Prospect Info: Devils Prospect Rankings By Position

StevenToddIves

Registered User
May 18, 2013
10,334
24,420
Brooklyn, NY
The Devils already had perhaps the NHL's deepest prospect pool entering the 2020 draft, but they were a bit lacking in high-end talent. Three first round picks certainly helped address this.

The depth of the prospect pool is staggering. Most teams have maybe five or six players you hope will make it as NHL regulars. The Devils have players outside of their top 20 prospects who have legitimate NHL possibilities and who would easily make the top 10 lists for most NHL organizations.

As far as my rankings go, my qualifications for making the prospect lists are simple -- if I though a player has NHL potential, I included them. If not, I did not. So, a guy like Gignac makes my list even though I doubt he will be more than a spare part at the NHL level, and a guy like Jocktan Chainey does not make the list.

Goalies
1 Nico Daws
2 Gilles Senn
3 Cole Brady

Daws immediately rockets to the head of what was a disappointing group. I no longer consider Evan Cormier or Akira Schmid legitimate prospects, as they have regressed. Brady still has a ton to prove, but he's 6'5 and very young. Senn has potential as a 3G/depth guy, which gives him value to an NHL organization.

Left Defense
1 Ty Smith
(included because he's a left shot, though he prefers RD as has been well-documented)
2 Kevin Bahl
3 Shakir Mukhamadullin
4 Daniil Misyul
5 Nikita Okhotyuk
6 Michael Vukojevic
7 Yegor Zaitsev
8 Matthew Hellickson
9 Colton White
10 Ethan Edwards

The deepest and best pool of LD for any team in the NHL, and only Ottawa is close. Smith is a surefire mid-pairing stud who possesses the upside to be a true top-pairing NHL all-star. Bahl's rare combination of size, mobility and intelligence makes him a potential shut-down force with some offensive pop at the top of an NHL depth chart. Mukhamadullin oozes talent, but has a long way to go. Misyul and Okhotyuk are terrific defenders, but I gave Misyul the edge because he's a bit better with the puck. I expect them both to be NHL regulars one day. Vukojevic can excel as the physical, defense-first guy on an NHL third pairing. Zaitsev and Hellickson both have depth potential for an NHL roster, while White is more of an AHL player who can be called up in case of injury. Edwards might have been a reach in the 4th round, but has some interesting puck skills which we hope can be developed over the next four years in the NCAA.

Right Defense
1 Case McCarthy
2 Reilly Walsh

The alarming opposite of the Devils strength at LD -- the RD situation is pretty troubling. Of course, all of that changes if Ty Smith becomes a full-time RD, because the kid is just a tremendous talent. McCarthy easily tops this list, he was an outstanding defensive and physical force for Boston University as an 18 year old, and his puck skills are underrated. Walsh needs work in his own end, but he brings mid-pairing caliber offensive skills and projects to be a better version of Will Butcher, since he is a clearly superior skater.

Left Wing
1 Nolan Foote
2 Jesper Boqvist
3 Aarne Talvitie
4 Janne Kuokkanen
5 Arseny Gritsyuk
6 Nikola Pasic
7 Eetu Pakkila

The most underrated group of Devils prospects, I would say it's outstanding. Foote can rocket the puck, play a power game, and has top-line NHL upside. Boqvist is a speed demon with great puck skills, and can be a second-line scoring force. Talvitie is the perfect middle-six LW -- he combines off-the-charts compete level and intelligence with a wicked shot which could see him as an annual 20+ goal grinder at the NHL level. Kuokkanen has second-line upside and a great all-round game gives him a high floor as a third-liner. Gritsyuk is the most intriguing prospect on this list and also the toughest to rank -- he has the talent to surpass Boqvist on this list, but it will be a few years before he makes it to North America. Pasic is a terrific bottom-six winger with the requisite offensive skill to slot up a line-up. Pakkila still should be considered a prospect, though at 21 years old he needs to start producing more in the Finnish Liiga.

