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New Jersey Devils Prospects Shining in CHL Playoffs

By Nicholas Breitenstine |
Jun 24, 2016; Buffalo, NY, USA; Michael McCleod greets NHL commissioner Gary Bettman after being selected as the number twelve overall draft pick by the New Jersey Devils in the first round of the 2016 NHL Draft at the First Niagra Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 24, 2016; Buffalo, NY, USA; Michael McCleod greets NHL commissioner Gary Bettman after being selected as the number twelve overall draft pick by the New Jersey Devils in the first round of the 2016 NHL Draft at the First Niagra Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

The New Jersey Devils are well represented in the Canadian Hockey League Playoffs. Guys like Michael McLeod and Blake Speers are scoring and helping their teams push forward. These players will look to make a significant playoff run, and that can only benefit the New Jersey Devils in the future.

The Mississauga Steelheads, Soo Greyhounds, and Swift Current Broncos all have second round match-ups. That means more time to shine for some New Jersey Devils prospects. Not only will they have the chance to stand out, they will be gaining experience by playing in big games. Let’s take a look at some of these prospects and where they stand at the moment.

The Ontario Hockey League

Michael McLeod and Nathan Bastian stand out the most so far out of all Devils prospects in the playoffs.

McLeod’s great play in the playoffs earned him OHL Player of the Week honors. He isn’t known as a goal scorer, but has 6 goals in those 6 games, along with 5 assists for 11 points total. He also did this, which is just really fun to watch.

Bastian didn’t light the lamp as much this season, but he’s turning it on for the playoffs. He is 3rd on the Steelheads in playoff scoring with 7 points in 6 games. Bastian, like McLeod, is scoring his head off. 5 of those 7 points are goals. Some might see Bastian’s regular season as a disappointment, so his playoff start is encouraging.

Blake Speers is a PPG player in 6 playoff games. His pace is good for 3rd on the Greyhounds in playoff scoring. Colton White, on the other hand, isn’t having the flashiest playoffs. White has 1 assists in 6 games. His point total might not be there, but his defensive play has been sound.

The Western Hockey League and Quebec Major Junior Hockey League

Colby Sissons and Brandon Gignac aren’t having as big of a playoff than the OHL prospects. Sissons and the Swift Current Broncos are still playing, but Gignac and the Shawinigan Cataractes were eliminated in the first round.

Sissons has 2 points in 7 playoff games, both of which are goals. You can see the one goal here. I don’t put much stock into plus/minus, but Sissons was a +2 in the series with Moose Jaw. Not too bad for an undrafted defenseman.

Gignac had a somewhat disappointing playoffs. Gignac was over a PPG player in the regular season, but only registered 4 points in 6 playoff games. It’s a small sample size, but still you’d like to see more out of someone with his talent.

Sissons and Gignac are still solid prospects, and could turn into something for the Devils down the road. One rough playoff series isn’t going to change that for either player.

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Keep an Eye Out

Keep an eye out for the Super Buddies the rest of the playoffs. The Steelheads have the players to make a lengthy run, and potentially compete for the Memorial Cup. The Greyhounds could do the same, but hopefully both teams can go far. The playoffs have been pretty kinds to New Jersey Devils prospects this year. Guys like McLeod and Speers are playing well, and Bastian is playing at a high level like we all wanted to see. These prospects have been encouraging all year, and this just reaffirms what we already knew.

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