 35: Dylan Wendt (RW/C)
Undrafted — 40 Games Played | 8 Goals | 17 Assists | 25 Total Points — Adirondack Thunder (ECHL)
I’ll be the first to admit that when Dylan Wendt decided to sign with the Devils after a masterful NCAA season at Western Michigan University, I was ecstatic. I thought there were some excellent tools in there that were on full display in a difficult league, and that they were getting someone with legitimate NHL upside.
Boy, was I wrong. He’s tempered out significantly, and in many ways, has actually seen his toolkit diminish with a lack of confidence. It’s such a shame, too, because I really liked his game before. He bounced back and forth between the AHL and ECHL this past season but has spent the vast majority of his time in the latter league.
Skating: 4/10
I’m not in love with Wendt’s skating ability, but it isn’t necessarily a detriment to his game. His acceleration is solid, and while his top speed may not always match the level of his competition, I do think he can get to it faster than most. This allows him to beat defenders with bursts of speed on occasion. He also has the edges one would expect from a 6’1 forward, giving him the ability to lose coverage with a quick turn while in possession of the puck.
Hockey Sense: 5/10
Wendt has pretty good wherewithal in the offensive zone, finding himself in the right spot at the right time. He is effective at understanding when he can sneak into high-danger areas of the ice and has the shot to capitalize on those opportunities. At times, he can be caught puck-watching, and he can miss the occasional obvious play because he holds on to the puck for too long, but his knowledge of time and space relative to generating opportunities for himself makes up for those.
Shot: 5/10
I’m a fan of Wendt’s shot, and it’s something that his past teammates have cited as his best attribute. As Alex Bump put it, “Dylan only needs one chance to put the puck in the net.” His wrister is just as good as his snap shot, which can best goaltenders from a distance as well as from the inner slot. His one-timer is okay, but his other two shots make up for it. He also gets somewhat dangerous backhanded looks from time to time.
Defensive Awareness: 4/10
Some have touted Wendt’s defensive play as solid, but I disagree. He definitely tries and is a competitor in all zones, but the actual on-ice results tell a different story. He can get caught out of position and burned somewhat regularly, but as I said, the effort is never in question.
Physicality/Size: 3/10
Wendt is not overly big, nor is he overly physical, but he has grit in the sense that you can tell he’s trying every single shift. He possesses an unquestionable motor and wants to succeed, results be damned.
NHL Comparable: Ryan Donato
NHL Ceiling: Injury Call-Up
NHL Likelihood: Longshot
It’s highly unlikely that Wendt makes it to the NHL, but I would be shocked if he wasn’t eventually an impact player for the AHL — perhaps he caps out as a second-liner there — because I really do like a lot of his tools in a vacuum. He just hasn’t figured out how to put it all together, which is a shame.
No. 34: Cole Brown (LW/RW)
6th Round, 2023 (164th Overall) — 64 Games Played | 33 Goals | 35 Assists | 68 Total Points — Brantford Bulldogs (OHL)
I was pretty happy when the Devils picked Cole Brown in the sixth round in 2023 — the best players picked in the latter stages of the draft always have one or two really solid tools while the rest of their game is raw, and at the time, Brown had appeal in his NHL-level shot and puck skills. Flash forward to today, and he’s plateaued quite a bit in the Canadian Juniors.
His microstatistical profile, tracked by Mitchell Brown, tells the story of a fairly good to great offensive player, but it’s important to note that (Cole) Brown is a 19-year-old playing amongst mostly children. He’s bigger, more mature, and should be better than everyone else. Given those circumstances, the fact that he was outproduced by over 30 points by a linemate who was two years younger than him is concerning, so I’m not taking a whole lot of stock in the microstats that say “Well, there should be something here.”
Skating: 3/10
Brown has a clunky stride and struggles immensely to generate speed with and without the puck on his stick. Although somewhat powerful with the puck on his stick when performing power moves, his edgework also lacks, in that he can struggle at times to maneuver away from defenders who are trying to get the puck away from him.
Hockey Sense: 3/10
At the time he was drafted, Brown’s hockey sense was touted as one of his better attributes, but I disagree. While I think he possesses some underrated passing abilities —
— his positioning when his team is cycling in the offensive zone leaves a lot to be desired. I find that he stagnates a lot in the zone, particularly when he’s set up in the slot and around the netfront. Brown’s lack of movement stymies his team from developing as many opportunities as they would be able to if he were active in trying to get away from defenders covering him. He watches the puck when it is on the stick of his teammates and is content to just sit there and hope for defenders to lose interest rather than proactively moving within the zone.
Puck Skills: 5/10
I am somewhat impressed with his puck skills, particularly from in tight. When Brown does get the puck around the net, he is able to deke around the goaltender to make scoring opportunities for himself much easier. In stride, he possesses a somewhat wide array of dangles that he can use to get around defenders on occasion mano-a-mano, though the consistency there leaves a good bit to be desired. This makes him better suited for being a passenger player when on the rush, especially considering his general lack of foot speed.
Shot: 6/10
The best part of Brown’s game is unequivocally his shot. He has an NHL-level release that he can pull out in stride to beat goaltenders clean with deception. His one-timer is also a great tool, generating a surprising amount of power for how little he moves in his wind-up. He is able to use his one-timer in stride as well.
Defensive Awareness: 2/10
Brown is generally uninterested in defensive endeavors. Much like he does in the offensive zone, he puck watches in his own end, and it often leads to the opposing team generating high-danger chances with him on the ice.
Physicality/Size: 4/10
Brown is a bigger winger at 6’3 and 190ish pounds. He uses his size somewhat well, being able to fend off defenders with power moves on occasion. He doesn’t have a lot of bite or snarl to his game, though, which might do him some justice if his goal is to make The Show.
NHL Comparable: Morgan Geekie
NHL Ceiling: Shoot-first Passenger 3W or, much more likely, Injury Call-Up
If everything clicks for Brown — which I view as unlikely — he could tap out as a third-line scoring winger who would be best suited for playing alongside a playdriving center. I don’t think his skillset attributes very well to a fourth-line, grinder role, so it would have to be in a third-line capacity. In all honesty, though, that’s far from likely. His ceiling is likely capped out as an injury call-up, and even then, the odds are slim.
NHL Likelihood: Longshot
Brown has a lot to work on if he wants to make it to the NHL in any capacity. His skating is a huge issue, especially when paired with the fact that he doesn’t put himself in positions to succeed in the offensive zone while his teammates have the puck. There are players who can’t skate well and make it off their smarts — Jason Robertson, Dylan Strome, Jeff Skinner — but Brown doesn’t really have either of those things. The two most appealing assets to his game — his shot and his puck skills — mean nothing if he doesn’t really do anything else of note. He might be worth signing to an AHL deal just to see if there’s any growth in a year or two, with his rights expiring on July 1, but chances are slim of the Devils keeping him around in their system.
No. 33: Artyom Barabosha (RHD)
7th Round, 2022 (198th Overall) — 32 Games Played | 1 Goal | 4 Assists | 5 Total Points — Zvezda Moskva (VHL)
For a last-round selection, Barabosha was as good a pick as any at the time. His draft-year production left a bit to be desired, but as we all know, GM Tom Fitzgerald will find any excuse to draft a physical defenseman with size, and at 198th overall, I can’t really complain. In fact, he dropped off significantly from the fourth-round consensus he was on draft day simply because of the Russia factor, though He’s bounced back and forth between the KHL and their second-tier league, the VHL, for the past two seasons.
Skating: 3/10
Skating forward, I have a limited number of qualms with Barabosha’s abilities. His acceleration is below average, as is his top speed, but his mechanics are fine, and I suspect those can be changed if he lowers his center of gravity a bit while in stride. The issues really lie in when he’s skating backward, with his clunky and seemingly off-balance transitions between going forward and backward, forcing him to bail on cycle situations for fear that he’s going to get beaten if he doesn’t proactively change direction.
Hockey Sense: 1/10
This is where Barabosha’s game lacks the most. With the puck, it feels like he truly doesn’t know what’s going on most of the time. He rarely scans the ice for developing plays and will shoot the puck into the corner with no rhyme or reason to it instead of taking the time to plan out a course of action or pass to an open teammate. As mentioned above, his skating is likely the culprit, but he really needs to slow the game down a bit when he’s in the offensive zone.
Puck Skills: 1/10
As you’d expect from a defense-first blueliner, Barabosha poses no threat with the puck.
Shot: 3/10
Barabosha’s shot is the best asset of his toolkit from an offensive perspective. He has a powerful slap shot, which he uses to generate rebounds from the point, and will occasionally activate in anticipation of a one-timer from closer to the net. Those opportunities are few and far between, though, so it’s not like that’s a regular aspect of his game. His wrist shot is nothing to write home about, but it isn’t a detriment to his game.
Defensive Awareness: 5.5/10
Barabosha closes gaps well, being extremely quick to pounce on an opportunity to lay the body on a transitioning forward. His stickwork is fine, but he really just prefers to use physicality and shoulder checks to get the job done in that regard, especially one-on-one. In board battles, he’s generally unrelenting and doesn’t relent in abusing his target to free up the puck. He excels in systems where his defense partner can cover for him if things go awry on a mistimed body check.
Physicality/Size: 9/10
Though not necessarily the biggest defenseman stature-wise, at 6’2, 198, Barabosha definitely plays like he’s gigantic. No matter the circumstance, you can bet that he’s going to be a physical presence, making it known to opposing forwards that it’s his ice they’re skating on. In one-on-one situations, he makes risky plays with his body in an attempt to punish the attacking forward physically, which he can occasionally get caught on, but he generally has a good gauge of when to engage. He drops the mitts on occasion, too. Enjoy the two clips below of gigantic hits Barabosha has thrown:
The hit above is on former first-overall selection Juraj Slafkovský.
NHL Comparable: Anton Volchenkov
NHL Ceiling: Injury Call-Up
NHL Likelihood: Slim
It’s hard for me to envision a future in which Barabosha ever makes the jump overseas to North America. He hasn’t made an impact at the KHL level yet and has two more years on his contract over there, and I’d anticipate that his game will never be refined enough to play quickly. He’s fun to watch, though, by proxy of his unrelenting physicality. If he ever does make the jump, it’ll be years from now.
No. 32: Mikaël Diotte (RHD)
Undrafted — 2 Games Played | 1 Goal | 1 Assist | 2 Total Points — Adirondack Thunder (ECHL)
Mikaël Diotte is admittedly a tough one to place within the Devils’ pipeline simply because he hasn’t seen ice since going down with an injury in early November (just after he’d scored his first professional goal). He was signed to a three-year, entry-level contract (ELC) in May, so the Devils have Diotte in their system for a further two years.
Skating: 4/10
Diotte’s skating is decent for what he brings to the table—solid defensive play and practically nothing on offense. He skates backward well, pivoting and changing direction quickly to react to developing plays. His acceleration is just alright, and he can occasionally get burned by quicker players off the rush, though that’s not usually an issue. Top speed-wise, there’s nothing to write home about, nor do his edges impress me, but he gets the job done when defending zone entries and tracking players in his own end.
Hockey Sense: 4/10
Offensively speaking, there isn’t a whole lot of substance to Diotte’s game, though he does possess some underrated puck-moving tendencies. I think he has a solid enough first pass to not be completely useless on the breakout and you’ll see him jump into a rush play from time to time. I don’t think his passing is all that impressive — he doesn’t have much zip when he gives the puck to his teammates, which will limit him in a cycle setting in tougher leagues.
Puck Skills: 2/10
There’s not much to say about his puck skills — Diotte is a defensive defenseman, so there’s really no need for him to show off his deking. He usually doesn’t have the puck on his stick enough to even warrant making moves, either, but when he does, he is usually content to just dump it into the corner or pass it to his defense partner up top.
Shot: 2/10
I’m not impressed by Diotte’s shot whatsoever. Shooting isn’t his role, though, so his generally inaccurate slapshot and weak wrist shot don’t really matter all that much to me.
Defensive Awareness: 7/10
The calling card to Diotte’s game is his defensive play, which is legitimately good compared to his peers. He won the Kevin Lowe Trophy — awarded to the QMJHL’s best defensive defenseman — for good reason then and hasn’t faltered in that regard at the higher levels. He has a good stick, though from what I’ve seen he likes to play the body more when one-on-one.
Diotte’s strong suit, to me, is his positioning when the opposition is on the cycle. He takes away passing lanes well and is completely unafraid of sacrificing his body to block high-danger opportunities. I think he tracks the flow of play well and is able to correctly identify when to engage in a board battle and where to be in order to initiate one with a solid success rate. Once engaged in those board battles, he uses his size and motor to make sure his team comes out with the puck.
Physicality/Size: 6/10
Diotte is a big defenseman, at 6’3, 205ish pounds, and he uses his size to his advantage when defending, both on the rush and in board battles. He closes gaps with his body rather than using his stick to break plays up, separating his man from the puck when need be. I like his approach along the boards — Diotte rarely loses a puck battle, especially when the forward is smaller than him, as he knows he can just punish the forward in question to free it up. He does it rather disciplined, too, not being called for all that many penalties.
NHL Comparable: Olli Määttä
NHL Ceiling: Seventh Defenseman
NHL Likelihood: Hard to Tell
Again, it’s admittedly pretty difficult to project Diotte considering the very little time he spent actually playing hockey this past season. I thought he looked okay in the Devils’ preseason this past year, but I don’t really have much to say about his game other than that he’s solid defensively and won’t do much of anything on offense. He could be either a seventh defenseman, an injury call-up, or a career second-pairing AHLer. His defensive game is mature, to be sure, but he’s going to have to learn how to adapt to faster play from an offensive standpoint if he wants to make an impression. There’s a legit chance he could rise up these ranks next season.
No. 31: Veeti Louhivaara (G)
5th Round, 2024 (146th Overall) — 18 Games Played | .902 SV% | 2.94 GAA | 4-11-0 | 0 SHO — JYP U20 (U20 SM-sarja)
I’m definitely a bit more bullish on Veeti Louhivaara compared to most, and I attribute that to the belief that his drawbacks can be taught out of him. His strengths are truly excellent, and if he can tweak just a couple of things within his game, there’s some projectability at an NHL level. Until he proves otherwise, though, 26th is a fair ranking.
Athleticism: 4.5/10
I haven’t seen an overwhelming amount of athleticism within Louhivaara’s game, but I don’t necessarily believe it’s a problem, either. I never really saw him with a need to pull out a desperation save. For a 6’4 goalie, this is to be expected, as he doesn’t necessarily need to rely on athleticism as much. Still, his push-offs are excellent, and he can make cross-crease reaction saves when called upon to do so.
Mobility: 7/10
If ever there was a strength to Louhivaara’s game, it’s in his side-to-side mobility and butterfly. Starting with the latter, he possesses a very wide butterfly, meaning that he can reach both posts with minimal lateral movement needed when he’s playing deep in the crease by proxy of his ability to make a near-straight line with his pads when dropping down.
This also gives him better push-off abilities from side to side, which allows him to react to quickly developing plays behind the net and across the crease. By all accounts, it’s the best part of his game.
Positioning: 3/10
The downside to Louhivaara’s wide butterfly and ability to cover the lower part of the net supremely well with his pads is that he tends to have an overreliance on doing so. He knows that it’s a strength of his game, and he positions himself accordingly, having a strange hunch when dropping into the butterfly that exposes him in the upper portions of the net. It’s by far the biggest knock on his game, in my opinion. He also stays in the butterfly for far too long at times, putting himself in a position to fail by doing so.
The other positional issue that he has is that he can be caught playing extremely deep in his crease, giving opposing shooters more angles to beat him. The great part about all of this is that it’s teachable, but for now, it’s a real detriment to his projectability.
Puck Tracking: 6/10
I do think he tracks the puck pretty well, being able to fight through screens when applicable and seldom losing sight of pucks he can see from the get-go. He anticipates play somewhat well, even if his positioning might not tell that story.
NHL Comparable: Ville Husso
NHL Ceiling: NHL Backup
NHL Likelihood: Slim
As with every goalie picked in the later rounds, Louhivaara is very raw. What he does well, he does well, and what he lacks at, he really lacks at. It will certainly take some time for him to figure things out. We all know that goalies are impossible to project, but I can see an NHL backup role for him five or six years down the line if he adjusts his approach a bit from a positioning standpoint.
No. 30: Jonathan Gruden (LW/RW)
4th Round, 2018 (95th Overall) — 46 Games Played | 7 Goals | 6 Assists | 13 total Points — Utica Comets (AHL)
Jonathan Gruden was acquired at 2024’s trade deadline in the trade that brought Cody Glass to the Devils. Once upon a time, Gruden was a decent prospect, but things have tempered out over the years, and he no longer looks like the surefire fourth-liner he was projected to become.
Skating: 5.5/10
In a straight line, Gruden can outskate most of his peers. His acceleration is decent to above average, too, so he gets to that top speed relatively quickly. I don’t think his edgework and ability to pivot are all that impressive, though, which has probably held him back from furthering his career and offensive output. He relies much more on the straight-line speed to get around defenders in one-on-one situations.
Hockey Sense: 4.5/10
From my limited viewings, Gruden’s hockey sense is decent for what he provides. He has a general understanding of where his teammates will be and can execute nifty give-and-goes, like this:
Beyond that, he finds himself in good positioning when he doesn’t have the puck, either putting himself in areas of the ice to capitalize on passing opportunities or having the wherewithal to preemptively start skating back into the neutral zone in anticipation of a breakout the other way.
Puck Skills: 3/10
Gruden relies much more on hard work than individual skill to make things happen on the ice. I haven’t seen much of his stick skills, but he can occasionally deke out a goaltender from in tight when called upon.