Right Wing
1 Alexander Holtz
2 Dawson Mercer
3 Tyce Thompson
4 Nick Merkley
5 Patrick Moynihan
6 Graeme Clarke
7 Nathan Bastian
8 Fabian Zetterlund
9 Marian Studenic

The best and deepest group of prospect RWs in the entire NHL, and it's not even close. To give you perspective, I could name 5 teams where Bastian, Zetterlund or Studenic would be in the conversation as the first or second best RW prospect in the organization. Holtz is the best pure goal-scoring prospect outside the NHL right now. Mercer is just a tremendous talent who would be the surefire top prospect for a dozen NHL teams. Thompson emerged last year as a late-bloomer who could be a second-line scorer at the NHL level. Merkley just needs to stay healthy to be a two-way, competitive and smart middle-sixer. Moynihan has an extremely high floor as a third-line forechecking force, and his eye-opening freshman campaign at Providence proved he has more scoring skill than many realized. Clarke is another prospect for whom staying healthy is a concern, but his hands and shot are undeniable. Bastian could crack the Devils line-up as a 4th line bruiser as early as this season. Zetterlund is a pest with some scoring upside, and Studenic looks like a depth player who could see some NHL time in a bottom 6.

Center
1 Mikhail Maltsev
2 Jaromir Pytlik
3 Michael McLeod
4 Yegor Sharangovich
5 Nate Schnarr
6 Brett Seney
7 Brandon Gignac
8 Artem Shlaine
9 Benjamin Baumgartner

I'd say center is another area of some concern for the Devils. There are a lot of names here, but no sure bets and no top-6 talents. Fortunately, the Devils are set for many years with an unbelievably talented duo of top overall picks in Nico Hischier and Jack Hughes. I really like Maltsev, I think he can develop into a third-line, shut down guy who can also contribute offensively. I was high on the Pytlik pick (say that five times fast), he's a big, intelligent kid with a great shot and excellent two-way acumen. McLeod's tool box never caught up with his tool kit, but I'd say he has potential as a bottom 6 center or right wing. Sharangovich is a solid bottom-6 prospect, and his offensive game looks to be developing. Schnarr was a nice throw-in to get in the Taylor Hall deal. Seney could play some games on the Devils 4th line this year, maybe Gignac too. Shlaine is certainly a project, but he has some offensive tools to work with. Baumgartner's total package proved better than the sum of his parts this year in the Swiss league, and we might see him in the AHL pretty soon.

Conclusion:
If you're keeping score at home, that's 40 players who the Devils can consider legit NHL prospects. Even if you take away the "fringe players", we're still around 25 -- which is incredibly promising for the future. The Devils have the very best prospect talent and depth in the NHL at RW, and they're up there too at LD and LW. Considering the young age of Hischier and Hughes, the situation at center is also quite good for the foreseeable future. If Daws pans out in net, the Devils will basically be strong everywhere except at RD. I have nothing but accolades for Mr. Shero and Mr. Fitzgerald for building what was once a bereft prospect pool into a rich and deep well of talent.
 
Last edited:

glenwo2

LINDY RUFF NEEDS VIAGRA!!
Oct 18, 2008
51,936
24,186
New Jersey(No Fanz!)
Akira Schmid is a big disappointment to me as I thought he'd be better than he is now. :(

To hear he regressed is most unfortunate.

Hopefully the *other* Nico will not disappoint.
 
  • Like
Reactions: StevenToddIves

StevenToddIves

Registered User
May 18, 2013
10,334
24,420
Brooklyn, NY
Zaitsev is a huge wildcard for me. Toiling away in obscurity in the KHL, he might bet ahead of the Okhotyuk/Misyul/Vukojevic trio.

The Devils LD is really a nice group. In the middle (3 through 7), you could really order them in any way and make a good argument. Mukhamadullin is the upside guy, but he's really far from that upside. Misyul is the best puck-mover of the group, while Okhotyuk is the best shut-down defensive force. Vukojevic is the big physical masher, and he's also good defensively and solid with the puck. Zaitsev is more of a shut-down defender than a puck mover, but he's also good with the puck.

Even if Ty Smith becomes a permanent fixture at RD, the Devils LD group is still quite impressive. Bahl's mix of size, mobility and ability with and without the puck gives him a truly unique upside as a humongous shut-down defender who could log top-pairing minutes. The 3 through 7 group gives you a lottery ticket with enormous upside in Mukhamadullin, and three high-floor defenders who all project as very difficult guys to play against. Though I don't have high expectations for White or Edwards, I feel Hellickson can make an NHL third-pairing with some more development.
 
