New Jersey Devils Prospect Update: Let’s Go! Edition

Some seasons have started. Some have not. This post covers some prospect news in preparation for what’s to come.

Hockey has started across Europe, so it’s time to start updating on the progress of the youngsters in the Devil’s system, but first, some housekeeping. Next week, AATJ will be running our preseason features, so there will be no prospect update. I know. Try not to be too sad. I’ll be back the second week of October.

Second, as the pool has diminished somewhat, I will start after my return by focusing more attention on key prospects and providing prospect news on three out of the four weeks and covering the Utica Comets the other week rather than update Europe, NCAA and Juniors in rotating weeks. The format will likely revert back to normal once more data accumulates, but for now that’s the plan as I do not believe it is helpful to post charts for ten to fifteen games worth of data. I would rather write a more in depth piece on Gritsyuk or Hameenaho or Seamus Casey’s adjustment to the AHL or whoever else may be hot at the time rather than post a lot of meaningless box stats with relatively little information on them — at least, for now.

For those who cannot wait for pure stat updates on Devils prospects, Eliteprospects.com has you covered under the Devils In the System page.

That said, let’s get into some news:

Around the Pool

• The Devils closed out their prospect challenge with a 2-1 record. Mike Irving of LWOS wrote this article highlighting his take on the Devils in the tournament. He saw mostly what I saw touting Chase Stillman and Xavier Parent as standouts and highlighting Isaac Poulter’s incredible night.
• I am not sure if this was missed this summer but defenseman Daniil Karpovich has moved over to the KHL from Belarus and is suiting up for Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg.
• After seemingly establishing himself as a KHL regular last season, defenseman Artyom Barabosha has started this season in the VHL for Zvezda Moskva.
• Two players lead the pack out of the gate in points for a Devils prospect. Lenni Hameenaho and Arseni Gritsyuk both have five points (2 goals and 3 assists) as of Saturday afternoon. Hameenaho has reached his fifth point playing less games than Gritsyuk (4 games to 6). It is far too early yet for it to mean much, but Hameenaho’s current pace puts him at 80 PNHLe on Dobber’s scale at Dobberprospects.com. Hameenaho finished last season with a 65 PNHLe, which is equivalent production to a projection of a future 1st line player in the NHL.
• Jakub Malek has been lights out to start his season in the Liiga for Ilves:

• Meanwhile, 2024 goaltender draftee Mikhail Yegurov has been goal light on for the hapless Omaha Lancers sporting a demonic 6.66 GA and .778 SV% in his first two USHL games this year. Playing for such an awful team, Devils fans might not get a chance to see what they really have in Yegurov until he joins Boston University next season.
• Former Devils fifth rounder Artem Shlaine is officially a Devil — well, a Sun Devil, at least. The Russian center has transferred to the Arizona State Sun Devils as a graduate. Shlaine suffered a season-ending injury for Northern Michigan last year after putting up 23 points in 27 games.
• Speaking of former Devils draft picks, ex-Boston University defenseman Case McCarthy signed a deal with the Hartford Wolf Pack, the New York Rangers AHL affiliate. We wish Mr. McCarthy luck, but not too much luck. It is the Rangers, after all.

Your Take

Tell us what you think. Are you excited about this season? Who do you want to see spotlighted the most? Post your comments below.