Shot: 4/10
Gruden has a bit of an underrated shot, though I don’t think there’s enough there to warrant a plus rating. He doesn’t shoot particularly often, and that is probably due to some level of lack of confidence in the product. His wrist shot can beat goalies clean, though, and his release is pretty quick. His one-timer is also decent, but seeing it is a rarity which he only really pulls out in odd-man opportunities when they arise.
Defensive Awareness: 5/10
As with all hardworking energy-line-type players, his defensive work is rooted in his willingness to be a pest to puck carriers. He is an active puck pursuer in cycle situations and will absolutely annoy pointmen to the point where they will, on occasion, turn the puck over to him. Gruden also shows no fear in getting in shooting lanes when need be.
Physicality/Size: 6/10
Despite his 6’0, 172-pound stature, Gruden plays the body a lot, being a key member of AHL checking lines. He is aggressive on the forecheck and is a very hard worker, which has been the reason he’s seen NHL time in his career and was a fan-favorite with the Wilkes-Barre Penguins. His grit and work ethic are undeniable, which sometimes bites him in the form of taking needless penalties because he tries too hard to get the puck back.
NHL Comparable: Garnet Hathaway
NHL Ceiling: 4th Line Energy Forward
NHL Likelihood: Somewhat Likely
Gruden has already spent some time in the NHL in his career, having played 16 games for the Pittsburgh Penguins between the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons. There’s a chance he has the same role in New Jersey as an energy-spark fourth-line injury call-up or carves out a niche role for himself down the line. Time is ticking, though, for the 24-year-old.
No. 29: Samu Salminen (C/LW)
3rd Round, 2021 (68th Overall) — 40 Games Played | 10 Goals | 15 Assists | 25 Total Points — Univ. of Denver (NCAA)
At the time of the draft back in 2021, Salminen was an excellent pick with a reasonably high ceiling. His smarts were among the best in the draft class, and he’d been killing it in the U20 Sm-sarja. That continued for another year, where he was above a point-per-game player in that league, though it was a bit of a concern that he hadn’t made the move up to Liiga yet. Once he joined the NCAA, his production really took a dip, and he hasn’t quite reached that potential.
Skating: 3/10
Salminen has shown flashes of good speed and acceleration in a straight line, but his consistency is lacking and generally a concern. I also don’t think his lateral mobility is impressive. Weak edges prevent him from performing the movements he wants to perform. To me, it’s the weakest part of his offensive toolkit.
Hockey Sense: 6/10
Salminen has always been touted as a heady player, and though the point totals are pretty unimpressive, that does hold true. He has a general awareness of where his teammates are on the ice at all times and is able to find them with some nifty passing plays at times. He has good vision, scanning the ice well enough to find open teammates on nearly every extended possession. Salminen can anticipate the flow of play a step or two ahead, with and without the puck, and put himself in a good position accordingly. I’ve always been impressed by his IQ.
His hockey sense has particularly shown in the last couple of seasons as a power-play puck distributor, knowing how to draw in defenders in order to generate space for his teammates. When Salminen doesn’t have the puck on the man advantage, he puts himself in prime scoring areas without drawing attention from coverage.
Puck Skills: 3/10
Salminen entered his draft year with the ideology that he could do more with the puck than he really could, but that’s come down to Earth (and rightfully so) in his time in the NCAA. He’ll still occasionally try more than his hands can actually do, turning the puck over in the process, but he has come pretty far in this regard. The thought process behind the dekes is generally the right one, but the hands just don’t match.
The odd thing is that extremely rarely, everything seems to click for a moment in Salminen’s puck-skills game. 95% of the time, his brain is operating at a level his hands can’t perform at, but 5% of the time, you get moments like this:
Shot: 5/10
Whereas his shot was a strength a few years ago and he was really dialed in as a dual threat offensively, Salminen’s shot hasn’t taken any steps forward, and I don’t consider it quite as menacing anymore. I don’t think it’s bad by any means, but I’d have liked to see more growth over the seasons. His wrist shot is the best of the bunch, with a relatively quick and deceptive release that will, on occasion, beat goaltenders from distance as well as in the slot.
Salminen’s one-timer is rarely used, and I’ve only really seen him pull out a backhand on breakaways, to which he’s used it in an attempt to bury it in the five-hole. He’s going to need to develop a bigger arsenal to make it. His hand-eye coordination is a strength, though, being able to tip and deflect pucks accurately from both immediately in front of the net and in stride from distance.
Defensive Awareness: 6.5/10
Salminen has transformed his game into primarily being a defensively minded player. With the University of Denver, he has turned into a top penalty killer and player in defensive situations, and for good reason. He is one of the top faceoff guys in the league (nearly 58% in the dot) and positions himself quite well in the defensive zone. He is annoying and active in pursuit of puck carriers, occasionally generating turnovers for himself, and doesn't shy away from getting in shooting lanes or engaging in board battles.
Physicality/Size: 4/10
Salminen is not overly physical, relying more on his stickwork on the defensive side of things despite his sturdy 6’2, 205-pound stature. He doesn’t often use power moves to get around defensemen and isn’t as active on the forecheck as I’d like to see. He relies more on his off-puck instincts in this regard
NHL Comparable: Nico Sturm
NHL Ceiling: 4th Line Center
NHL Likelihood: Unlikely
He had an incredibly encouraging 2021-22 season in the U20 SM-sarja, but since his move to the NCAA, he has largely been unable to score points in a faster-paced environment. That would be more concerning if he weren’t an all-situations, defensively minded center who can win faceoffs in clutch situations, but it still makes me think he’s probably not going to make it to the NHL.
No. 28: Josh Filmon (LW/RW)
6th Round, 2022 (166th Overall) — 54 Games Played | 17 Goals | 12 Assists | 29 Total Points | Adirondack Thunder (ECHL)
Josh Filmon got Devils fans excited in his D+1 season, one in which he scored 47 goals in 65 WHL games and earned himself a spotlight from Amanda Stein talking about how much hype he’d been generating within the organization. He’s fallen off dramatically, though, and doesn’t look the part of the sixth-round steal he was making things out to be at first. He took a step backward in the WHL in 2023-24, scoring half the goals and fewer points, and hasn’t made things work at the AHL, either, leading him to be relegated to the ECHL (where he also hasn’t dominated).
Skating: 2.5/10
Filmon has ugly mechanics from a skating standpoint. He still has little ankle flexion when moving, preventing him from generating nearly as much power as you’d want to see from a player of his stature. As he fills out — which he still desperately needs to do — this should, in theory, become less of an issue. If he puts on 20-30 pounds, he’ll be able to generate power more naturally and completely change his skating game, but until then it’s a legitimate worry. His straight-line speed is lacking, as is his acceleration, because he doesn’t shift weight onto the ball of his foot while skating, preventing him from putting as much force into the ice as you’d want to see. His edgework is unimpressive as well.
Hockey Sense: 4/10
From an offensive standpoint, Filmon has a decently high hockey IQ from within the zone. His off-puck movements are strong — whereas some players are content to find their spots and stick to them, Filmon doesn’t stop moving in the offensive zone, deceiving defenders into thinking he’s in one spot while he sneaks to another. This is particularly useful in front of the net; whereas defenders expect him to be parked directly in front like the stereotypical netfront guy, Filmon will slink a bit to the side, putting himself in prime scoring position for easy tap-ins that appear with cross-crease puck movement.
Where Filmon lacks is in his transitional and rush hockey sense. He’s not much of a playmaker on the rush, looking off teammates who are in a much better position to score in favor of even low-danger chances for himself. He’ll do just about anything to not be the playdriver on his line, too, which is a concern. This causes him to disappear for much of the time, fading into the background of the game and leaving you guessing as to whether or not he even played.
Puck Skills: 5/10
While his shot is his best asset (more on that in a short while), Filmon does possess a decent collection of dekes that he can pull out to make things happen one-on-one. He does his best work off-puck but has flash-in-the-pan moments that make fans and scouts yearn for more. Filmon likes to fake moves with his head and eyes to push defenders in one direction before drawing the puck back and going the opposite way, which has worked wonders for him in both the CHL and ECHL. I hope that when he really fills out, which will drastically improve the power he’s able to generate skating-wise, he transforms his game into leaning more into being the puck carrier because he can do some exciting things at his full speed already.
Shot: 6/10
Filmon does have an excellent shot, and that has been clear throughout his career. He is an expert in using the momentum of a pass and very rarely needs to compose the puck on his stick before ripping it. His wrist shot is definitely already NHL-level — quickly released and accurate — and his one-timer is an asset to boot. He has okay hand-eye coordination, which is probably something he’s going to want to improve on considering his penchant for becoming the netfront presence, though if he continues to play the way he already does (sneaking into open ice on the side of the net for easy put-ins), this is less of an issue to me.
Defensive Awareness: 1/10
Filmon is completely unengaged from a defensive standpoint, wanting pretty much nothing to do with playing in his own end. He puck watches a lot and stands still a lot, and he has been exposed for doing so at the pro level.
Physicality/Size: 3/10
Filmon has decent height, at 6’3, but needs to put the work in to fill out at just 170 pounds. You can see that he wants to make an impact in forechecking, but is literally too light to do so. He can perform power moves at times, but other times he’s checked off the puck while trying one by larger, stronger defensemen. Filling out has been touted as a necessity practically since his draft year, and it’s still the truth now.
NHL Comparable: Daniel Sprong (But Slow)
NHL Ceiling: 3rd Line Passenger Winger
NHL Likelihood: Longshot
At this point, it’s hard to project Filmon to play NHL games, even though I’d like to see it desperately. It’s extra difficult to project him simply because he doesn’t have a playstyle that would work for a fourth line or as a 13th forward — he’d need to play on the third line at minimum to be successful considering he isn’t much of a grinder or defensive specialist, and that adds an extra layer for the player who has struggled to do much of anything in even the ECHL.
No. 27: David Rozsíval (LW)
6th Round, 2025 (161st Overall) - 30 Games Played | 17 Goals | 20 Assists | 37 Total Points - Bílí Tygři Liberec (Czechia U20)
One of Czechia’s best draft-eligible players, David Rozsíval, was handed to the Devils on a silver platter at 161st overall. Many projections had him being drafted far earlier than the sixth round, and though he doesn't have a particularly high ceiling, he does have a floor high enough that there is some NHL projectability. At the worst, the Devils drafted someone who will be a professional hockey player for a long time, be it overseas or with interim call-ups to the big leagues.
Skating: 5/10
While Rozsíval does have some average to above-average burst ability, his top speed is just average and doesn’t allow him to create much separation between himself and the coverage. His mobility and edgework are strong enough, too.
What is impressive, to me, is how quickly he is able to accelerate from a standstill with the puck on his stick. Additionally, he can execute plays with possession of the puck at full speed, something that many unpolished prospects — like himself — struggle to do.
Hockey Sense: 4/10
I do think Rozsíval has some underrated offensive hockey sense, but the vast, vast majority of that comes from his ability to create offense off of power moves. Whether he has the wherewithal of his teammates’ locations on the ice during these times or just throws the puck aimlessly on net after executing a power move, things seem to happen in those situations becaus of Rozsíval’s efforts.
Beyond that, he occasionally puts himself in a position for a high-quality rebound chance, being able to skirt around defensemen without drawing too much attention and allowing his teammates to put a rebound-oriented shot on net in hopes that he can capitalize:
With the puck on his stick outside of making power moves, though, things are a bit more of a struggle for him. I think Rozsíval is a bit flighty with the puck, lacking patience with playmaking opportunities and not really slowing the game down or thinking cerebrally. This makes him a bit of an offensive liability when operating on the cycle.
Puck Skills: 4/10
Rozsíval has his moments, but the vast majority of the time, his hands are pretty stony. With time and space, he can execute some low-skill dekes and dangles — particularly lateral stick movements and the occasional toe drag — with clinical success, but with any pressure comes a shyness away from these movements because of a lack of confidence in them. Every now and then, you get moments like the one below, but even then, you can see the stiff nature of his movements:
Shot: 4/10
Rozsíval’s shot is fine. He can, very rarely, beat goalies from a distance with a quick-triggered wrister, but the vast majority of the time, the most damage he’ll do from a goal-scoring perspective is via rebounds and crease crashing. His hand-eye coordination and deflection abilities are equally okay, and he doesn’t pose much of a threat with his one-timer, though it is effective at potting home those aforementioned rebounds.
Defensive Awareness: 5/10
If Rozsíval ever makes it to the NHL, it will be on the back of his defensive work. As savvy as he can be with off-puck positioning in the offensive zone, this ability of his is exacerbated more so in his defensive work. He scarcely positions poorly and is quite adaptive to the flow of play. By that, I mean that he is cognizant of position-switching when the situation calls for it; if, for example, he’s glued to a guy carrying the puck down low, you’ll occasionally see him communicate with head motions to switch positions with the player who would otherwise be there so as to maintain full coverage as a team.
Rozsíval also has an active stick, and his forechecking abilities bleed over to backchecking as well. He presses and engages the puck carriers smartly, which will take a step forward as he fills out and becomes more comfortable using his body instead of just his stick.
Physicality/Size: 4/10
Rozsíval is somewhat physical, particularly when operating off the forecheck, and I have to imagine he will only become more so with some filling out. He’s 5’11, but only a shade over 150 pounds, giving much headway to beefing up and becoming an even stronger player. His frame being what it is makes his puck protection skills all the more impressive, and he should become infinitely more dangerous in those scenarios once he has some meat on his bones. Adding another layer of physicality to his defensive game and pressuring attacking players in that way will also be a huge boost to his stock as a could-be NHLer.
NHL Comparable: Blake Lizotte
NHL Ceiling: Fourth-Line Forechecking Winger
NHL Likelihood: Unlikely
Though I do think that his high-floor nature as a forechecker and motor-oriented player lends itself well to a fourth-line projectability, there is a reason that Rozsíval didn’t go before the sixth round, and it’s because of his extremely limited skill ceiling. For now, until proven otherwise, it’s going to be a long road if he wishes to make the NHL someday.
No. 26: Chase Cheslock (RHD)
5th Round, 2023 (154th Overall) — 38 Games Played | 1 Goal | 13 Assists | 14 Total Points — Univ. of St. Thomas (NCAA)
I considered putting Cheslock lower on this list, but I like his defensive skills quite a bit. In his second season of college hockey, he logged meaningful minutes with the University of St. Thomas and should be pushing for true 1D minutes next season with them.
Skating: 5/10
I’m actually a pretty big fan of Cheslock’s mobility. He has the straight-line ability to be active and successful in zone exits and can accelerate to his top speed pretty quickly. When operating as the puck carrier in the offensive zone, I generally like his ability to move laterally in order to put himself in areas of the zone to shoot with a screen, though when moving in transition, I feel as though his edges could use some work. As a defenseman who excels in puck retrievals and crease-clearing, though, the fact that he can turn that into legitimate zone exits with the puck on his stick is encouraging.
Hockey Sense: 3/10
Cheslock’s in-zone offensive hockey sense is what you’d expect from a crease-clearing defenseman. His puck distribution generally involves giving the puck to his partner at the blue line and letting them do the heavy lifting from a playmaking standpoint, but he can, on occasion, contribute to that as well. His vision is limited, though, so at times, that can look like just sending the puck down the boards and praying that one of his teammates finds it before the opposition does.
Puck Skills: 2/10
As with most defensive defensemen, Cheslock doesn’t really pose a threat when handling the puck.
Shot: 2/10
While he does get some legitimate power behind his slap shots from the point, Cheslock doesn’t use that tool very often, so it’s admittedly difficult to gauge just how dangerous it can be. I would like to see him use it much, much more than he has (55 shots in 38 games). His wrist shot doesn’t move the needle at all, though I’ve liked what I’ve seen from an improvement standpoint there — he can get it through screens on occasion, which is how he scored his lone goal of the season:
Defensive Awareness: 7.5/10
The stereotypical crease-clearing defenseman practically no longer exists, but Cheslock is a testament to them still having use at high-level hockey. No Devils prospect is as apt at preventing chances around the netfront as he is, and I’m not sure there are any players on the main squad who are, either. You can tell in watching him that he has an intrinsic hatred for any opposing player who dares trespass on his net — cross-checking, stick-lifting, stick-chopping, and physical harassment are all staples within Cheslock’s game once the puck nears his goaltender.
When the play is not near the goal, things get a bit dicier, but he still finds himself at home getting in the way of shots and ensuring that no cross-crease passes go down. He can get beat off the rush, but scarcely puts himself out of position when the opposition is in the cycle. When the flow of play calls for it, Cheslock is also an asset in puck retrievals, being annoying in board battles in order to get the puck back for his team.
Physicality/Size: 6.5/10
Cheslock is a pretty physical defender, particularly around the net, as I said. He has a disdain for his opposition, and it shows in any sort of battle, be it in front of the net or along the boards. He’s relatively huge, at 6’3, 205 pounds, and uses his size well to bully opponents off the puck when need be.
NHL Comparable: Ian Cole
NHL Ceiling: 3rd Pair Defensive Defenseman
NHL Likelihood: Unlikely
I do honestly quite like Cheslock’s defensive playstyle and think that it can translate well to the big leagues, but I do think he’s going to need an upgrade in the offensive skillset he has, particularly in his shot. Big, mobile, crease-clearers don’t come around too often, though, so there could be something there down the line.
No. 25: Kasper Pikkarainen (RW)
3rd Round, 2024 (85th Overall) — 2 Games Played | 1 Goal | 0 Assists | 1 Total Point — TPS U20 (U20 Sm-sarja)
Kasper Pikkarainen is an incredibly difficult player to discuss, as he only very recently returned to play after an ugly preseason injury prevented him from logging a single minute to that point. He’s the stereotypical Tom Fitzgerald forward pick, generally lacking individual skill but with decent enough production and a bruising, physical playstyle. It didn’t feel right putting him any higher or lower than right here simply because I only watched his first two games after returning from injury.
