New Jersey Devils Prospect Update: Grits on Top

Heading into Sunday, Devils prospect Arseni Gritsyuk was tied for the KHL lead in points. This post highlights his meteoric rise.

Grits on Fire

Since the Devils drafted Arseni Gritsyuk in the 5th round (129th overall) in the 2019 NHL entry draft, the Russian winger has shown his offensive bonafides starting with a 63 point (in only 59 games) season for Omskie Yastrebyin the MHL in his D+1 year. This season, at 23-years-old, Gritsuyk has taken his offense to the next level and, as of Sunday, was tied for the KHL lead with 22 points in 22 games.

Gritsyuk is pacing to decimate his highest scoring season in Russia’s top league, a 40 point in 66 game effort for Avangard Omsk in 2022-23. Last season. Gritsyuk signed with SKA St. Petersberg and paced better, scoring 38 points in only 50 games. This season, Gritsyuk is on pace for 67 points, more than his best MHL season.

On the final year of his contract, the Devils will be looking to sign Gritsyuk when his season ends. SKA is top of the Bobrov Division and is poised to make a long playoff run. So, it appears, Devils fans will have to wait until next season to see Gritsyuk in red and black.

Around the Pool

• On Friday, netminder Nico Daws surrendered eight unanswered goals to Rochester in a 8-1 lost, the Utica Comets eighth loss to start the season. Daws is now 0-6 with a 4.29 GAA and a 0.853 SV%.
• On Saturday, the Comets finally earned their first point of the season in a 3-2 shootout loss to Rochestor. Goaltender Isaac Poulter stopped 24 of 26. Nolan Foote and Seamus Casey scored for the Comets. That was Seamus Casey’s first career AHL goal.
• 2024 Devils 6th round pick Matyas Melovsky has 21 points in 11 games, a 118 point pace for Baie-Comeau Drakkar of the QMJHL. One should not be too excited with gaudy numbers in Canadian Juniors for a 20 year old double overager playing against teenagers. However, the pace is double last season’s totals and Melovsky would bring much needed center depth to the organization should he earn a contract.
• Defenseman and first round pick Anton Silayev has been scratched the last few games.

Your Take

Let us know what you think. Post your comments below.