After a series of trades, departures and graduations, the Devils prospect pool has been thinning out. Here are three that really need to show something this season.
Prospect development is not always linear. Sometimes prospects fall back a bit before finding their next gear. Here are three unsigned prospects who had a disappointing season last year, who really need to take a big step this season if they want to earn contracts.
Samu Salminen
I still find Samu Salminen to be an intriguing prospect playing on a very low-scoring team in U-Conn, the same team that Artem Shlaine played for before his point totals nearly-doubled after a transfer to Northern Michigan. Hopefully, Salminen’s development at U-Conn will help him fully develop the defensive-side of his game, as he will need that to carve out a niche as a bottom six forward in the NHL someday. Offensively, Salminen’s point totals stagnated at 17 in a season once removed from his visa troubles and adjustment to North American ice. Coupled with the fact that Salminent played eight additional games this season and scored two fewer goals, it was not a great season on the scoresheet. Salminen will need to step up his production this year.
Petr Hauser
It is hard to believe that Petr Hauser is only 20 years old. The big Czech winger finally made the jump to HC Sparta Praha this season, but not full time and totaled only seven assists (and no goals) in 30 games. Hauser has a lot of the hallmarks of a fourth line high-energy checking winger, but still needs to improve his skating. To stay relevant in the prospect pool, Hauser will need to secure a regular shift role with Sparta this season and up his production to a more respectable total.
Ethan Edwards
Ethan Edwards is a little different on this list as the University of Michigan defender played strongly this season, appearing in only 21 games after missing training camp and the beginning of the season recovering from injury. This will be Edwards’s senior season and the blueliner is expected to take a big leap in his role on the team upon the departure of fellow Devils prospect Seamus Casey. A strong season will ensure a contract somewhere for Edwards. With the crowded blue line the Devils have in their system, where that is remains to be seen.
Honorable Mention: Cole Brown
I put Cole Brown here because even though the Brantford Bulldog winger saw his production dip only slightly (three less points in five more games) in his D+1 season, I am less convinced about his long term potential as a prospect as I am the other three. Brown was a sixth round pick in 2023, and more often than not, those picks simply miss. Brown will have to take a big leap this year to change that conversation.
Your Take
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