Skating: 2/10
Pikkarainen is an ugly skater for the most part. His stride comes at an upright position, raising his center of gravity in the process, which limits his top speed in general. His tree-trunk legs are powerful enough to boast some level of explosion, though I do feel as though that would be even more of an asset if he were to hunch over in his stride a bit more to lower his center of gravity. His upright nature lets others walk around him pretty easily, and he doesn’t have the edgework aptitude to keep up at all.
Hockey Sense: 4/10
I like Pikkarainen’s playmaking chops a bit more than most, particularly from the perimeter of the ice. He sees the ice relatively well when from a standstill, which only really occurs when he isn’t receiving pressure and he has time to think. In those rare times, though, he is able to find unexpected plays that catch defenders and goaltenders off guard. He does struggle with decision-making when the pace is higher, though, looking off opportunities to pass in favor of a low-danger shot more often than you’d like to see. I wish he’d be able to slow the game down a bit more with the puck on his stick while he’s moving.
Puck Skills: 2.5/10
Pikkarainen doesn’t boast an overwhelmingly strong puckhandling ability as many of the power forwards in the NHL possess. I think his hands are a bit clunky, nor does he have more than a couple of moves to pull from. He has strong puck-carrying ability, though, but that comes more from his size and strength than his hands themselves.
Shot: 4/10
I do think Pikkarainen’s shot is better than some give credit for, with the innate ability to get it off on the rush with power. As you’d expect from a player of his size (6’3, 200), his shot is heavy and can beat goaltenders clean with its speed alone. His wrister is okay, but he projects his target a bit with a semi-drawn-out release that gives goalies time to react accordingly. If he can quicken the release there and work on changing the angles of his shots, there is a legit goal-scoring threat there, in my opinion.
Defensive Awareness: 5.5/10
Pikkarainen’s defensive positioning is generally pretty strong, and he’s an incredibly active participant in board battles. Most of that stems from his want to punish his opponents physically, but he is generally successful in those endeavors.
Physicality/Size: 8/10
There isn’t an opportunity to play the body that Pikkarainen won’t lean into. If he has a chance to perform a power move to create contact, he’ll do it. If he has a chance to check someone hard en route to a board battle, he’ll do it. If he has a chance to perform a reverse hit, he’ll do it. If he has a chance for a big open-ice collision, he’ll do it. Pikkarainen is a hard-hitting, aggressive forechecker who creates time and space for himself and his teammates by dropping defenders and outmuscling them when necessary. Again, he’s the quintessential Tom Fitzgerald draft selection.
NHL Comparable: Tanner Jeannot
NHL Ceiling: 4th Line Winger
NHL Likelihood: Unlikely
As I mentioned in his introductory blurb, it’s really hard to gauge where his game is at simply because he has barely played at all since getting drafted. Pikkarainen does have the playstyle to jump into a fourth-line role down the line, but the rest of his kit, to me, is lacking enough that I don’t believe he’ll make it very far. He could have a strong pro career in Europe, though.
No. 24: Nathan Légaré (RW/LW)
3rd Round, 2019 (74th Overall) — 57 Games Played | 12 Goals | 6 Assists | 18 Total Points — Utica Comets (AHL)
Nathan Légaré makes his money with a supreme work ethic. He isn’t going to wow you with his offensive toolkit, but he has the drive and wants to make it to the big leagues. He was a part of a minor league trade that brought him to Utica, and he earned an NHL contract from there. The point totals don’t jump off the page either, but he may end up as a fourth liner simply because of how hard he works.
Skating: 4/10
In a straight line, Légaré is a relatively strong skater with decent explosion and an above-average top speed. Going back to his draft year, his feet were a legitimate issue, so it’s encouraging to see the growth he’s had in the past two or three years in this regard. His edge work and pivoting abilities still need work, though, as he doesn’t skate particularly well when rotating and struggles to transition between forward and backward skating. I’m not sure that matters all that much or affects his ability to get to the NHL, but it would certainly be nice if he could turn himself into a threat off the cycle by improving his ability to change direction.
Hockey Sense: 3.5/10
I don’t see a whole lot of vision in Légaré’s game, opting more for using his work ethic to create plays off the forecheck than his smarts. His off-puck movement is pretty unimpressive, but he will rarely have a light-bulb moment where he realizes where he needs to be. In those times, that usually ends up with him slipping the defense to put himself in a high-danger area of the ice, usually around the goal mouth. Most of the time, though, Légaré is more content to just park himself in one location until he sees the opportunity to jump into a board battle. I know that seems counterintuitive to my praise for his work ethic, but I believe it’s just because he doesn’t think the game at a high enough level, not because he doesn’t want to try.
Puck Skills: 3/10
Again, Légaré’s game is rooted in playing hard much more than soft skill and IQ. His hands are no exception to that rule — while he does possess somewhat quick lateral movement with his hands, most of that comes to use in entering the zone on the rare occasion he doesn’t dump and chase, and I don’t think I’ve actually ever seen him pull off a deke or make a move in tight space.
Shot: 6/10
Without a doubt, Légaré’s best asset is his shot. It was true when he was drafted by the Penguins six years ago, and it’s still true now. He has an extremely heavy release, generating immense amounts of power from his back legs when in stride to get a hard shot off that can beat goaltenders outright. At times, he can also pull out a dangerous one-timer, though his wrist and snap shots are the better of the bunch in my opinion. I’d actually like to see him shoot quite a bit more than he does because I feel as though his release is that good.
Defensive Awareness: 5/10
Defensive play was always an issue for Légaré, but things have simmered down in that regard, and he now looks generally poised in his own end. He positions himself well enough to take away shooting lanes and force his man to the outside or to annoy his man with an active poke check. He’s a true puck hound when the opposition is cycling.
Physicality/Size: 7/10
Légaré isn’t a gigantic player, height-wise, at 6’0, but he is an incredibly stocky 205 pounds and uses that heft to his advantage. He’s strong both on and off the puck, contributing heavily to hitting on the forecheck and using power moves to get to the net when the opportunity arises. His motor is incessant, too, and he uses that to annoy opponents along the board and grind away at retrieving the puck. He won’t turn down an opportunity to lay the body, either, doling out 12 hits in his three games in the big leagues this past season and generally being an extraordinarily active forechecker. Players with his frame and work ethic largely use physicality as an asset to their game, and Légaré is no different.
NHL Comparable: Kiefer Sherwood
NHL Ceiling: Fourth Line Energy Winger
NHL Likelihood: Likely
Beyond his skillset, Légaré’s work ethic will get him NHL reps. As head coach Sheldon Keefe said, “He [plays] like a guy that wants to be in the NHL and knows who he is.” For a head coach to note that about a player who has only played a few games in his career is an encouraging sign for the rest of Légaré’s path. It might just be in a 13th-forward capacity, or he could see an extended look as a fourth-liner, but I’m fairly confident in saying he’ll play more at the NHL level.
No. 23: Daniil Orlov (LHD)
4th Round, 2022 (110th Overall) — 52 Games Played | 5 Goals | 10 Assists | 15 Total Points — Spartak Moskva (KHL)
Daniil Orlov, at the time of the pick, was considered a bit of a reach, albeit one who could develop into a 6/7D with enough time, patience, and luck. Flash forward three years, and things are a bit promising, though there’s still much work to do for the young left-handed blueliner.
Skating: 6/10
Orlov boasts some pretty great speed and acceleration when moving North-South. He generates a good amount of power from his legs in each stride, causing him to reach top speed faster than most of his peers. This is particularly useful off the rush, where he is a legitimate threat in transition and has gone coast-to-coast a handful of times. His edgework is worse than his speed and explosiveness, but I think it’s still a net positive to his game. Orlov has certainly put the work in there, as pre-draft, he was exposed in his respective league for his pivots and lack of lateral chops. Now, it’s no longer a detriment to his game, being able to keep up with attackers when rotating his body and using those edges to get around defenders in transition.
Hockey Sense: 4/10
In a cyclical setting, I like what Orlov brings to the table at times. He’ll jump into the play if he sees an opening, and is effective enough at doling the puck out in the zone to not be a complete liability on that end of things. You’ll notice I said “at times,” though, as he can struggle with consistency in this facet of the game. In other words, I like it when he jumps into the play and activates, I’d just like to see it more. In terms of breakouts from his own end, Orlov prefers the puck on his stick, and I’d like to see a bit of development regarding his first pass and which targets to identify on those passes.
Puck Skills: 4/10
I haven’t seen much from Orlov in terms of dekes and dangles, but his puck-handling abilities are fine enough for a defenseman, especially one with skating as strong as his. In transition, he relies more on his legs to get around defenders than his hands, but he has solid enough quickness with his stick to make a spur-of-the-moment side-to-side movement with the puck. He is able to do this in stride and at full speed, too, truly making him one of the more under-the-radar transition defenders in the Devils’ pipeline.
Shot: 5/10
Orlov possesses a hefty slap shot, which is particularly useful in one-time situations. When in conjunction with his generally strong wherewithal of when to jump into the play and sneak a bit closer to the net, this proves to be an asset, as illustrated below:
His wrist shot is decent, too, being able to get a quick shot off while in stride (as seen in the clip under the blurb about his skating).
I do want to see him use his shot a bit more, particularly when he’s stagnant on the blue line. The power he generates makes him a threat from the top of the zone, and, if anything, blasting a slapper into someone’s shins takes them out of the play for a moment. It sounds horrible, but I want to see more of that.
Defensive Awareness: 5.5/10
Orlov is no slouch in his own zone, either. He is particularly effective at exiting the zone with possession of the puck, which can be attributed to his skating ability more than anything else. Puck retrievals can be a bit of an issue for him at times, occasionally positioning himself poorly along the boards, but once he does gain possession of the puck, you can be sure that it will get out. Orlov also clears the crease pretty well for a defender his size and doesn’t shy away from netfront contact or puck blocking, either.
Physicality/Size: 6/10
As noted above, Orlov has no issue with physical contact, especially when it comes to defending a player who is sitting in front of the net. He engages well along the boards from a physical standpoint, relying more on laying the body than his stick in those situations. In open ice, he doesn’t use his body as much as you’d like to see, instead relying almost exclusively on his stick to force defenders to the outside rather than sealing them off physically. He’s strong, though, when he does play with an edge.
NHL Comparable: Adam Pelech
NHL Ceiling: 7th Defenseman
NHL Likelihood: 50/50
I really do like the steps forward that Orlov has taken since being drafted, and I’m happy to see that he has, in some regard, proven the haters wrong a bit. There are definitely tools that you’d like to see from a modern-day defenseman, particularly in his mobility, and that might earn him a spot on an NHL roster in a couple of seasons. I want him to succeed.
No. 22: Daniil Karpovich (LHD)
6th Round, 2023 (186th Overall) — 19 Games Played | 1 Goal | 3 Assists | 4 Total Points — Gornyak-UGMK (VHL)
Daniil Karpovich is an incredibly difficult prospect to get a gauge on — not because he hasn’t played, but because he took a one-year hiatus from the Russian pro leagues to play in the Belarusian league, a perplexing move that, in my opinion, certainly stymied his development. Karpovoch was one of my favorite picks from the 2023 draft, with production relative to his league and age being pretty astonishing, particularly for a sixth-round selection. He had/has legitimate tools in his arsenal (particularly a powerful, accurate shot), and the scouting team was correct in touting him as a prospect worth a flier on. As I said, though, the one-year stint in Belarus did not do him any wonders, and it saddens me to think about how many spots higher he’d be on this list if he spent that time developing in a better league.
Skating: 5/10
Karpovich is a bigger defenseman (6’3, 210), but moves particularly well for his size. He keeps up to pace with opposing attackers playing on the rush and skates backward extremely well. His edgework lacks a bit, which directly correlates to his general struggles closing gaps on forwards trying to dance around him, but he’s taken some small strides (pun intended) in that facet of his game over time. His straight-line speed and acceleration are solid, though, and he can shift direction well enough with the puck on his stick now to make a dent in transitional work on rare occasions.
Hockey Sense: 5/10
I think Karpovich has some underrated offensive IQ in his toolkit, too. I don’t think he’s necessarily going to stand out, but he largely does the little, subtle things right. This doesn’t necessarily result in him getting on the scoresheet, but he makes the small decisions with efficiency and pushes play forward in that regard. In the offensive zone, he will occasionally activate and join the cycle, as illustrated below:
Puck Skills: 2.5/10
Karpovich’s hands are relatively stone-like. He can, very rarely, transition into the zone with a couple of sneaky head fakes and left-right dekes, but that’s about it.
Shot: 6/10
If ever there were a prospect in the Devils’ system with a heavy shot, it’s Karpovich. He uses his back legs to generate loads of power into his slapshot, making it a legitimate threat from all areas of the offensive zone. He has some accuracy issues, as do most who boast a slapper with that much speed, but I assume that that can be fixed with some more reps. His wrister is just alright, though he can beat goalies with it when he’s given time and space, which is a rarity considering that he is a defenseman — that’s where his hockey sense comes in, as he can jump into the flow of play pretty well in order to generate that aforementioned time and space.
Defensive Awareness: 5/10
Karpovich positions himself well defensively, though I feel as though he lets plays develop around him at too high a clip for my liking. By that, I mean that he can appear unengaged at times, allowing his opponents to cycle around the perimeter of where he’s at without challenging them. This makes him look as though he is lazier than he is. What he does do is activate well below the goal line from a physical standpoint, preventing attacking forwards from making their way around the net without a fight.
Physicality/Size: 7/10
Karpovich is a very physical defenseman, crushing opposing forwards with hard shoulder checks, particularly when they are around the back of the net. He engages in fisticuffs more often than he probably wants to, simply because he delivers so many hard hits that can cause some retaliation.
NHL Comparable: Radko Gudas
NHL Ceiling: Third Pair Defenseman
NHL Likelihood: Unlikely
The question, in my opinion, won’t necessarily be “Can Karpovich handle NHL minutes?” but rather “Will Karpovich ever move overseas?”
I do think he’s going to have a skillset that would translate well to playing in a 6/7D capacity in a couple of years, once he irons things out a bit and puts them all together at the KHL level, but in my far-from-expert opinion, I’m not sure it’ll be enough to move the needle for the Devils to where they’re pining for him to come over.
No. 21: Xavier Parent (LW/C)
Undrafted — 49 Games Played | 12 Goals | 15 Assists | 27 Total Points — Utica Comets (AHL)
Xavier Parent wasn’t originally in my rankings simply because he doesn’t technically become a part of the Devils’ pipeline until next season. With that said, though, he’s been one of my favorite players to watch in Utica ever since I first watched him live at the 2022 Devils’ development camp.
Parent was one of the most productive players in the QMJHL before signing with the Comets, logging 51 goals and 106 total points in 65 games in the 2021-22 QMJHL regular season. The now-24-year-old has been one of Utica’s best forwards since, putting together a respectable 45-point campaign last season and ranking top-five on the team this campaign in points. He was rewarded for his efforts with a two-year deal with the Devils that starts next season.
Skating: 6.5/10
Parent is a relatively strong skater, which you would expect from a player listed at 5’8. His acceleration is explosive, but his top speed is average, meaning that he can initially create space against practically all defenders, but speedier ones can catch right back up. His edges are quite strong, though, so he is able to pivot and rotate around defenders at high speeds with the puck on his stick.
Hockey Sense: 5/10
Parent’s hockey sense is fine. He has decent enough vision to make plays happen, with the playmaking chops to follow suit. He can, at times, get tough passes through from difficult areas of the ice and can infrequently find high-IQ plays that others wouldn’t be able to. The consistency isn’t always there, but he has the raw chops to build on.
Parent is great at finding open space for his teammates to give him the puck, though. Once he gets the puck back off the forecheck and gives it to a teammate, he is always looking for open ice to capitalize on an opportunity.
Puck Skills: 4.5/10
For a player of his stature, his handles are admittedly a bit disappointing. Parent doesn’t have the lightning-fast hands I want to see, nor does he have a ton of moves to pull from. He settled into more of an energy role once he turned pro, but in going through his QMJHL highlights, I want to see him revert a bit more to the player who was able to outwork and outskill his opponents en route to 100+ points.
Shot: 6.5/10
What Parent does have, though, is a wonderful shot. His wrister is quick-triggered and deceptive, pulling the puck into his body to change the angle of his release when warranted. His one-timer is middling, but his snap shots and backhands are strong as well. He has good accuracy, and I’d honestly like to see him shoot a lot more.
Defensive Awareness: 3/10
As much as he wants to do well defensively, I’m always left with the feeling that he perhaps did too much. By that, I mean that smaller players always have a penchant for overdoing it and overinvolving themselves to the point that they get caught overcommitting, and Parent is no exception to that. I find that he gets a bit excited when pursuing the puck, gets drawn out of position, and allows the opposition to execute a pass into open ice. At times, this excitement can be a boon, turning an opposing possession into a chance the other way, but it burns him too often for that to cancel out the deficiencies.
Physicality/Size: 4/10
Despite his stature (5’8, 170), Parent engages himself physically whenever he can. He’s hard on the forecheck and involved in board battles in the defensive zone. His motor is incessant, and he is always — and I really mean always — jumping off the page in terms of the energy that he puts out there every shift. He’ll never go unnoticed for a stretch, and it has nothing to do with anything but his gritty, grindey, motory nature.
NHL Comparable: Logan Stankoven
NHL Ceiling: Bottom-Six Energy Winger
NHL Likelihood: 50/50
I’m a huge believer in what Parent brings to the table. If nothing else, players make the NHL for the energy they provide alone, and Parent is an exemplary prospect in that regard. Shift in and shift out, he is noticeable and relentless. I’m not sure if he’ll ever make it out of being a top-six player for Utica, but I’d really like the Devils to give him a shot at some point next season — he’s such a fun player to watch and I want to see just how much he can up his energy game if given the opportunity to play in the big leagues.
