With the New Jersey Devils poised to be sellers at the upcoming NHL Trade Deadline, their anticipated moves will open roster spots previously occupied by lineup regulars. This will make room for AHL callups, young players presently on the NHL roster to inherit bigger roles for the season’s duration, and even prospects currently playing in the CHL. As it currently stands, pending UFA forward Wayne Simmonds, along with defensemen Sami Vatanen and Andy Greene will respectively open three total spots on the roster’s offense and defense currently occupied by lineup regulars.
If the Devils really clean house and additionally part with a combination of other players believably susceptible to being moved like forwards Pavel Zacha and Miles Wood, or defensemen Damon Severson, Mirco Mueller, and Will Butcher, it could vacate up to four or five spots presently occupied by lineup regulars. Should that be the case, there are certain New Jersey Devils prospects that can benefit from these circumstances based on factors like the team’s depth in certain positions, the player’s standing in the organization, and expectations.
Reilly Walsh, D (NCAA)
The 20-year-old right-handed defenseman is enjoying another prosperous third season at Harvard University, where he’s collected five goals and 21 points in 22 games. It’s no secret the New Jersey Devils blue line needs a significant overhaul, and Reilly Walsh has become one of the organizations most highly-touted defensive prospects. Drafted 81st overall in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, Walsh was issued a bigger role with Harvard after former teammate Adam Fox went on to play in the NHL.
Walsh is on pace to finish his third collegiate season with six goals and 27 points, and will likely vie for a Devils roster spot in training camp next fall. He’ll have little left to prove in the NCAA should he finish the season maintaining close to a point-per-game, and could even make his pro-debut at some point this season. As previously mentioned, Andy Greene and Sami Vatanen are among the two likeliest candidates being shipped out by February 24. Granted, they’re respectively sufficient defensive and offensive defensemen, both are undersized for blue liners (Greene being 5’11’’, Vatanen is 5’10’’). Their departures would make room for a rookie undersized defenseman like Walsh (5’10’’) without making stature an overly detrimental issue on the backend.