  • Like
Reactions: My3Sons

NjdevilfanJim

Registered User
Jan 26, 2020
2,829
2,595
Good job......Rough to hear about Schmid just keep in mind he is only 20 and has been battling injuries......time will tell with all these guys.....Nikita Okhotyuk will be fun to watch at the Rock.
 

StevenToddIves

Registered User
May 18, 2013
10,334
24,420
Brooklyn, NY
Not really sure what "legitimate NHL prospects " means but there lots of players on that list that unequivocally have no shot at being NHL regulars.

Well, Colton White will never be an NHL regular. But he could get 20 games this year if there's an injury or two, so I included him. The same would go for guys like Seney and Gignac. I would call them "fringe prospects". My list of Devils fringe prospects would include Senn, Brady, Hellickson, White, Edwards, Pakkila, Zetterlund, Studenic, Schnarr, Seney, Gignac, Baumgartner, Shlaine. I doubt any of these kids will be playing major roles in the NHL, but they could get some games under their belts.

The good news is that I consider the other 27 prospects as what I would call "legitimate". Though maybe than half of their group is likely bottom-6 Fs and bottom-pairing D, the Devils still have 10-15 prospects with the potential to make a major impact at the NHL level as important, regular players.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Out of Business

JimEIV

Registered User
Feb 19, 2003
65,688
27,889
Well, Colton White will never be an NHL regular. But he could get 20 games this year if there's an injury or two, so I included him. The same would go for guys like Seney and Gignac. I would call them "fringe prospects". My list of Devils fringe prospects would include Senn, Brady, Hellickson, White, Edwards, Pakkila, Zetterlund, Studenic, Schnarr, Seney, Gignac, Baumgartner, Shlaine. I doubt any of these kids will be playing major roles in the NHL, but they could get some games under their belts.

The good news is that I consider the other 27 prospects as what I would call "legitimate". Though maybe than half of their group is likely bottom-6 Fs and bottom-pairing D, the Devils still have 10-15 prospects with the potential to make a major impact at the NHL level as important, regular players.
I could agree with that...
I guess my overall issue is the lack of higher end prospects considering that this team has been bad and drafted high for the better part of the last decade...aside from this year's draft which I have no judgement on, I think our prospects are on the weak side overall. I'm not into a lot of names or D+1 and 2 putting up a point per game in junior...I want to see guys fighting for spots or excelling in the AHL....there just isn't much of that right now.
 
  • Like
Reactions: StevenToddIves

MartyOwns

thank you shero
Apr 1, 2007
24,127
17,827
I could agree with that...
I guess my overall issue is the lack of higher end prospects considering that this team has been bad and drafted high for the better part of the last decade...aside from this year's draft which I have no judgement on, I think our prospects are on the weak side overall. I'm not into a lot of names or D+1 and 2 putting up a point per game in junior...I want to see guys fighting for spots or excelling in the AHL....there just isn't much of that right now.

i think reid boucher is a UFA, if we’re looking for higher end prospects
 

Nubmer6

Sleep is a poor substitute for caffeine
Sponsor
Jul 14, 2013
13,713
17,781
The Village
I could agree with that...
I guess my overall issue is the lack of higher end prospects considering that this team has been bad and drafted high for the better part of the last decade...aside from this year's draft which I have no judgement on, I think our prospects are on the weak side overall. I'm not into a lot of names or D+1 and 2 putting up a point per game in junior...I want to see guys fighting for spots or excelling in the AHL....there just isn't much of that right now.
There wasn't much excelling in the AHL in any way till the coaching change. Overall though, I agree with you. Zacha and McLeod were misses (or at least disappointments - I don't want to start that argument again), but our two 1OAs are already in the NHL. Smith looks like he'll pan out. Our 2nd and 3rd rounders have produced little to nothing as of yet, and the rest is just a crapshoot where we hit on Bratt and maybe Davies so far.
 