No. 20: Gustav Hillström (C)
4th Round, 2025 (114th Overall) — 18 Games Played | 1 Goal | 1 Assist | 2 Total Points — Brynäs IF (SHL)
One of the smartest picks at the 2025 NHL Draft was fourth-round selection Gustav Hillström, a player whom most outlets had ranked significantly higher than 114th overall. The youngster was promoted to Sweden’s highest level of hockey mid-way through the 2024-25 season, showing his maturity and ability to play with some of the best hockey players in the world.
Skating: 5.5/10
While Hillström’s top-end speed isn’t anything to write home about, he does possess both an exorbitantly strong motor and above-average acceleration. He reaches his top speed relatively quickly — or at least is able to burst to close to his top speed quickly — and uses that to leverage his opponents along the boards in forechecking opportunities. His legs are non-stop on both sides of the ice, forcing viewers and opponents alike to recognize his work ethic and motor.
While his edges are ungraceful, Hillström can still turn quickly, which, when combined with his explosiveness and general mentality of the game, makes him all the more potent in a forechecking setting.
Hockey Sense: 6/10
Hillström is a smart player with heady two-way instincts.
In the offensive zone, most of this comes by virtue of his forechecking capabilities. He knows how and when to attack players, generally planning an angle of attack best suited for each individual situation. The bulk of Hillström’s playmaking comes from this forechecking ability, with a successful or unsuccessful forecheck typically determining the success level of any given shift he is on the ice for. The good news, though, is that Hillström is mostly effective in that regard. His vision along the boards is strong, as is his wherewithal of everyone on the ice when in that position.
The only struggle I’ve noticed is some hesitation when there is applied pressure. When Hillström is on the forecheck, he knows what to expect and can handle those responsibilities well. When otherwise playing in the cycle, though, he can get overwhelmed when pressure is applied by backcheckers or if multiple defenders assume his position. He’s going to need to figure out how to handle that if he wants to make the big leagues, but it is important to note that he was, in fact, just 17-18 years old and playing against men much more confident and concrete in their abilities in the SHL.
Puck Skills: 3/10
I’ve never been impressed with Hillström’s hands. He has a generally limited collection of dekes, most of which are limited to simple lateral movements with the puck. That’s not what makes him an intriguing prospect, though, so this is of pretty much no concern to me.
Shot: 4/10
Hillström’s shooting abilities are a tale of two players. From a distance, he’s not very threatening, with low-end speed on his shots and a wind-up that allows goaltenders to get set before they’re hit with the puck.
In-tight, though, he’s a monster.
The shooting mechanics are largely the same from both distances, so what makes Hillström’s around-the-crease shooting dangerous is his off-puck movements. He’s a stellar rebound hound, knowing where to position himself and when in order to best generate a possible second whack at a puck. He has solid hand-eye coordination, making him a strong netfront presence on all fronts.
Hillström’s hockey sense comes into effect here, too, where he has a strong understanding of offensive positioning. This inherently makes him a more dangerous shooter, as he puts himself in a prime position more often than not.
Defensive Awareness: 6/10
If ever there were a projectable skill in Hillström’s kit, it’s his defensive aptitude. His off-puck, defensive-zone IQ is quite high, especially for a player of his age and playing in a professional league. Even among veteran SHLers, he stood out as one of the more confident defenders, stalwart in his positioning and aggressive in his puck pursuit.
At times, this aggression was the bane of his game, overcommitting to the puck carrier and getting himself out of position. This was easily exploited by highly skilled players, and even some lower-skilled, high-IQ players were able to take advantage of his aggression through heady passing plays or puck manipulations. Still, it remains true that his defensive IQ is a strong one, and something that will make him an appealing candidate for playing time in the future.
Physicality/Size: 5.5/10
Hillström still has a ways to fill out, at 6’2, 175 pounds, but he plays off of his frame quite well. His puck protection abilities are strong, as are his instincts when playing off the forecheck. Hillström’s physicality, at times, can be a bit incautious, particularly when coming in on what should be a backchecking opportunity — he has a penchant for needlessly telegraphing physical pressure in the defensive zone rather than angling his approach to the boards more strategically — but more polish in pro leagues should do him justice there. For now, his leaning into the physical side of the game to get the job done has been a fantastic choice, and one that could help him turn into a pro-leaguer.
NHL Comparable: Trent Frederic
NHL Ceiling: Bottom-six Forechecking Center
NHL Likelihood: 50/50
I loved the Hillström pick at the time of the draft, and I love it now. He’s a savvy player with strong forechecking abilities and a great motor — two things that very well could result in an NHL call-up down the line. At the very least, he’s going to be a good AHLer, and, in my mind, he has the chops to be an effective fourth-line center in due time.
No. 19: Topias Vilén (LHD)
5th Round, 2021 (129th Overall) — 47 Games Played | 1 Goal | 18 Assists | 19 Total Points — Utica Comets (AHL)
15th on the list and the third straight left-handed defenseman, some tout Topias Vilén as an already-NHL-ready defenseman, though I heartily disagree. He is a balanced player, to be sure, and will have an NHL career in all likelihood, but I encourage everyone on that train to take a step back. He’s still just 22 and needs a good bit more time to marinate.
Skating: 5/10
I don’t think his skating is particularly impressive, nor do I believe that it holds him back in any way at all. His top speed and acceleration are average, as is his ability to use his edges in transition to get around defenders. I do like the activity of his feet when roaming along the blue line, even if he doesn’t necessarily generate anything offensively from those movements.
Hockey Sense: 6/10
Vilén is a tale of two players when it comes to his hockey sense. On the one hand, he is always smartly positioned in both zones, particularly defensively, and has a small turnover rate because he executes high-probability plays at a high level. On the other hand, he’s too safe with the puck, and it will prevent him from reaching his ceiling more than anything else. Vilén is outright afraid to make risky plays with the puck, which, sure, will secure an extended possession but will also prevent his team from generating high-end chances. The one exception to that rule is his aptitude at making plays happen from along the boards, which is somewhat often, considering that he is an effective player at pinching when his team is on the cycle. He can also facilitate nifty passing plays when the stars align and he believes that it’s a surefire endeavor, like the sequence below — one in which he got the secondary assist:
Puck Skills: 3/10
As mentioned above in a different light, Vilén struggles with the puck on his stick, and deking is no exception to that rule for him. He rarely pulls out any sort of move to beat a defender or goalie one-on-one, relying mostly on head fakes and the occasional back-and-forth movement, but largely ignoring any sort of creativity.
Shot: 4/10
I want Vilén to shoot a hell of a lot more than he does — I actually like the mechanics of his wrister a good amount, and yet he is shooting at a fewer-than-once-per-game rate. His release is quick and somewhat deceptive, being able to change the angle to deceive goaltenders when applicable. His slapshot is pretty unremarkable, though, and not a threat to do any damage when there isn’t an open net he’s shooting at. I would also like to see him utilize screens more from the point with his wrist shot, because, as I said, I think that tool is pretty solid.
Defensive Awareness: 6.5/10
Vilén’s defensive abilities, though, have never been in question. He’s most often in the right spot at the right time to make the right play, positioning himself smartly to break up plays with an active stick or put his body in the way just enough to disturb a passing play or shot path. He clears the crease pretty well for a defender his size, too. When exiting the zone is when I think Vilén is at his best, though, as he has a strong first pass to breakout forwards and can take the puck past his own blue line himself at times when that is a warranted path to take.
Physicality/Size: 4.5/10
Vilén isn’t overly physical, but he doesn’t shy away from necessary contact, either. As noted above, he is active in clearing the crease, which requires some level of strength and physicality. He is also active enough in board battles and doesn't shy away from using his body to separate the puck carrier from the puck. He isn’t overwhelmingly big (6’1, 195), but has the strength of the stockier player he is. On occasion, Vilén will lay a meaningful hit in the corner that leaves his opponent on the ground for a few seconds, but that is a rarity, and he only pulls it out when he gauges that it’s the absolute best play to make.
NHL Comparable: Sean Walker
NHL Ceiling: Third Pair Defenseman
NHL Likelihood: Likely
Again, I do think he’ll have an NHL career; it might just take some more time. He’s upped his playing time in Utica, though the results haven’t quite been as good. For a player who fans would have you believe is a surefire NHLer, taking a step backward in the minor leagues isn’t a great start, and, while I understand that development is less than linear, it’s still a discouraging sign. He’s going to need a significant step forward for me to believe he’ll truly make it in a third-pair capacity, like many believe he will.
No. 18: Mason Moe (C)
3rd Round, 2025 (90th Overall) — 51 Games Played | 17 Goals | 26 Assists | 43 Total Points — Madison Capitols (USHL)
In many ways, Devils’ third-round pick Mason Moe profiles similarly to Hillström, in that he is a two-way, defensively-minded center with limited offensive upside. The floor is higher with Moe, though, hence his rating two spots above Hillström.
Skating: 5/10
Moe is an interesting case, with limited top-end speed and acceleration but strong edges and agility. Players like this aren’t necessarily rare — Devils fans are all too familiar with the type; cough cough Nikita Gusev — but it is extra intriguing considering his stockier frame. By looking at his build (6’1, 185 pounds), you’d expect a generally rigid player with strong legs to generate a good amount of power in a straight line, but the opposite is true. Moe’s wide stance as a skater limits his explosiveness, though it does aid in manipulating his body around defenders.
In order to make it at the NHL level, he’s going to need to improve his quickness.
Hockey Sense: 4.5/10
The bulk of Moe’s offensive IQ comes from a combination of his off-puck movements and crease-crashing abilities.
Without the puck on his stick, Moe presents as a smart, stable, complementary piece for playdriving linemates. He positions himself savvily in open space, being able to pounce on the prime passing opportunities his teammates dole out to him. He knows how to sneak between coverage, something unexpected out of a player with his playstyle and build.
Beyond that, Moe pounces on rebounds quite well, timing his movements with the play in order to best give himself a chance at banging one home. He’s also a plus on the forecheck, though it isn’t the calling card to his game. He knows how to attack the puck carrier, angling his flight path to best get the job done.
With the puck on his stick, oftentimes, Moe doesn’t really know what to do, and, instead of slowing the game down and thinking about possible outcomes of his actions, he will throw the puck away, either aimlessly shooting or sending it down low, where he forces his team into an unnecessary board battle. To me, this boils down to a lack of confidence in his abilities. I’d like to see him more deliberative in his actions with possession, though I know that’s not something that is easy to outgrow.
Puck Skills: 3/10
Much like Hillström, Moe has stone-like hands, though that won’t be important for the style of hockey he plays. He will never be able to dance around a defender in a 1-on-1 situation, but he does have some patience to outwait goaltenders when the opportunity arises. Again, though, this is an unimportant detail in Moe’s game.
Shot: 4.5/10
I’m a bit higher on Moe’s shooting abilities than most, and think that, if he can iron out some zippiness issues with his wrist shot, he can be a mid-distance threat at times. For now, it presents as a slight problem, especially when considering his role within the game.
As I mentioned in the section pertaining to his hockey sense, though, Moe is an expert around the crease. Beyond just his positioning, he is able to lift the puck from in-tight to create a scoring chance regardless of his proximity to the net. His hand-eye coordination results in consistently strong deflections and tip-in opportunities.
Defensive Awareness: 6/10
This is where Moe’s game is at its best, bar none.
The details and confidence he exhibits within his own zone are immaculate, with a strong understanding of defensive-zone positioning and an innate ability to generate turnovers through applied pressure. His active stick lends itself well to complementing that understanding of when and how to apply pressure, and, if he were a more explosive skater, would likely lead to individual breakaway chances on a game-by-game basis.
Moe, if he adds a bit of discipline to his game, will be the perfect defensive center. For now, he has a tendency to overcommit a tad, allowing high-IQ players to draw him in before making him and his team pay. A further understanding of when to back off will do him justice, especially once he leans more into being a physical presence in the defensive zone.
Physicality/Size: 5/10
While Moe’s 6’1, 185-pound frame would lend itself well to a physical playstyle, I would like to see more growth from the youngster in this facet of his game. He doesn’t shy away from playing physically, but he doesn’t go out of his way to engage his body. Adding that element to his game would up his forechecking aptitude and make him more of a threat in front of the crease, where he already shines the most.
NHL Comparable: Zemgus Girgensons
NHL Ceiling: Defense-First 4C
NHL Likelihood: 50/50
If I were a betting man, I would put money on Moe getting at least an NHL call-up in his career — the defensive details within his game are too strong not to warrant such a bet. With that said, there are still quite a few things within his game that need to be polished. His wrist shot needs to add some oomph, he must improve on his speed and explosiveness, and adding another layer of physicality is a necessity. Those three things taking the next step will ensure his NHL viability in due time.
No. 17: Angus Crookshank (LW/RW)
5th Round, 2018 (126th Overall) — 62 Games Played | 22 Goals | 18 Assists | 40 Total Points — Belleville Senators (AHL)
The Devils signed long-term Ottawa Senators prospect Angus Crookshank to a two-year deal not too long into 2025 NHL Free Agency. The now 25-year-old has enjoyed periodical call-ups to the big-leagues, but has largely played in the AHL since being drafted back in 2018. There, he has put up back-to-back-to-back 20-plus goal seasons in a full-time top-six role.
Skating: 5.5/10
Crookshank is a good skater, with high explosiveness and an above-average top speed. His edgework leaves a bit to be desired, and his mechanics aren’t graceful, but he does get to Mach-10 pretty quickly and can provide the periodical breakaway because of a heady play followed by that aforementioned burst ability.
Beyond that, I think Crookshank’s motor is a standout quality, and his stamina on skates is quite impressive.
Hockey Sense: 5/10
With the puck on his stick, there are occasional flashes of brilliance from an offensive point of view. Crookshank can find dangerous plays with clarity, given that he has time and space, and when pressured, can occasionally execute high-level give-and-gos to best exploit the defense.
Crookshank’s off-puck movements are his best attribute from a hockey sense perspective, as he is able to float into open space to complement playdriving linemates efficiently and effectively. He always seems to be in the right place at the right time for a rebound or on a chance to cap off a high-danger passing play. It’s an impressive quality, to be sure.
The issue with his hockey sense is consistency. While he does have consistently strong off-puck habits, he can be hit-or-miss with possession of the puck, and it’s never a sure-fire thing that he’ll make the right play or the patient play when pressure is applied in any capacity. To make the show, he’s going to need to learn how to breathe when defenders aggress.
Puck Skills: 4.5/10
In one-on-one situations, Crookshank is nothing to be scared of from a defensive standpoint. His dekes are somewhat limited, and he doesn’t pull them out very often.
For goaltenders, though, when he is in tight, he can be a nightmare to deal with. Crookshank has the ability to pull pucks back during crease-crashing, making him particularly dangerous from the netfront. His hand-eye coordination is strong, giving him another added element of danger from an around-the-net perspective.
Shot: 6.5/10
I’ve always had a tough time determining if Crookshank is a good shooter or a volume shooter, but I think the most accurate conclusion is that he’s a good bit of both.
Beyond just shooting from everywhere, all the time, his wrist shot has a good bit of deception, with subtly heady angle-changes present in nearly all of his shots. His one-timer is strong, too, being quick-triggered and not telegraphed. He drives through the puck with strong legs, aiming to not only hit the net, but also put the puck right through it.
Defensive Awareness: 4/10
I think Crookshank still has a way to develop from a defensive standpoint, especially if his goal is to become a mainstay in an NHL lineup at some point. The 25-year-old has his moments of positional reliability, but too often does he show his excitement and overcommit to the puck carrier along the boards, opening his team up for prime scoring opportunities against. More maturity is needed, for sure.
Physicality/Size: 5.5/10
For a not-super-big, scoring-oriented winger, Crookshank does possess a bit of a physical edge. He throws his body around on the forecheck and in the defensive zone — though he could honestly add a bit more of that to his game, considering the role he’d prospectively be in as a full-time NHLer — and uses it effectively in the neutral zone to seal off the opposition in board battles. On occasion, he can over-aggress, as is the case with many of the younger players in the professional leagues, but that is something that can be coached out of him.
NHL Comparable: Alex Laferriere
NHL Ceiling: Bottom-Six Scoring Winger
NHL Likelihood: 50/50
Crookshank has already logged some NHL games — he has compiled two goals and two assists across 21 big-league appearances — and it’s pretty likely that he continues to find the odd call-up when injuries call for it.
I’m not quite sure that happens within New Jersey’s system, though, barring a production explosion or freak series of injuries. For its lack of top-end forward talent, the Devils have many a name ahead of Crookshank in terms of injury call-ups, so it’s likely that he is on the outside looking in for playing time in this pipeline.
No. 16: Ethan Edwards (LHD)
4th Round, 2020 (120th Overall) — 36 Games Played | 5 Goals | 16 Assists | 21 Total Points — Univ. of Michigan (NCAA)
The Devils have now had three consecutive #1 defensemen from the University of Michigan — Luke Hughes, Seamus Casey, and now Ethan Edwards, who stepped into and thrived in a workhorse defenseman role this past season. Averaging roughly 24 minutes a night, he played in all situations and put up some eye-popping microstatistical numbers despite the scoresheet not necessarily matching.
He signed with the Utica Comets at the end of last season, and should be a mainstay in their lineup, if not an NHL injury-call up at some point in 2025-26.
Skating: 8/10
What immediately stands out about Edwards is his smooth skating ability and in particular, his edgework. His speed in a straight line is above average, and he possesses the strong acceleration one would expect from a 6’0 defenseman, as shown below.
The way he walks the blue line is simply amazing. His feet are uber-active, allowing him to change direction at will while roving the blue line with the puck on his stick, performing his best Quinn Hughes impression whenever he gets the chance. He’s shifty, controlled, and deliberate in his movements in those scenarios, and it’s a ton of fun to watch.
