New Jersey Prospect Update: Melovsky may bring much-needed center depth to NJ in the very near future

One should temper their expectations with a double-overager in the QMJHL, but at a nearly two points per game pace it’s time to start talking about Matyas Melovsky.

If someone were to ask you who has the most points and points per game of all the Devils prospects across all leagues as of this past Sunday, who would you think it was? Arseni Gritsyuk? Lenni Hameenaho? Both would be excellent guesses and both would be wrong. The answer is Matyas Melovsky.

At twenty-four points in only thirteen games, Matyas Melovsky is leading all Devils prospects in both points and points per game and, as of Sunday, is 12th in the entire league in points. Yes, Melovsky is a double-overager playing in the QMJHL, so one should temper their expectations, but the explosion has been encouraging, especially as a physical center who plays a style of game suited for the bottom six of a NHL team, something the Devils lack in their system.

Hadi Kalakeche of EP Rinkside recently wrote this article which explains Melovsky’s rise. From the article:

While Poirier is receiving a lot of credit for his goals, Melovský is at the heart of many of the winger’s grade-A chances. When Poirier gets a shot from the mid-slot or the half-wall, it’s primarily due to Melovský’s work. He out-waits defenders, carries the puck past one layer of defence, then feathers smart, timely passes right into Poirier’s wheelhouse.

Melovsky will still need to add some muscle to continue his physicality at the next level, but the results are encouraging and as Hadi says in the article:

Melovský has shown some exciting flashes of potential that weren’t evident last year

At the very least, Melovsky seems on his way to earning a professional contract at the end of the season.

Around the Pool

• Kevin Dineen out. Ryan Parent in as interim head coach of the Utica Comets.
• The Comets responded to the coaching change with a 4-3 overtime loss to the Lehigh valley Phantoms on Saturday, earning their first point of the season. Isaac Poulter stopped 27 of 31 and Chase Stillman scored his first goal of the season.
• Goaltender Tyler Brennan has had an outstanding start for the Adirondack Thunder with 1-1-1 record, 2.27 GAA and .922 SV% to start the season. Should Brennan continue his hot hand, it would not be surprising to see the netminder earn some starts in Utica in the near future.
• Seamus Casey is doing all he can to help Utica earn its first win. The defenseman has nine points in seven games since being sent down.
• Center/winger Samu Salminen has improved to seven points in ten games since his transfer to the University of Denver, but it’s not only points where he is excelling. Check out this faceoff wins stat.

• Jason Simmonds wrote this excellent piece on Devils forward prospect Cam Squires for Salt Wire.
• KHL defenseman Daniil Karpovich is injured.
• Lastly, happy birthday stick taps to Devils power forward prospect Lenni Hameenaho, who turned 20 this week.

Your Take

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