JimEIV

Registered User
Feb 19, 2003
65,688
27,889
i think reid boucher is a UFA, if we’re looking for higher end prospects
You say this as sarcasm but I think it illustrates how bad our pro level prospects are...Reid Boucher accomplished more every step of way than every prospect we have at the Pro level...so did Quenneville. They aren't NHL players...so what is the expectation of the Bastian's, zetterbergs, Studenic's, Mcleod's of the world? They suck at the same level compared to guys who weren't NHL capable.

Edit: and I have seen every name mentioned live more than once. Just for reference.
 

Nocashstyle

HFBoards Sponsor
Sponsor
May 27, 2009
7,560
7,409
NJ
Nothing sticks out as too controversial here.

Case McCarthy is a name I admittedly needed to lookup again. I couldn’t remember when or where he was drafted. Does he have top 4 potential? Looks like he was invited to US WJC camp. Does he have a real shot of making the team?
 
  • Like
Reactions: StevenToddIves

SteveCangialosi123

Registered User
Feb 17, 2012
27,837
47,639
NJ
You say this as sarcasm but I think it illustrates how bad our pro level prospects are...Reid Boucher accomplished more every step of way than every prospect we have at the Pro level...so did Quenneville. They aren't NHL players...so what is the expectation of the Bastian's, zetterbergs, Studenic's, Mcleod's of the world? They suck at the same level compared to guys who weren't NHL capable.

Edit: and I have seen every name mentioned live more than once. Just for reference.
Screen-Shot-2020-02-21-at-11.22.14-AM-800x526.png
 

TheUnseenHand

HFBoards Sponsor
Sponsor
Feb 5, 2010
47,718
18,533
If you're judging prospects by how many goals they scored in juniors, pretty much everyone sucks compared to Boucher.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Darkauron

MauDevils

Registered User
Jan 11, 2009
15,635
10,856
New Jersey
I'd say there's maybe 7-8 guys that have a chance at the NHL with only 2 of them having a real shot at becoming elite.

Defensively theres not much to be excited about outside of Ty Smith. And that's a huge bummer for a team with such horrible defenseman.

Bahl looks okay...I'd guess most likely a third pairing guy. Nothing jumps out screaming guaranteed top 4 from what I've seen, but he's definitely #2 after Smith. Mukhamadullin is still, minimum 2+ years away and a huge question mark of a pick to begin with.

A guy like Misyul is turning 20 next week, doesn't produce anything, even in the MHL and can't get more than 10 minutes a night in the KHL. I just dont see the excitement for him or Ohotyuk. Hopefully I'm wrong.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Bosskarelli

MartyOwns

thank you shero
Apr 1, 2007
24,127
17,827
Bastian's, zetterbergs, Studenic's, Mcleod's of the world? They suck at the same level compared to guys who weren't NHL capable.

i noticed you picked very specific players there.

the difference between our prospects in 2015 and now is that now we have several medium to high ceiling prospects at almost every single position, so we’re more likely to hit on a handful. back then, we put all our eggs in the reid boucher basket because we eventually had to give up on 1st round picks bergfors, tedenby, josefson, and the rest of the failure parade. and despite the impressive AHL career he’s built by age 27, reid boucher went nowhere at the nhl level, just like the others.
 

Nubmer6

Sleep is a poor substitute for caffeine
Sponsor
Jul 14, 2013
13,713
17,781
The Village
I'd say there's maybe 7-8 guys that have a chance at the NHL with only 2 of them having a real shot at becoming elite.

Defensively theres not much to be excited about outside of Ty Smith. And that's a huge bummer for a team with such horrible defenseman.

Bahl looks okay...I'd guess most likely a third pairing guy. Nothing jumps out screaming guaranteed top 4 from what I've seen, but he's definitely #2 after Smith. Mukhamadullin is still, minimum 2+ years away and a huge question mark of a pick to begin with.

A guy like Misyul is turning 20 next week, doesn't produce anything, even in the MHL and can't get more than 10 minutes a night in the KHL. I just dont see the excitement for him or Ohotyuk. Hopefully I'm wrong.
The excitement, to me, is actually balancing out our D with players that can actually defend while not being boat anchors. I'm not as concerned with scoring as I am with being able to actually prevent goals. I'll leave the offense to Smith, Severson, and Butcher.
 

Guttersniped

I like goalies who stop the puck
Sponsor
Dec 20, 2018
21,455
46,136

Ad

Upcoming events

Ad

Ad

-->