His edges allow him to play an extremely tight defensive game, going step-for-step with attacking forwards regardless of whether or not they change direction. His skating ability also directly translates to his aptitude in transition, being an asset to his team in both exiting and entering the zone with the puck on his stick.
Hockey Sense: 5/10
Edwards has an innate ability to draw coverage and create space for his teammates that way, which is undoubtedly impressive, but I’d like to see that translate a bit more to the scoresheet, and I feel as though his puck distribution once he does create that space can stand to improve a bit. I’m not saying it’s bad — far from it — but I have such high standards for the kid because of how smooth a skater he is and how excellent he is at creating space with the puck on his stick.
While he is best in transition with possession of the puck himself, he has good North-South vision and can find breakout forwards with a strong first pass as well. He has a good sense of when to rely on his own skillset in transition and when to utilize his teammates.
The moral of the story here is that, despite how consistently phenomenal he looks on the ice, the results aren’t necessarily always there, and he should be making more plays than he is. That’s probably coachable to some extent, too — you can tell he’s confident in his tools; he just needs to put it all together more consistently.
Puck Skills: 5/10
In combination with his exceptional skating, Edwards boasts decent enough hands to truly make him a transition threat and an apt manipulator while walking the blue line. His stickhandling isn’t incredible, but he has relatively quick hands and is able to stave off prodding sticks with a handful of moves that he has at his disposal.
Shot: 4/10
For someone who creates so many shooting lanes for himself, I do want Edwards to work on his shot a bit. I feel like there isn’t as much power or accuracy as there can be with his wrist or slap shot, and while the latter of the two can be trained with a ton of reps, I have a feeling that as he fills out a bit more, the power will get there naturally. As I noted, he generates a whole lot of shooting lanes for himself when walking the blue line by proxy of how strong his edges are, and I’d like to see that translate a bit more to getting screened shots through to the net. His wrist shot is better than most give him credit for, but he doesn’t use it enough (particularly when the net is screened) for people to put that on their radar.
Defensive Awareness: 6/10
His generally solid hockey sense bleeds over into his defensive game, too. Edwards is generally in the right position to break plays up and is one of the better small-framed defensemen I’ve seen when it comes to regaining possession of the puck in the defensive zone, either off the walls or behind the net. He is shockingly physical (more on that below) and is a pest to those carrying the puck. Edwards’s skating is so strong that he has no issue keeping up with forwards who are trying to dipsy-doodle their way out of his coverage and is able to defend the rush while skating backward and pivoting pretty well. He will occasionally get outmuscled, but that is to be expected from a defenseman of his stature.
Physicality/Size: 6.5/10
For his size (195ish pounds), Edwards is a physically engaged defenseman, certainly playing beyond his frame in that regard. He’s annoying to play against in board battles, and while some defensemen his size overcompensate in these endeavors to prove they can “handle it,” Edwards has a good gauge of when to use the body and when to use his stick instead, and even if he makes the wrong decision, has the skating ability to recover quickly. Regardless, he’s not one to shy away from delivering hits along the walls, in front of the net, and at the blue line to get the puck away from an attacking player.
NHL Comparable: Gustav Forsling
NHL Ceiling: 4/5 Defenseman
NHL Likelihood: Likely
I’m very high on Edwards’ game. It’s rare that defenders who are as good at skating as he is don’t make the show, particularly when there are other appealing tools to boot. He’s a hard worker with excellent raw abilities, and though it might take him a year or two to really put it all together at the pro level, I think there’s absolutely reason to believe he’ll be a full-time NHLer at some point, with the Devils or otherwise.
No. 15: Nico Daws (G)
3rd Round, 2020 (84th Overall ) — 28 Games Played | .893 SV% | 3.19 GAA | 8-18-2 | 1 SHO — Utica Comets (AHL)
Nico Daws had a bit of a rough go of it in Utica this past season, but I’m going to do him the favor of blaming that mostly on the beginning of the season, when the Comets largely couldn’t defend or score — or do anything at all, really. When Jacob Markstrom went down with an injury, Daws was offered the call-up and gave the Devils a short spell of unbelievable goaltending, making me eat my words in saying that Jake Allen should be handed a one-year deal after the season because New Jersey didn’t have any worthy backups for next season. I couldn’t be happier to be wrong, though, and although his counting stats with the Comets are still unimpressive from a season-long perspective, there is certainly reason to believe Daws is ready for a backup role in the NHL.
Athleticism: 5.5/10
It’s a bit tough to gauge Daws’ true athleticism because of how strong his positioning is in general (he doesn’t necessarily have to make as many desperation saves as one would expect).
He does have a strong glove hand and will occasionally windmill to show off his chops. He can also occasionally make plays like this:
Mobility: 5/10
Daws is a bigger goaltender, at 6’4, so his quickness and agility are naturally lacking. I do think he generates a good amount of power from his wide butterfly, which allows him to really dig his edges into the ice to push off side-to-side with efficiency. He has solid up-and-down mobility, though, closing his five-hole quickly and getting down into the butterfly position faster than many of his peers. He’s certainly improved in the lateral aspect of his game over the seasons, but quick behind-the-net passing plays or cross-crease chances still beat him with semi-regularity.
Positioning: 8/10
The biggest strength of Daws’ game is, without a doubt, his positioning. He has a strong read of the play and puts himself in the right position to make a timely stop more often than not. This makes it so that high-danger opportunities for other teams look less dangerous simply because Daws swallows up the chances with his chest rather than being forced into a dramatic-looking save because he was out of position to begin with. He scarcely gets drawn into an overcommitment, so he is almost never caught flailing to make a desperation save and is much more content being patient and letting his body do the majority of the work. Take a look at how little he moves during this sequence:
Puck Tracking: 7/10
Daws sees the puck well, particularly through screens. He is able to move his head without moving his body to get around players in front of him, tracking the puck from the point. Even though he can get beaten at times, when behind-the-net or side-to-side plays quickly develop, he generally hugs the posts well.
If he can see the shot, chances are that he’s going to save it.
NHL Comparable: Robin Lehner
NHL Ceiling: 1B
NHL Likelihood: Likely
Daws has already earned NHL time in his career, serving as the primary injury call-up in 2024-25 and starting 20+ games in both the 2021-22 and 2023-24 seasons. He was stellar in his five appearances this past season, playing to the tune of a .966 SV% and a +6.9 GSAx.
With Jake Allen getting re-signed, though, Daws is admittedly on the outside looking in for playing time. In all seriousness, he’s likely worth keeping within the system, but the goaltending logjam the Devils have will probably prevent him from doing so. If I were a betting man, I would assume he is on a different team within the next season.
No. 14: Jakub Málek (G)
4th Round, 2021 (100th Overall) — 33 Games Played | .910 SV% | 2.09 GAA | 15-11-6 | 4 SHO — Ilves (Liiga)
Before Mikhail Yegorov took the NCAA by storm, I went on record as saying Málek was the best goaltending prospect in the system. I’ve since rescinded that sentiment, but still believe he’s a solid second choice. He’s posted strong back-to-back campaigns in the top Finnish league (Liiga) and certainly looks the part of a future NHLer. His .910 SV% is a step down from last season’s .915, but that’s a direct result of his team, Ilves, turning into the top shot suppression team in the league. You can tell that that’s the case by his GAA, too, considering it’s down from 2.32 to 2.09.
Athleticism: 6/10
Bigger goaltenders often are harder to read from an athleticism standpoint because they (usually) are more reliant on their positioning than anything else, and Málek is no exception. Like Daws, Málek is 6’4, and he has the athleticism you’d expect from a goalie that size — occasional flashes of brilliance that don’t come that often because they don’t need to move all that much to make saves. He’s very athletic, don’t get me wrong, but I haven’t seen him with a need to make that many athletic saves.
Mobility: 6.5/10
For his size, Málek’s lateral movement is actually quite solid. He has a very wide butterfly, allowing him to push off from left to right or vice versa with a lot of power. He can get over relatively quickly and doesn’t get beaten as often as you usually see from bigger goalies on cross-crease passes that usually give them trouble. His vertical mobility is above average as well, getting into that wide butterfly quickly to seal off five-hole opportunities.
Positioning: 7/10
Málek has solid positioning in the net, with the understanding that he can let his body do the majority of the work. He’s particularly strong against breakaways, not biting on fakes and dekes, and letting the forward come to him instead. If there are breakaways, penalty shots, or shootout attempts, this inherently gives Málek the advantage over the shooter.
Puck Tracking: 7/10
As you’d expect from a strong goalie prospect, Málek tracks the puck well. He mostly fights through screens, anticipates play, and seldom gets beaten on pucks he can see.
NHL Comparable: Darcy Kuemper
NHL Ceiling: 1B
NHL Likelihood: Likely
Málek already has a two-way contract with the Devils, so I assume he will transition to Utica next season and then vie for a more permanent role with the team from there. He certainly has the chops and has already proven to be a top goaltender in a tough Liiga league. His career path is closely following that of Lukáš Dostál, and while I’m not saying they’re going to be the same caliber of goaltender, the writing is on the wall for Málek to make a legitimate run to the NHL. He’s been an under-the-radar prospect for far too long and deserves more attention to his name.
No. 13: Cam Squires (RW)
4th Round, 2023 (122nd Overall) — 58 Games Played | 24 Goals | 51 Assists | 75 Total Points — Cape Breton Eagles (QMJHL)
Cam Squires was a solid pick at the time and has quietly blossomed into a could-be steal at 122nd overall. He’s built a solid QMJHL career for himself, playing well beyond a point-per-game level this past season and gradually increasing his production year-over-year, as he should, considering his age. Still, he’s bloomed into a could-be NHLer who can (and hopefully will) provide an offensive boost.
Skating: 3.5/10
Squires’ skating is pretty rough. His speed and acceleration are relatively atrocious, and though his edges are decent enough, he is largely unable to do much in transition as a result. If/when he makes it to the show, it’ll be as a passenger player who makes his money being the second man in a rush play simply because his feet can’t do the legwork (pun intended) in transition to get around defenders or make things happen without getting caught up to. He should be able to generate a bit more power with his lower body and increase his speed and acceleration when he bulks up from his lanky 176-pound body.
Hockey Sense: 7/10
Squires is an incredibly savvy hockey player. He knows where to be and when, and will never be caught in a bad position in the offensive zone. His understanding of space and time is probably the second-best in the Devils’ prospect pool (next to someone whom we have not yet gotten to), and he boasts a sort of Tyler Toffoli, Jason Robertson-esque ability to sneak into open space unnoticed while being in a prime position for a pass. His vision is solid, too, being able to spot plays ahead of time and execute unexpected passing plays out of thin air. Squires is better with the puck on his stick as opposed to playing off-puck, but that doesn’t mean that he struggles when without possession. While his skating stymies his playdriving abilities off the rush, his facilitation in the offensive zone and intelligence can make him effective at driving the play off the cycle.
Puck Skills: 6/10
While it isn’t his calling card, Squires has solid enough hands to make it work at the NHL level. Particularly from down low and along the boards, he has a moderately wide array of dangles that he can choose from to lose tight coverage.
Oh, and he can do this:
Shot: 5.5/10
I actually like Squires’ shot more than the average scout. His release is zippy and deceptive, and his playmaking chops are strong enough that goalies are caught in a sort of indecision on whether he’s going to opt for a shot or pass, which makes his shot all the more threatening in odd-man situations.
Defensive Awareness: 5/10
Squires’ defensive game is better than he gets credit for. His positioning and smarts in the defensive zone are almost as impressive as his smarts in the offensive zone, and he anticipates plays well on both sides of the ice — on defense, that looks like breaking up passes, getting in lanes to disturb play, etc. He has an active stick and, though he isn’t necessarily physically engaged along the walls, positions himself to take advantage of turnovers should they arise. He’s much better in zone exits than zone entries, which is a direct result of his skating ability and intelligence in realizing that he probably shouldn’t be the skater to cross the offensive blue line while understanding that the puck needs to exit the defensive zone.
Physicality/Size: 3.5/10
Squires isn’t overly big (6’1, 176) and doesn’t play big, either. He takes a more tactical approach to things in tight spaces, preferring to use his stick and positioning over using his body to get the puck back, especially in situations along the boards. He doesn’t throw many hits, but he has a good motor and work ethic and physicality might be added as he fills out a bit more.
NHL Comparable: Jason Robertson (Kind of)
By (kind of), I mean that Squires has a similar profile to Jason Robertson (poor skating, high IQ), but prefers to be on more of the playmaking side of things instead of being a sharpshooter. Of course, he almost certainly will not turn into Robertson — it’s just a stylistic comparison.
NHL Ceiling: Third Line Playmaking Winger
NHL Likelihood: Somewhat Likely
There’s a lot to like about Squires’ game, and players who can’t skate well can get far with smarts and other tools (Robertson, Toffoli, D. Strome). I think he has a legitimate path to the league. He’s already garnered a two-way contract with the Devils, so I would anticipate him making a full-time commitment to Utica as soon as next season. I’m intrigued to see how he acclimates to pro-level hockey.
No. 12: Shane Lachance (LW)
6th Round, 2021 (186th Overall) — 36 Games Played | 11 Goals | 17 Assists | 28 Total Points — Boston University (NCAA)
One of my favorite moves from the Devils’ 2025 trade deadline was acquiring 22-year-old Shane Lachance from the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for taking on 25% of Trent Frederic’s contract in a three-team deal with the Bruins. Getting a near-surefire NHLer who could be a long-term contributor on a fourth line for one season of $575,000 is legitimately tidy work by GM Tom Fitzgerald, even if the rest of the deadline was disappointing.
Before I jump into his skill set, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention Lachance’s character. He’s a locker-room glue guy, being a natural and charismatic leader. Every one of his teammates likes him, and he’s a pioneer of culture for his teams. He’s been made captain everywhere he goes. He’s a great, great kid.
Skating: 3/10
Lachance’s skating, however, is not so great. This is to be expected from a 6’5, 218-pound winger, though. His center of gravity is naturally higher than his competition's, and his upright skating stride doesn’t do him any favors, either. This directly results in a general lack of power generated in his legs, regardless of how strong he is. He accelerates poorly as a result, and his top speed is nothing to write home about, either. His edgework is similarly lacking, with the mobility one would expect from a player of his size. He is strong on his skates, though — his balance is unparalleled, and he is rarely knocked over — with a wide stance once he parks himself that is seldom broken.
Hockey Sense: 4.5/10
Lachance isn’t the playmaking type, but that doesn’t mean his hockey sense is lacking. He has a good feel for where to position himself in the zone, particularly when it comes to parking himself in front of the net. After retrieving a puck from a board battle, he has decent full-zone vision and can make plays happen that some others cannot.
Puck Skills: 6/10
For a big man, Lachance has excellent hands, particularly from in-tight. He can make moves in tight spaces and often makes netfront defenders look lazier than they are because he can move around them without moving his body.
Shot: 5/10
Lachance’s wrister is just about average, with a quick enough release when it matters. I have scarcely seen him with a need to drop a one-time shot, so I don’t have much to say about that either.
What he does have, though, is excellent hand-eye coordination. Lachance’s ability to tip and redirect pucks is superb, making something out of nothing on would-be wildly wide chances, Joe Pavelski style.
Defensive Awareness: 8/10
Lachance is an extremely responsible defender. When he’s on the ice, the opposition largely struggles to generate much of anything, and a lot of that has to do with his positioning in the zone and ability to pressure attackers without expending a whole lot of energy just because of how long his stick is. He gets in passing and shooting lanes well, with a high defensive IQ that allows him to read the flow of play well and get himself in position accordingly. His poke checks are usually effective and, at the very least, push the attacker to the perimeter. Very rarely does Lachance allow someone to get to the middle of the ice.
Physicality/Size: 8/10
As you would expect from a 6’5, 220-pound winger who excels at the netfront, Lachance is extremely physical. He’ll rarely lose a board battle he’s involved in, relying on his size and strength there rather than his stick and positioning. He makes contact whenever he can with the puck on his stick, throwing reverse checks, using power moves, and pushing off his opponents well en route to generating chances for himself. Once he establishes himself in front of the net, it’s nigh-impossible to move him.
He’s also just an extremely hard worker on the ice, in both zones. Lachance never gives up on a play, and even if he somehow gets pushed off of the netfront, he has the grit and grind mentality to keep the play going:
NHL Comparable: Nathan Bastian
NHL Ceiling: Fourth Liner, PP2 Specialist
NHL Likelihood: Very Likely
Lachance is just a sophomore in the NCAA but has a pro-level mentality and, in my opinion, will take Bastian’s spot eventually. His locker room presence, work ethic, defense-first mentality, physical nature, NHL size, and hand-eye coordination will bring him into the big leagues at some point. If I were a betting man, I’d assume he spends at least one more year in college but eventually jumps ship to Utica (or the NHL, depending on how big a step he takes). I ranked him so highly on this list simply because I think he’s a near-sure shot to make the NHL, even if his ceiling is more limited than some of those behind him.
No. 11: Calen Addison (RHD)
2nd Round, 2018 (53rd Overall) — 62 Games Played | 5 Goals | 31 Assists | 36Total Points — Springfield Thunderbirds (AHL)
The other prospect added to the Devils’ pipeline through free agency — joining Angus Crookshank — was defenseman Calen Addison. The former Minnesota Wild and San Jose Sharks blueliner has played plenty in the NHL, though concerns about his defensive game have kept him out of play since the 2023-24 season. Still, he provides the Devils with plenty of offensive upside, and was a heady signing by New Jersey’s front office.
Skating: 7/10
Addison is a particularly smooth skater, particularly when operating along the blueline with possession of the puck. He roves effortlessly, baiting pressure from attacking forwards before dipsy-doodling around them with pristine edges and subtle head fakes and manipulations with the puck.
