New Jersey Devils: 5 Prospects Who Can Surprisingly Make Team Next Season

Graeme Clarke

Graeme Clarke has one of the best scoring touches in the entire New Jersey Devils system, the NHL players included. Unfortunately, he’s really had a hard time staying healthy. He missed 46 games of the Ottawa 67’s season where he could have been playing with a really good team. He apparently tore his labrum throwing his arms up in celebration, which sounds like it’s made up, but it’s apparently true.

Clarke had seven goals in his first nine games before his injury, and quite possibly on his way to a close to goal-per-game season. Instead, his season will end nine goals in 16 games. He only had two goals returning from a major shoulder injury, but at least he still got a point per game. He’s taken an incredible leap from one season to the next, but of course the injury history is straight up frightening.

He could very well be this year’s Jesper Bratt. Clarke will be the same age as Bratt was when he made his NHL debut, he has an incredible scoring touch, and he has impressive skills that could force Devils management’s hands.

The big problem here is Clarke would need to start proving himself at the Devils Development Camp, which we can’t see happening this year. That usually happens every year in July, but we might still be playing NHL hockey in July. Or, even worse, we may not be back to normal by July. That could hamper his ability to prove himself.