New Jersey Devils Prospect Update: Waiting on Gritsyuk

There are reports the Devils are trying to sign Arseni Gritsyuk now, but it’s unlikely to happen before the end of the season, if it happens at all.

Arseni Gritsyuk has come a long way since the Devils drafted him in the 5th round (127th overall) in 2019. The Russian winger celebrated his 24th birthday this weekend and is 12th in the KHL in points per game with 17 goals and 42 points in 47 contests. Devils fans have been excited for the SKA St. Petersburg star to come over to North America for some time and it looks like some more waiting is in order.

For his part, it seems like Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald does not want to wait.

“That’s what we’re trying to do right now,” Fitzgerald explained when asked about Grtisyuk’s status. “We’re trying to get him under contract right now. That’s the goal, to get him over here and give him a chance to show us what he can do.”

Arseni Gritsyuk’s contract ends on May 31st. While there are rules allowing a buyout of a player under contract in the KHL, SKA and Gritsyuk would both have to agree to the terms. Only two points out of first place in the Bobrov Division, SKA is unlikely to do the Devils any favors letting Gritsyuk out of his deal and the KHL and the NHL are not exactly on the best of terms these days. So, while it is theoretically possible Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald could work some magic to get Gritsyuk over during a playoff run, as in it’s also theoretically possible for seas to part (a phenomenon known as wind setdown), it is also not very likely.

So, will Arseni Gritsyuk come over to the Devils next season? Definitely maybe. Gritsyuk has expressed a desire to come over after this contract ends, but as of Sunday morning nothing is written in stone and he would not be the first player to use the NHL as a bargaining chip to leverage for more money to stay with his Russian club. So, on we wait.

Around the Pool:

• Russian defender Anton Silayev scored his 2nd of the year on this play.

• Streaky forward Samu Salminen is heating up again as playoffs begin. This season, Salminen had 9 goals, 23 points in 36 games, all collegiate highs. Here’s a look at a crafty assist around the netmouth.

• College hockey has begun its post season and Goaltender Mikhail Yegorov has gotten Boston University off to a good start.

• Newcomer to the Devils prospect pool, forward Shane LaChance potted this goal for Boston University in that game.

• Lastly, a nice snipe from defender Daniil Orlov for his fifth of the season.

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