From a tracked data perspective, Addison placed well in skating metrics in his last full season in the NHL. In the 72 games he logged in 2023-24, he placed in the 79th percentile for top speed among defensemen and in the 89th percentile for speed bursts of 20+ mph, totaling 70 in those 72 games (as compared to the league average for defensemen of 30.3). This completely tracks with the eye test, which labels Addison as a stand-out skater relative to his peers. He also skates backward particularly well, keeping pace with attacking forwards throughout the neutral zone.
Hockey Sense: 7.5/10
Beyond anything else — including his top-notch skating — what stands out about Addison’s game are his offensive instincts.
Manipulations are a staple within his game, as noted briefly above, with an inherent ability to pull coverage to him before burning them with intelligently-timed head fakes, dekes, cutbacks, no-look passes, and fake shots and passes. The no-look passes are the true highlight there, with a fair collection of them in his highlight reel already:
Addison’s effectiveness is most prevalent on the man advantage, with a strong ability to slow down the game and really identify the smartest, most dangerous play to make at any given time. This still stands out at even strength, but this skill is exacerbated even more when he has a tad bit of additional time and space to really think things out. For a brief stint during the 2022-23 season, the Minnesota Wild were using Addison as their first power-play quarterback, and this ingrained ability to find the right play was the primary reason why.
Puck Skills: 6/10
As I previously mentioned, Addison is an expert at maneuvering the blue line, and though a lot of that has to do with his smooth edges and skating abilities, a lot of it does stem from his puckhandling abilities as well. He can pull from a surprisingly wide set of moves when pressure is applied, dancing around defending players with ease, with the odd spin-o-rama, toe drag, between-the-legs move, or simple, lateral dangles. It’s a staple in his game, and has been for quite some time.
Shot: 4.5/10
Though he hasn’t put up gaudy goal totals in his career, I do like Addison’s shot in a vacuum. By that, I mean that while his mechanics themselves are a bit rough around the edges — he doesn’t have a particularly deceptive release, nor a powerful slap shot — he knows when to shoot. A ton of his assists throughout his tenure as a professional hockey player have come by virtue of his wherewithal of situational shooting, putting the puck on net with accuracy through screens and with timing that throws goaltenders off their movements and rhythms.
Addison provides ample opportunity for the forwards he’s playing with to put tipped pucks on net and knows how to shoot for a rebound, with the occasional chip-in himself from a well-timed shot through a screen.
Defensive Awareness: 2/10
Defensively, there is quite a bit to be desired from Addison. Too often, he’ll pinch over-aggressively in the name of maybe making a play that will benefit the offense, to the point that his defensive deficiencies have largely been the reason for his lack of NHL time. In the defensive zone, he overcommits to his man quite a bit and leaves his partner in a temporary high-danger odd-man opportunity far more often than a pro hockey player should.
Physicality/Size: 4/10
Though he isn’t a huge defender — Addison is 5’11 and 175 pounds — he can play with a physical edge at times. I vividly remember one game during his tenure with the San Jose Sharks where he pinned Connor Bedard down to the ice after delivering an (illegal) cross-check to his back in order to keep him out of the play. Addison has a few fighting majors to his name in the AHL, logging four in the past five seasons. He doesn’t play particularly physically, but he certainly can hold his own if the timing calls for it.
NHL Comparable: John Klingberg
NHL Ceiling: Third-Pair, PP2 Quarterback
NHL Likelihood: Likely
Addison already logged two full seasons in the NHL in both 2022-23 and 2023-24, where he sported a grand total of 46 points in 134 games. Before that, he had the occasional call-up, and he hasn’t appeared in an NHL game since. The bulk of the reasoning there boils down to what he is (in)capable of on the defensive side of things, as I don’t really think anyone doubts what he can do offensively or in a ridiculously sheltered role. Addison’s offensive instincts are incredible, as are his abilities to walk the blue line and quarterback a power play. With slight defensive improvement, there’s no reason he can’t be a regular in an NHL lineup, though I’m not sure it happens in a stacked Devils’ blue line pipeline. In all likelihood, he’s a full-time AHLer in 2025-26 for the Utica Comets, barring a trade (or two) or more injuries.
No. 10: Matyas Melovský (C/LW/RW)
6th Round, 2024 (171st Overall) - 57 Games Played | 26 Goals | 57 Assists | 83 Total Points - Baie-Comeau Drakkar (QMJHL)
With the last pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, the Devils smartly drafted double-overager Matyas Melovský out of the QMJHL. At the time of the draft, he was considered a good bet in the later rounds despite his nature as an older prospect — something teams generally steer clear of. Since then, though, Melovský has proved worthy of the selection and genuinely looks like a could-be steal. He ended the QMJHL season eighth in the league in scoring and had multiple five-plus point nights, which really showed off his skillset and stature as the Devils’ top center prospect.
Skating: 5/10
While his skating is better than average for the QMJHL, I wouldn’t say that Melovský is a burner. He’s speedy enough to get around larger defensemen, though, and has solid acceleration that allows him to get to top speed quicker than the average player. His edges are average as well, but he does use them particularly well when executing power moves in close proximity to the goaltender, driving his feet into the ice to move laterally quite quickly:
Hockey Sense: 6.5/10
Melovský has great vision in the offensive zone, both with and without the puck on his stick. He is able to identify high-danger passing targets and get zippy passes through the defenders’ legs, in tight coverage, from along the boards, etc. The sequence below is an example of that:
Melovský has a solid understanding of time and space and uses that to his advantage when he doesn’t have the puck on his stick. He regularly puts himself in a position to take a pass in open space before almost immediately doling it to someone else because he is steps ahead of his competition in pertinence to understanding plays. He is an adaptable forward, too, being able to mold his game to who he’s playing with without sacrificing his ability to move the play up-ice and keep it there.
Puck Skills: 5.5/10
While I wouldn’t say they jump out at you, Melovský’s hands are solid enough to make it work in professional leagues. He has decently quick side-to-side movements, which allow him to outwait goaltenders around the net. He can occasionally beat defenders one-on-one in transition with a small but effective collection of dekes. Melovský isn’t overwhelmingly creative, but he can make plays happen every now and then by drawing defenders out of position with his hands.
Shot: 5.5/10
More than anything, I want to see Melovský shoot the puck more because I think there’s more to his game than just the raw playmaking chops he’s shown in the Q. To be fair, he was also playing alongside Justin Poirier, one of the QMJHL’s top snipers, so it’s entirely possible (if not probable) that Melovský molded his game to that — yet another testament to his brain.
The point stands, though, that he should probably shoot more. I think his wrist shot is underratedly strong, particularly while he is in stride. His release is deceptive, and he’s quick-triggered, being able to catch goalies off-guard more often than you’d expect. I haven’t seen much of his one-timer, but his snap shots and backhands are average at worst, too.
Defensive Awareness: 6.5/10
Melovský played in all situations for Baie-Comeau, regularly playing for 24 minutes a night as a forward. He was trusted on the top penalty killing unit and in must-win defensive starts and played admirably in that role. His defensive positioning is strong, regularly putting himself in the way of passing and shooting lanes and forcing play to the outside. His poke-checking is noticeably good, and he’s occasionally able to generate breakaway opportunities for himself because of his quick-thinking, opportunistic nature.
He was also one of the QMJHL’s top faceoff men, winning nearly 60% of the draws he took in 2024-25.
Physicality/Size: 5.5/10
Melovský thrives in play creation after taking the body, using his strength and power moves to generate space for his teammates. He absorbs checks along the boards without losing possession of the puck, drawing multiple defenders to his position and getting the puck to his teammates anyway. He isn’t particularly aggressive in forechecking, nor will he throw open ice hits, but he is strong enough to be an asset along the walls and while making power moves around defenders.
NHL Comparable: Casey Mittelstadt
NHL Ceiling: Physical, Playdriving Third Line Center
NHL Likelihood: Somewhat Likely
Melovský has made it known that, as he is ineligible to return to the CHL by proxy of his age, he will be transitioning to the AHL with the Utica Comets next season. There, he should immediately slot in as a top-six center and make his name known to those in the fanbase who aren’t already aware of him. From there, I see him making a legitimate impact with what should be a stronger, younger AHL group than there was this past season. Melovský has no real weaknesses, and in my head, I see him as the Devils’ 4C of the future — and one who will see time centering the third line when injuries call for it.
No. 9: Thomas Bordeleau (C)
2nd Round, 2020 (38th Overall) - 59 Games Played | 14 Goals | 24 Assists | 38 Total Points - San Jose Barracuda (AHL)
Quietly, one of my favorite moves of the 2025 off-season was the acquisition of Thomas Bordeleau from the San Jose Sharks. GM Tom Fitzgerald sent forward Shane Bowers back to the Sharks, a deal I make 11 out of 10 times.
Instead of the career AHLer with limited NHL call-up upside, the Devils now have a 23-year-old with legitimate NHL aspirations and who fits the bill of a could-be highly-skilled, bottom-six piece to add some offensive juice to the lineup.
Skating: 5/10
Bordeleau is an okay skater, though he does lack a game-breaking top speed. This allows defenders to keep coverage with him and doesn’t really allow him to create long-term separation.
He is able to generate short-term separation, as he is an explosive skater. He reaches his below-average top speed faster than most and is able to play at that top speed all the time (even if it is limited).
Hockey Sense: 7/10
One of Bordeleau’s best qualities is his standout hockey IQ, which allows him to comfortably produce high-danger opportunities at a higher clip than his peers.
In particular, I’ve always been impressed by his ability to identify cross-ice, royal-road pass opportunities. Bordeleau seems to have eyes not just in the back of his head, but on the sides, too, shooting tape-to-tape dishes across the ice, through and over traffic, with great success. This makes him particularly useful as a perimeter threat and on the power play.
With the puck on his stick, the game simply seems to slow down. Bordeleau manipulates the defense extremely effectively, playing along the boards well and identifying the best pass target exorbitantly efficiently.
Off the puck, while he isn’t quite as effective as when he has possession of it, he does find himself in prime position for his playstyle more often than not. Bordeleau will occasionally float into open space for a shot opportunity, but oftentimes he will put himself in a prime position for a passing play. He’s several steps ahead of his opponents (and sometimes teammates) at all times, and can make things work on the fly as well.
Puck Skills: 7.5/10
Bordeleau has hands on hands on hands. While the sheer number of different moves he has in his toolkit is a boon in and of itself, his ability to execute them at full speed and while under pressure is astounding. He corrals difficult passes smoothly and can seamlessly blend that pass-suction ability into a high-difficulty move to get around a defender in tight space.
He’s also able to draw in and manipulate defenders — multiple at once — to generate space for himself and his teammates. I’ve noticed that, because of this, he is an effective transition player despite his generally low-end speed through the neutral zone. Bordeleau’s hands are simply too good not to make it work in transition.
Shot: 6/10
I’m certainly a fan of Bordeleau’s shot. His wrister is concise and manipulative, especially when joined with his sublime toe-dragging abilities, and he is able to locate his shots well. His release is zippy, and he changes the angle with every shot he takes.
His one-timer is alright, though I think he’s best served as a wrist shot-oriented, playmaking center/winger who can best contribute with his own shots through keeping the threat of the pass active.
Defensive Awareness: 2/10
Bordeleau’s weakness has always been his defensive game. He’s somewhat irresponsible, caring far more for offensive outputs and effort on the scoring side of things than what he does in the defensive zone. It’s likely why he hasn’t become a mainstay in an NHL lineup just yet, because the offensive skills are clearly there.
Physicality/Size: 3/10
Though Bordeleau can play with a physical edge, he, like many of the smaller players in the league, plays the game a bit differently. Rather than contributing to the forecheck with his body, Bordeleau prefers to think about it more cerebrally, focusing on savvy pathing with his skates and stickwork to repossess the puck off of a dump-in. To me, this should be the expectation for a 5’9.5, 175-pound forward with tantalizing offensive instincts. If he were to throw on a few more pounds, I certainly wouldn’t complain, but the way that he plays the game should be adopted more by players of his frame (and is what makes the likes of Jack Hughes so effective at puck recoveries, though I’m certainly not equating the two from a success-rate or talent perspective).
NHL Comparable: Max Domi
NHL Ceiling: Offensively-Oriented 3C
NHL Likelihood: Likely
Bordeleau has already played in 44 NHL games, with 18 points to his name in that time. With San Jose, he played middle-six minutes in 2023-24 before heading back down to the AHL because of concerns about his defensive game. If/when he irons that out, though, it’s hard for me to imagine a world in which he isn’t a permanent NHLer. It’s arguably extremely disappointing he hasn’t turned into one already, and if we’re basing the NHL lines on talent, he would be my choice for starting fourth-line center, with Cody Glass operating as the team’s 3C for the time being and Dawson Mercer on the wing.
No. 8: Ben Kevan (RW)
2nd Round, 2025 (63rd Overall) - 51 Games Played | 13 Goals | 30 Assists | 43 Total Points - Des Moines Buccaneers (USHL)
The Devils’ second pick of the 2025 NHL Draft was their best, selecting speedster Ben Kevan with the 63rd overall pick. Though his production in the USHL was relatively pedestrian, he provides legitimate highlight-reel upside on a shift-to-shift basis and could be the complementary, rush-oriented piece the Devils have been aching for in their lineup for quite some time.
Skating: 8.5/10
Kevan was a top-three skater in the draft class, in my opinion, joining speedsters Cameron Schmidt and Cullen Potter. While Kevan might not have the edgework of those two, he certainly has the speed (and then some).
In many ways, Kevan’s skating profile is similar to that of Miles Wood, though he doesn’t have the complete ineptitude at stopping or edgework that the latter had. Kevan’s straight-line speed and acceleration are better than the vast majority of NHLers already, though, and with more weight and strength added to his lower body, this will become only more of a strength in the coming years. This made him arguably the biggest rush threat in the entire draft.
As I said, I don’t think his edges are as impressive as his straight-line abilities, but that doesn’t mean I think they’re bad by any means. In fact, he still profiles as above-average in that regard — it’s just that the other aspect of his skating is so impressive that his lateral movement pales in comparison.
Hockey Sense: 5.5/10
While operating off the rush, Kevan is sensational. He knows how to manipulate the goalie and defender/s in odd-man situations, having the wherewithal to know when and how to pass, assuming it’s the right call to make. He also knows how to be the second or third man in a rush play, putting himself in position to take a shot or collect a rebound.
Issues arise when in a cyclical, non-power-play setting. With applied pressure, Kevan can panic with the puck on his stick and throw it away aimlessly. Considering that he has the upper-echelon skating ability he does, I think this is less of a concern in the long-term than it is on the surface. He has the tools to succeed in a well-rounded game, with unbelievable legs and puck skills to go along with them; he just needs to find his game a little bit outside of the rush. Occasionally, this shines through, but the bright spots are largely flashes in the pan for someone who should be a more consistent threat, considering his intelligence and raw tools.
Puck Skills: 6/10
Kevan’s puckhandling abilities with the puck already on his stick are marvelous. He is able to execute high-difficulty dekes at his top speed, which is all the more impressive.
The main detractor here is how he receives pucks. I have noticed that he can struggle at times to corral a difficultly-placed pass or one that is perhaps too hot to handle. Softening his hand when he doesn’t have the puck on his stick will go a long way in making him all the more threatening from an offensive perspective, even if his work with the puck in his possession is magical.
Shot: 5/10
I think Kevan’s shot is alright, though I think the bulk of the damage he does as a goalscorer is a product of his speed and puckhandling, as they inherently lead to more odd-man and breakaway opportunities, which are basically a 50/50 crapshoot to lead to a goal anyway.
Still, I think he can add an element of danger to his game with some more ironed-out mechanics. Kevan can certainly work on his one-timer, which would prove to be an asset both off the rush, where he prefers to operate, and in the cycle, which would add an element of balance to his offensive game. His wrister could use a slight injection of power as well.
Defensive Awareness: 3.5/10
Kevan has growth to do on the defensive side of things, though things improved over the course of the 2024-25 season in that regard. At the beginning of the year, I noticed a sole focus on offense, while he transitioned into a pickpocket who could turn defensive turnovers into offense every game.
Physicality/Size: 3.5/10
Kevan isn’t a particularly large or physical player, though he can use his body to seal off opposing players in the right scenarios. He forechecks hard and isn’t afraid to use his body to make the job easier, but I get the sense that he prefers to forecheck with an emphasis on skating, pathing, and IQ rather than bulldozing, and he seems to be more effective in doing that.
NHL Comparable: Owen Tippett
These two players have similar offensive qualities, though Tippett is far more physical than Kevan will ever be.
NHL Ceiling: Middle-Six Complementary Winger
NHL Likelihood: Likely
I think there’s quite a good chance that Kevan will eventually be a full-time NHLer. There are some legitimate concerns about his defensive game and lack of physicality, but those are two things that will be ironed out in time and will come with more confidence and size. His offensive skillset is just too tantalizing for him not to work out — players who can skate as well as he can almost always make it to the show. I wouldn't anticipate him cracking an NHL lineup for at least another two years, though.
No. 7: Conrad Fondrk (C)
2nd Round, 2025 (50th Overall) — 40 Games Played | 13 Goals | 14 Assists | 27 Total Points — NTDP
Conrad Fondrk, whom the Devils selected with their 50th overall pick, was one of the first names I wrote about as a potential target for New Jersey with their first second-round pick of the 2025 NHL Draft. With Fondrk, the Devils acquired a dual-threat center who should be able to play reliable hockey in a middle-six capacity down the line. I think highly of the youngster, and he is a product of my favorite development route, the US National Team Development Program (NTDP).
Skating: 6/10
Fondrk is a strong skater, with a heavy emphasis on acceleration. He reaches his above-average speed quickly, being able to create separation at the drop of a hat when starting a play with the puck on his stick. Perhaps there’s another gear to get to eventually, but Fondrk still stands out as a strong skater amongst his peers.
Agility-wise, Fondrk is also above-average, with a strong understanding of how to use both anchors and soft drags to manipulate the defense through speed changes. I do think he can add an element of dynamism in this part of his skating, though, with improvements to his direction-changing quickness.
Hockey Sense: 5.5/10
Fondrk is a strong enough playmaker for me to consider him a dual-threat forward, though the shot (which I’ll get into a bit later) is a bit more appealing to me.
Still, he stands out as someone who can slow the game down on occasion and provide his team with unorthodox playmaking that keeps the defense on their toes when he has possession of the puck. Fondrk knows when to pass after drawing in coverage, and those passes are almost all NHL-caliber, zippy, and tape-to-tape. Consistency would be the perfect add-on here.
Puck Skills: 6.5/10
I’ve previously been critical of Fondrk’s puck skills, citing his game as relatively simple and uncreative, but upon further reflection — and more film-watching — I’ve come around quite a lot and believe there’s much more in the tank for him.
As Scott Wheeler of The Athletic noted, Fondrk’s stickhandling abilities and pure skill likely fell under the radar leading up to the draft because of the limited playing time he experienced by virtue of his injury. In reality, he has excellent hands and one-on-one skills, which he uses to exploit the defense and bait them in before punishing them with his high hockey IQ.
Fondrk has a surprisingly large body of moves to pull from, and he effortlessly strings those together and blends them with his smooth-skating abilities. With more time, I feel as though more attention will be brought to the amount of skill Fondrk possesses within his game, rather than simply focusing on his well-rounded nature as a forward.
Shot: 6/10
I quite like Fondrk’s shot, and am a believer that he can score 15-20 goals in the NHL someday on a consistent basis.
Both his wrist shots and one-timers are dangerous, with the former of the two being particularly strong. He has a rapid-fire, deceptive release that can beat goaltenders from a distance, especially when he’s feeling himself and his accuracy is on point. He’s no stranger to picking a target and shooting it exactly where he needs it to go, even when pressure is applied from the defense.
Fondrk’s one-timer is tidy, clean, and accurate. He could stand to put a bit more power into this type of shot, but the mechanics are largely there already. That’s certainly me nitpicking, though, as the compact nature of his 1T is threatening and will give him a good few goals in a power-play setting.
Defensive Awareness: 5/10
At times, Fondrk can be caught puck-watching, though he overarchingly plays a relatively sturdy game in his own zone. I think he has a decent understanding of d-zone positioning and doesn’t overcommit too much — if anything, he plays a bit too passively. With time, he should become a true two-way threat, as his stick-work and ability to generate turnovers is above-average already, in my opinion, relative to others his age.
Physicality/Size: 4.5/10
Throughout Fondrk’s 2024-25 season, there was a gradual improvement with how he used his stocky, 6’0, 205-pound frame to generate opportunities for his team and stymy them for the opposition. At the beginning of the year, he avoided physical contact as much as he could, though he gradually learned how to truly lean into it over the course of the season. By the time he got injured, Fondrk was one of the more active NTDP players in terms of leveraging his body to recover the puck during board battles and using his physical edge to separate himself from coverage. At higher levels, he’s going to need to continue that trajectory.
NHL Comparable: Pius Suter
NHL Ceiling: Middle-Six Center
NHL Likelihood: Likely
While I typically shy away from labeling brand-new draftees beyond the first round as surefire future-NHLers, I am fairly confident in projecting Fondrk as a future third-liner-at-worst. His toolkit, one based on well-rounded, dual-threat offensive play and detailed defensive work, lends itself well to a high-floor projection. It’ll certainly be interesting to see how he fares in the NCAA, where he will be facing significantly tougher competition. I certainly am a believer.
No. 6: Lenni Hämeenaho (RW)
2nd Round, 2023 (58th Overall) — 58 Games Played | 20 Goals | 31 Assists | 51 Total Points — Ässät (Liiga)
The Devils selected Lenni Hämeenaho with their first selection of the 2023 NHL Draft, and for good reason. He was one of the smartest draft-eligible players despite significant mechanical deficiencies in his skating. Flash forward a couple of seasons, and he’s established himself as the premier U21 talent in Liiga and one of Ässät’s best players. On top of that, he’s ironed out the negative bits of his game and looks the part of a well-balanced complementary winger.
Skating: 5.5/10
Over the years, I’ve been openly pretty critical of Hämeenaho’s skating ability. When he was drafted, he had a hitch in his stride and severely, severely struggled to generate any sort of acceleration or impressive top speed. He’s put the work in, though, and that hitch is somewhat gone, and with it, my worries about his skating abilities holding him back from NHL action.
Hämeenaho’s top speed has already improved to above-NHL-average; according to tracked data from Liiga, his top speed this past season was 22.6 mph — NHL average is 22.1. He’s improved his top speed by about 0.3 mph every season, so it’s crystal clear that he has been putting in the work to fix his skating issues. The acceleration hasn’t drastically improved, though, so it still takes him a second to truly get going.
His edgework has always been the best part of his skating, and I think that still holds true, though Hämeenaho certainly boasts a more balanced skating repertoire now that he has improved his top-end speed and acceleration. He is able to use nifty cutbacks to get past defenders, particularly in one-on-one situations, in order to get to the middle of the ice and develop high-danger plays from there.
Hockey Sense: 8/10
Undoubtedly, Hämeenaho’s best attribute is his offensive awareness and smarts, which have been the case since his draft year. He always knows where to be and when, finding open space to capitalize on like nobody’s business. He has a good feel for playing around the net, with constant movement instead of stagnancy there and an understanding that he can do more damage from the sides of the crease rather than directly in the middle. He truly excels at finding space, though, and profiles as more of a passenger, complementary winger than a true driver.
Hämeenaho has good vision, too, particularly in finding high-danger opportunities. Along the boards, he is able to make tough plays to the middle of the ice — the same goes for when he’s behind the net or in tight coverage, too. His playmaking chops are solid, and he has the ability to slow the game down and really evaluate the best next steps, regardless of how much pressure is applied to him.
Puck Skills: 5.5/10
I’m not of the opinion that Hämeenaho is overwhelmingly skilled, per se, but he does have some one-on-one chops that allow him to dance around defenders at times. His hands are relatively quick from a lateral standpoint, and he has one or two dekes that he relies on to get around stick checks and body checks, but he’s otherwise reliant on his smarts and shot to make plays happen. From the inside, he boasts patience more than soft skill, out-waiting goaltenders rather than faking them out of their skates most of the time. The point stands, though — Hämeenaho’s hands aren’t his bread and butter.
Shot: 7/10
Many seem to think that Hämeenaho is a playmaking-type, but he really isn’t. He’s a shoot-first winger who excels in open space. His wrist shot is his best asset, with a wicked and quick release that can beat goaltenders from both in-tight and at a distance:
His one-timer is also pretty electric. He generates an astounding amount of power without the need to draw his stick all the way back, making his one-time opportunities less telegraphed and more threatening as a result. Him on the flank on the second power-play unit will be a boon.
Not many people know this, either, but Hämeenaho is the definition of a volume shooter. If he can get a shot off, he will do so. On his team, he was handily first in shots, logging 293 during the regular season — second place was 217. This put Hämeenaho seventh across the entire Liiga for shots.
Defensive Awareness: 7.5/10
Hämeenaho’s two-way play has been appealing since before he was drafted. His hockey sense applies to his defensive play, too, excelling at putting himself in the right spot to disturb play for the other team. He’s very rarely caught out of position, staying in passing and shooting lanes and forcing play away from the slot. He has an extremely active stick and anticipates play well, leading to odd-man rush generation the other way at a much higher than average clip.
Physicality/Size: 3.5/10
Hämeenaho’s physicality and grit pretty much only apply to board battles. I wouldn’t say he’s an avid forechecker, nor would I say he is one for physical contact, but he is a solid player when forced up against the wall. Again, he prefers to operate in space, so his general ideology of steering clear of body-checking comes as no surprise.
NHL Comparable: Tyler Toffoli
NHL Ceiling: Middle Six Scoring Winger
NHL Likelihood: Certain
There is no longer any doubt in my mind that Hämeenaho will have a successful career in the NHL — I’d previously been shaky considering his awful skating technique, but he’s ironed that part of his game out so much that it looks more like an asset than a detriment at this point. He signed his ELC, as expected, and will report to Utica to start the 2025-26 season. Perhaps he can even make a name for himself during training camp or during the season and see some NHL time soon.
No. 5: Mikhail Yegorov (G)
2nd Round, 2024 (49th Overall) — 14 Games Played | .931 SV% | 1.99 GAA | 8-5-1 | 1 SHO — Boston University (NCAA)
It’s no surprise that the Devils selected a highly-touted goaltender in the 2024 NHL Draft after an abysmal 2023-24 season in goal led them to miss the playoffs. Enter Mikhail Yegorov, who took the NCAA by storm. Playing on by far the weakest USHL team in the Omaha Lancers, Yegorov posted a stellar .912 SV% there with just three wins and a 3.12 GAA to show for it — as you might be able to tell from that stat line, he was constantly peppered with 45+ shots on a daily basis and still gave his team a fighting chance day in and day out. From his frustration, he accelerated his commitment to the NCAA, matriculating to a Boston University that was strong everywhere but in net.
Boy, did BU need him, and vice versa. He instantly made a significant impact and has since taken over the starting role for his team, with a stellar stat line to boot. Finally, with a competent team in front of him, Yegorov’s abilities have been given the chance to shine.
Athleticism: 8/10
For a 6’5 goaltender, Yegorov boasts unbelievable athleticism. Most goalies his size rely on their positioning — which, as I’ll get into shortly, isn’t false with Yegorov — but his athleticism is nearly as good. It’s rare that he’s needed to, but when he has been forced to flail for a save at BU, he’s mostly been able to recover. His reach is ridiculous, his mobility is solid, and he has a strong glove and blocker to boot.
Mobility: 7/10
Yegorov’s butterfly is a near-straight line, which allows him to really dig his skate into the ice before pushing off. That, in turn, lets him move from post to post extremely quickly. At times, it can almost be too much, occasionally overcommitting and forcing his own hand into a desperation save. His North-South mobility is solid as well.
Positioning: 9/10
What stands out to me more than anything else with Yegorov, which in and of itself is an impressive feat considering how well-balanced a goalie prospect he is, is his positioning. Despite his athleticism, he maintains strong positioning and lets his gigantic frame do the bulk of the work for him. His calmness and patience are direct results of the confidence he has in his size taking up shooters’ space. Look at the 2-on-0 sequence below, for example, and just how little Yegorov moves side-to-side because he has such great poise and equanimity:
Puck Tracking: 7/10
Yegorov tracks the puck pretty damn well, too — there really isn’t much not to like about his game. He can fight through difficult screens and will never not make a save on a shot he sees. He anticipates plays well on top of that, infrequently getting caught off-guard.
NHL Comparable: Connor Hellebuyck
Disclaimer: I’m obviously not saying here that Yegorov will be as good as Connor Hellebuyck, nor am I saying he will be particularly close. Stylistically, though, they both possess elite levels of calmness under pressure, and it appears as though they don’t have to do as much work to make big saves because of that and their positioning.
NHL Ceiling: Top-15 Starter
NHL Likelihood: Near Certain
The writing is on the wall for Yegorov to take the reins as the Devils’ starting goaltender of the future, but he will most likely spend two more seasons in the NCAA sharpening his game before making the jump. Almost every highly-regarded goalie in the NCAA takes three seasons of marination before coming to the NHL, and there is no reason to believe that Yegorov will be an exception.
No. 4: Seamus Casey (RHD)
2nd Round, 2022 (46th Overall) — 28 Games Played | 3 Goals | 14 Assists | 17 Total Points — Utica Comets (AHL)
I’m sure some people are going to scoff at Seamus Casey’s “low” ranking of the fourth-best prospect in the Devils system, but I’m very confident in the placement here, and I’d have him closer to 5 than 3 on my list. I think there’s some pretty clear brake-pumping that needs to be done on his front, and the number of people I’ve seen put him above the Devils’ two better defense prospects is both shocking and concerning.
I have to imagine the sudden uprising in disposition toward Casey is a product of his short stint in the NHL early in the 2024-25 season, but to put it in perspective, he had shot 44.4% and his goaltenders had saved 98.33% of the shots they had seen while Casey was on the ice. Neither one of those is even remotely sustainable, and, to be frank with you, he’s largely gotten caved in from an underlying metric standpoint. I get that goals are fun and exciting, but I implore everyone to take a step back and evaluate what’s really been going on with him. With that said, the talent and raw offensive tools are undeniable.
Skating: 9/10
Casey’s best asset is, bar none, his skating. His speed and acceleration are what you would expect from a defender who is listed at 5’10, 162 pounds, but his edge work is simply magical. His foot speed while moving laterally is practically unparalleled, being able to do things that only the Quinn Hugheses and Lane Hutsons of the league can do while patrolling the blue line. Casey can stop on a dime before reaccelerating near-immediately, performing flawless cutbacks that send pressuring opponents flying. He’s a demon in transition by proxy of his elite ability to get around defenders with pivots and rotations, and can get around pressure extremely well with possession of the puck with nifty spin moves. The only reason I didn’t rate his skating as a perfect 10 is that his top-end speed is simply above-average, as opposed to the genuinely elite nature of his acceleration and edges.
Hockey Sense: 7/10
Casey possesses a very high hockey IQ as well, particularly from an offensive standpoint. His skating gives him the ability to hold on to the puck as long as he wants to, which, when paired with his excellent vision and understanding of how to generate high-danger plays, makes him a legitimate threat at all times. He can execute cross-ice passing plays at will and has the innate ability to draw defenders to his position before burning them with dekes, spin moves, and pivots.
His vision, as noted above, is excellent, and he has solid playmaking chops to pair with it. The problem I see in his game in this regard is a bit of overzealousness.
Puck Skills: 9/10
Casey possesses hands you ordinarily don’t see from a defenseman, with lightning-fast side-to-side movement and a ginormous collection of dekes to pull from when operating one-on-one, one-on-two, or solely against the goaltender. This, too, makes him a transitional expert, which is only exacerbated when you think about his skating ability as well.
Shot: 6/10
In terms of his one-timer, Casey’s shot is relatively unimpressive. He doesn’t generate much power and is generally unconfident in his abilities there, leading to him scarcely using it at all.
His wrister, though, is excellent. He has a quick release and sharpshooter accuracy when operating through screens. As with most defenders with his archetype, he excels in drawing defenders to him to create a natural screen before shooting it through their legs, not giving the goaltender any alerts as to when or where the shot is coming from.
Defensive Awareness: 5/10
Casey is generally positioned well in the defensive zone, but he has a sort of overzealousness in puck pursuit and can get blinders on at times. This can be coached out of him, but it is an issue. He is great at lifting sticks, though, and poke checks, which he can subsequently turn into opportunities the other way because of his offensive toolkit. His board battles are expectedly a weak point, being easy to shove out of the way or out-muscle, and he will very, very rarely involve himself physically.
Physicality/Size: 3/10
Casey definitely isn’t afraid of using his body despite his stature (he’s listed at 5’10, 162, though I have an inkling that he’s not quite 5’10), but how useful it is in those situations is up for debate. He’s pretty tiny — the only defenseman as light as him in the NHL this past season was Hutson, who had largely gotten bullied off the puck despite trying his best not to. He’s going to need to fill out more at the very least.
NHL Comparable: Torey Krug
NHL Ceiling: Second Pair Offensive Defenseman with PP2 Duties
NHL Likelihood: Certain
Casey already garnered NHL opportunities this past season — his first as a pro. There is no doubt in my mind that he’ll be fighting for a permanent spot on the roster next season. I do think he would have an easier time making it if he took reps as a forward, and I think his skillset probably warrants at least a look in that regard, but there’s still a ~0% chance he doesn’t have a lengthy career in the NHL. He’s just too good not to.
No. 3: Arseni Gritsyuk (RW)
5th Round, 2019 (129th Overall) — 49 Games Played | 17 Goals | 27 Assists | 44 Total Poins — SKA St. Petersburg (KHL)
Arseni Gritsyuk’s career as a Devils’ prospect has been a bit of a rollercoaster, in that since blossoming into one of the KHL’s most promising youngsters, no one had really been sure that he was actually going to come over to the NHL until he signed his one-year ELC.
That couldn’t come at a better time for the Devils, who, as a team, are longing for skilled players to pop into their lineup after a season mired by a general overcompensatory focus on grit over skill. He should immediately slot in as a middle-six contributor, and one who will supply a good amount of offense to the team, too.
Skating: 6.5/10
The KHL isn’t a particularly fast league, but Gritsyuk is much faster than his colleagues there. He boasts above-average acceleration, with a strong first step, and can blow by defenders with above-average speed. His explosion allows him to create a good amount of separation pretty quickly, but it will be interesting to see how that stacks up against NHL competition.
His edges, though, are impressive. Gritsyuk controls his weight effectively, being able to swerve and pivot around defenders both on the cycle and off the rush. His ability to do a 180 with the puck on his stick is excellent.
Hockey Sense: 6/10
Grisyuk’s playmaking and vision aren’t the best, but he does excel at getting into open space for feeds from his teammates. He knows how to time sneaking into open space and can capitalize on defenders who have their heads turned away from him and toward the puck carrier.
Where his smarts also come into play is in the understanding and confidence he has in his shot. Gritsyuk’s best ability, as I’ll get into shortly, is his shot, and he knows it. He is able to identify when he has a goalie frozen in anticipation of a shot and is able to exploit that to effectively give passes to his teammates off the rush.
I’d still like to see more from a playmaking standpoint from Gritsyuk, though. I haven’t really seen him with a demonstrable ability to go tape-to-tape or execute any high-danger passing plays that aren’t obvious.
Puck Skills: 6/10
Gritsyuk possesses somewhat strong hands and a decent collection of moves. He knows how to get around stick checks with the puck on a string on occasion when his game is firing on all cylinders. He can make the moves that he does have in his pocket while at full speed or while pivoting, though, which makes that “decent collection” a bit more threatening.
In many ways, this makes Gritsyuk’s game very simple. Rather than relying on fancy plays, he gets to the net and gets a shot off. He relies much more on finding open space while his teammates have the puck than generating that open space for himself — and that’s fine.
Shot: 8.5/10
Undoubtedly, Gritsyuk’s shot is his strongest tool. He picks his spots and gets shots off quickly and deceptively, being able to change the angle of his release to fool goalies at will. His wrister is particularly impressive off the rush, with the aforementioned deceptive release being able to catch goalies off guard even at a distance while he is in stride.
His one-timer is phenomenal, too. Gritsyuk barely shows that he’s going to one-time a puck when he does so and is still able to generate a ton of power using his back leg strength to really drive through the puck. This will make him a necessity on the second power-play unit and perhaps even an occasional guest on the first power-play unit if the Devils are decimated with injuries again.
Gritsyuk shoots often and from anywhere, too, having averaged more than 3.5 shots on goal per game in the last two KHL seasons.
Defensive Awareness: 3/10
Gritsyuk is not engaged defensively as much as you’d like to see from a prospect with this high a ranking on this list, but he makes up for it from an offensive standpoint. He’s relatively inactive in his movement and doesn’t really attempt to drive play to the outside all that much. This can cause the illusion that he disappears for moments throughout a game, but the reality is that his mind is just focused on producing chances every shift.
Physicality/Size: 4.5/10
While not big, per se, Gritsyuk is a stocky forward — he’s listed as 6’0 and 200ish pounds. This comes more into play in his strength with the puck on his stick, scarcely being pushed off of a possession or knocked off of a power move. He isn’t overwhelmingly physical, but he will chip in a hit or two a game on the forecheck in order to create some space between the puck carrier and the puck.
His strength within the offensive zone is solid, though. He’s a puckhound and is relentless in cashing in on rebounds, with or without physical involvement. He’s tough to knock down from in-tight.
NHL Comparable: Frank Vatrano
NHL Ceiling: 2nd Line Winger
NHL Likelihood: Certain
I had received confirmation about his plans to transition to North America from his agent, Shumi Babaev, months ago. Again, he should be immediately slotting in on the Devils’ third line and should provide an immediate pop in terms of depth offensive production.
No. 2: Anton Silayev (LHD)
1st Round, 2024 (10th Overall) — 63 Games Played | 2 Goals | 10 Assists | 12 Total Points — Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod (KHL)
I admit that I was not a fan of Anton Silayev's pick of 10th overall last draft. At the time of the draft, I verbosely advertised Sam Dickinson and Zeev Buium as the better picks, and, to pump my own tires a little bit, those two look like the two best defensive prospects in the NHL, if not the two best prospects, period. Small tangent aside, Silayev is still profiling as a really great player down the line. He’s a true unicorn.
Skating: 10/10
Silayev is outright unicornical1 when it comes to his skating abilities. His speed is unmatched. His acceleration is top-notch. His edgework is similar to players a foot shorter than him. It doesn’t even matter that he’s doing this all at 6’7 — his skating would still be flawless if he were 6’0.
The power Silayev is able to generate with each individual stride is remarkable, and he can cover incredible amounts of ice with just a few strides because of it. His explosion in his first step is salient, which gets him to his upper-echelon top speed in five or six strides. As he gains a few pounds — he’s “just” 210 pounds at 6’7 — I could see him being able to generate even more power, too, though perhaps at the expense of his edgework and ability to shift weight effortlessly.
On that last point, Silayev’s edges and ability to shift weight from side to side and north to south are perfect. A 6’7 defender walking the blue line isn’t what you’d expect to see on a game-by-game basis, and yet he makes it work with ease. His lateral movement is nearly as good as his straight-line speed. The weight shifting is faultless, too, being able to drop back onto his heels to begin skating backward immediately and speedily when need be. His backward skating is better than 99% of NHLers already.
This all combines to make him flawless in recovery when things go awry in the offensive zone, being able to catch up to forwards in the event of a turnover, and a theoretical asset in transitioning from zone to zone (particularly in exiting the defensive zone with possession).
Hockey Sense: 4/10
Where Silayev’s game lacks most of all is in his offensive hockey IQ, but I’m actually not overwhelmingly concerned about his trajectory in this regard for two reasons: 1) it really boils down to one issue, and 2) even if he doesn’t iron this part of his game out, he still profiles as a top-four defenseman.
That one issue is a lack of ability to really slow the game down and control the pace of play. Silayev is a bit jumpy with the puck on his stick in the offensive zone, not giving himself or his teammates much time to think at all. Once it’s on his stick, it’s off. This mostly results in low-danger shot attempts from the point — he is pretty trigger-happy — but will occasionally look like a D-to-D pass or turnover because he panics.
This applies in transition, too. With someone possessive of his skating abilities, it’s disappointing that he isn’t more active in transition. I noted in the blurb about his skating that he is theoretically an asset in transition, and this is where that “theoretically” applies. Silayev panics with the puck on his stick more often than not, so the zone-to-zone chops that should be there are stymied a good bit. His first pass is practically nonexistent simply because he doesn’t slow the game down enough to evaluate his options or see the ice well, and he doesn’t skate with the puck on his stick because he doesn’t like it there.
It’s not all bad with Silayev from a hockey sense perspective, though. He has shown flashes of jumping into play, capitalizing on his legs to become a threat as the second or third man in an odd-man rush opportunity. He has shown a good success rate in his pinches, too, albeit those don’t happen as often as you’d like to see.
Puck Skills: 3/10
For a defender his size, Silayev’s hands are actually quite good. The problem is that, well, that isn’t a very high bar. His stick is so lengthy that even if he wanted to move it at a lightning-fast pace, he couldn’t. He’s generally pretty clunky with the puck on his stick and largely uncomfortable making moves.
Shot: 5/10
I don’t particularly care for Silayev’s wrist shot — I don’t think it’s going to be all that useful at the NHL level — so I’ll really hone in on his slap shot instead.
It’s accurate, to be sure. Among his peers, he hits the net at a higher clip than normal on his shots from the point. The issue, surprisingly enough, is in the amount of power he puts into each shot. I don’t think he puts all that much pressure into his back leg when shooting, and thus, he doesn’t drive the full strength of his back leg into his shots as he should. He shoots from a more upright position than you’d necessarily want to see, but this can certainly be coached.
At this point in time, I’m not in love with how often he chooses to shoot, though that could (and probably will) change when he fills out a bit more and learns how to really drive power into his shots. Silayev is certainly regarded as a volume shooter in terms of defensemen at this point, and while he could definitely use to tone that down a bit, it would be less of an issue if he had more oomph to his shots.
Defensive Awareness: 10/10
For Silayev, his defensive abilities are so good that I’m going to break them down into two parts: neutral zone defense and in-zone defense.
Beginning with his neutral zone play, his unearthly skating abilities give him truly elite gap coverage when the opposition is on the rush. Silayev closes in on breakout forwards with the puck in the blink of an eye, with the ability to continue not giving them an iota of space because he’s just so good at keeping pace, even when skating backward. His seal-offs are ridiculously effective. He doesn’t need to move all that much or telegraph them because he first starts off his neutral zone defense by closing the gap with his skating. Skaters simply cannot get past Silayev off the rush.
In the zone, he’s not quite as elite but still very effective. He clears the crease well, being unforgiving and relentless in front of the net in his efforts to prevent opposing forwards from being able to get chances off. His positioning is a strength, with the natural reach to keep the play to the outside regardless of where his body is. Silayev is comfortable along the perimeter himself, too, with his gap closure abilities applying to perimeter players as well. He forces play into the boards more often than you normally see from a defender because he can get to the puck and player so quickly.
Physicality/Size: 9/10
Of course, Silayev is physically engaged. He’s a hard hitter when he needs to be, physically punishing his opponents at will when he decides it’s time. This comes as no surprise, considering his size. In board battles, he overwhelms his opponents physically, leaving them truly unable to move and ensuring a regained possession. He delivers huge, open-ice hits pretty regularly.
NHL Comparable: Zdeno Chara
NHL Ceiling: Norris Candidate
NHL Floor: Top-Four Defensive Defenseman
I added this section for Silayev alone because, while his ceiling as a Norris candidate is true, there’s going to be a lot of work needed to get there. I’ll explain more below.
NHL Likelihood: Certain
It might take a couple of seasons for Silayev’s game to be polished enough to make an impact at the NHL level, but there is a near-zero percent chance he won’t make a significant impact for the Devils’ blue line in due time.
As noted above, at worst, Silayev will be a top-four defensive defenseman. His skating and defensive aptitude as a byproduct of his skating are just too damn good for anything less. If — and it’s a big if — he can find his offensive game, develop a legitimate first-pass, and slow the game down a lot more with the puck on his stick, there is a Norris candidate defenseman to be had there. I’m not sure he’ll reach that status with Luke Hughes presumably being the PP1 quarterback for the next 15 years, but if things pan out and Silayev takes a significant step forward offensively, he can be one of the best defensemen in the NHL.
No. 1: Šimon Nemec (RHD)
1st Round, 2022 (2nd Overall) — 21 Games Played | 1 Goal | 2 Assists | 3 Total Points — New Jersey Devils (NHL)
In 2024-25, the Devils’ fanbase has soured quite a bit on Šimon Nemec, and while it’s sad to see, I get it — he just wasn’t very good until the last few playoff games.
The thing is, though, that you don’t just have 2023-24’s output by accident. Nemec unexpectedly came into the lineup because of Dougie Hamilton’s injury and performed as arguably the team’s best defenseman. He played 20 minutes a night, logging meaningful time on both the power play and penalty kill, and looked the part of an elite NHLer at just 19-20 years of age. His offensive WAR at even strength was in the 91st percentile — again, you don’t do that by accident.
His statistical profile has always been stellar at every level he’s played hockey at. In his draft year, he had the best production of any defenseman ever to play in the Slovak leagues and the third-highest production of any Slovakian first-year eligible draftee, period. In his first season in the AHL in 2022-23, he put up over 0.5 points per game (34 in 65) and took over as the team’s #1 defenseman by season’s end. Even going back to the AHL this past season, after he recovered from his injury, he was the most productive blue liner on the team, outproducing Casey for a long stretch.
If it were up to me, I’d take a Men-In-Black approach and erase everyone’s memory of 2024-25. Yes, he took a step back, but he also entered the year with a significant injury sustained in the Olympic Qualifiers — one from which he returned too early. From then, he was thrust into a brand new system that is notoriously difficult for newbies to acclimate to, with a practically brand-new defense corps. After going back down to Utica, Nemec gradually gained his health and confidence back, established himself as the team’s 1D once more, and was brought back up to the NHL, where fans immediately soured on him after a few games, and he lost his confidence again. He’s still just 21 years old, making him one of the league’s youngest defensemen to make an appearance in the NHL this past season. With all that in mind, of course he hasn’t looked as pristine as he did two seasons ago.
Skating: 5/10
Nemec has gotten a lot of flak for his skating ability over the seasons, and while I’m no exception to that rule, it’s better than people give him credit for. His straight-line speed and acceleration are relatively poor; to be clear, his top speed is just barely above NHL average, and his acceleration is somewhat atrocious.
His four-way mobility, though — transitioning from going forward to backward, pivoting, moving laterally — is quite good. He shifts his weight smoothly and flawlessly, allowing him to take unique and intelligent routes to the puck and giving him an innate ability to move the puck forward.
Hockey Sense: 9.5/10
This is where Nemec’s game truly shines, in my opinion, but also where there is a fundamental misunderstanding from much of the fanbase in how he plays the game.
Nemec’s entire game is designed around manipulation, subtleties, and calmness — the last of which layman fans have honed in on without really understanding what they’re watching. As briefly mentioned above, he has a sort of innate ability to move the puck up-ice, and it’s exclusively due to the manipulative nature of his game. Short, deliberate passes. Subtle, soft-skilled plays to get the puck around a pressuring defender. Using the boards to chip a puck exactly where it needs to be. Directing the flow of play away from pressure. Delays. Tiny head fakes. Feigning a shot to deliver a tape-to-tape pass without telegraphing it, and vice versa. No-look plays. Pinching at (mostly) the right moments.
It’s stuff like that that you simply can’t teach, which makes Nemec such an effective player, and why he needs a bit more patience. When he’s operating at his best, playing his type of game, the ice outright tilts.
That’s also where calmness enters Nemec’s play — in staying calm, particularly under pressure, he is able to activate his playstyle even more. He draws defenders in with his unruffled nature before punishing them with the subtle plays that push the puck past them. This often gets misperceived as laziness, which I understand to some extent, but it is just a mischaracterization of the player — take this play against Winnipeg as an example. The turnover was ugly, to be sure, but so many people were labeling him as lazy rather than understanding that remaining calm is a staple in how he plays the game.
It’s the subtleties that make the big plays almost less wow-worthy for Nemec. People unintentionally get so used to him making the right small-scale plays that the big moments — perfect stretch passes, give-and-goes, exemplary pinches, etc. — seem less so.
Nemec has also shown an aptitude for activating into the play, be it on a pinch or floating down into the zone for a shot opportunity or passing option. He’s chaotic in that he’s constantly moving in the offensive zone, looking for a way to chip in to extend a possession or generate a chance.
Not everything is perfect, though, of course. Nemec is prone to the occasional over-aggressive pinch because of his want/need to keep the puck flowing in the offensive zone, and when he does over-aggress, he doesn’t have the straight-line speed to recover, which either leaves his partner in an odd-man situation or his goalie mano-a-mano with a forward on a breakaway. That’s not a great habit, but he’ll learn how to time pinches better at the NHL level with more reps. He’s just 21 years old.
Puck Skills: 6/10
Nemec possesses a solid repertoire of dekes and dangles to pull from, especially from a defenseman. I wouldn’t say he’s a world-beater with his hands, but he’ll pull out the occasional move to dipsy-doodle around a defender.
His hands are excellent when it comes to stick lifting, though, particularly when he loses possession temporarily in the offensive zone.
This sequence is a good example of a combination of his deking ability and his stick-lifting ability, which may sound cherry-picked, but I implore you to really hone in on his game the next time he plays — stuff like this happens pretty often:
Shot: 6/10
Nemec also has somewhat of a howitzer from the point, though I don’t think it’s been on display quite as much on the NHL level as I’ve seen from his time in Slovakia and in the AHL. He drives the puck with his back leg extremely well, generating loads of power from a standstill and when he is inching backward. His accuracy can be lacking at times, but for my money, I’m not sure there’s a defender in the Devils’ system better at keeping the puck low on slappers to generate rebounds.
I also like his wrist shot a lot. I think his release is quick and deliberate, and he is able to shoot through screens with enough accuracy to beat goaltenders before they even know where the puck is. He was knocked a bit in his draft year from shooting too much from low-danger areas of the ice, but I’d actually like to see him shoot a bit more. I remember distinctly saying that Nemec was shooting all the time in his first two games in the big leagues, and I want him to revert back to that rather than the guy who has only unloaded on the net 89 times in 81 games as an NHLer.
Defensive Awareness: 6/10
While he certainly needs a bit more refinement here, I still think Nemec is a net plus on defense. As I noted ad nauseam in the essay on his hockey sense, subtleties run his game, and his play on the defensive side of things is no different. He uses the boards quite well for bank passes or chip-outs and is generally very good at faking one direction while moving the puck in another to shed a pressuring forechecker.
Nemec has two deficiencies in his defensive game: 1) neutral zone play and 2) blinders.
Starting with point #1, Nemec doesn’t close gaps particularly quickly, which allows forwards to beat him with their speed. He tends to give a bit too much open space in open ice.
In pertinence to his blinders, he can get hyper-focused on the puck while in pursuit in his own zone, occasionally forgetting that he actually needs to give his man in coverage to another defending player and causing double-commitments that leave opposing players open. Again, this can be coached out of him.
Physicality/Size: 3/10
Nemec isn’t a particularly big or physical defender, though he is stocky (listed at 6’1, 190) and strong. He doesn’t get bullied off the puck often, if at all, and will very occasionally use his body instead of his stick to create separation along the boards. It isn’t a calling card of his, though, nor should it be when thinking about the rest of his skill set.
NHL Comparable: Aaron Ekblad
NHL Ceiling: #2, Two-Way Defenseman
NHL Likelihood: Certain
Nemec will be a very, very good NHLer for a very, very long time. At worst, to me, he profiles as a high-end, second-pairing, two-way defender. I’m not sure he’ll ever be a #1, especially not on a team that has Luke Hughes, but he should project as more of a sturdy, two-way #2 defender with enough upside in both ways to be a fixture on both special teams units. He just needs a little reset and a little refinement.
All in all, the Devils’ pipeline is looking pretty decent, all things considered. They’re a wannabe Cup-contending team, so it's no surprise that their prospect pool isn’t chock-full of high-end talent, but they still have a good number of players who should make an impact in the NHL at some point in their careers.
If you read this all the way through, you’re a real trooper — this took, expectedly, quite some time to do, and I appreciate all the support more than you will ever know.
Can we make this a commonly-used term, please? I feel like it’s too good not to be one.
I could make a bunch of small comments on players, but what really needs to be written is holy crap. I have never seen such an extensive prospect profile before. So much work! So much detail! Even too much to read. Take a bow!. Devils fans are lucky to have you.
Great work! I’ve mentioned this before but very much agreed on wanting Casey to try to transition to F. Would love to see that attempted.