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New Jersey Devils: 5 Prospects Who Could Surprisingly Jump Into NHL Next Season

By Nick Villano

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 09: Yegor Sharangovich #17 of the New Jersey Devils celebrates a goal against the Washington Capitals at Capital One Arena on March 9, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 09: Yegor Sharangovich #17 of the New Jersey Devils celebrates a goal against the Washington Capitals at Capital One Arena on March 9, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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New Jersey Devils
Aarne Talvitie #20 of the Penn State Nittany Lions (Photo by Richard T Gagnon/Getty Images) /

Aarne Talvitie

Aarne Talvitie looked like an absolute steal when the Devils drafted him in the 6th round of the 2017 draft. He immediately made an impact for the Penn State Nittany Lions and eventually for Team Switzerland at the World Junior Championships. He even helped his team get all the way to the gold medal game before he injured his knee. That knee injury seems to knock him off the trajectory because he’s fallen off a cliff since then.

After scoring 16 points in 17 games in his freshman season, Talvitie only had 19 points in 30 games last season, then he scored 13 points in 21 games this past season. Players are supposed to take major jumps in their sophomore and junior years. Talvitie seems to be stuck in the mud. That knee injury clearly has a lot to do with it, but something else has to be at play. Maybe he lost some confidence or some of his drive when he went down with the injury. Either way, his college career is over, and his professional career starts this season. Talvitie has to show a little something as he plays more AHL games.

Talvitie is one of the better two-way prospects in the Devils ranks. That could fast forward his journey to the NHL. Being able to hold your own is how a player like Maltsev jumps into the NHL. He needs to show something more offensively, but if he’s doing as much on the defensive end, it could lead to an NHL shot.

The Devils are going to give everyone a shot during training camp next season. This is Talvitie’s chance to show he’s made major strides in the offseason. He needs to develop an offensive game if he’s going to have any chance. However, if he does, then it will be hard to keep him from taking one of those fourth-line spots.

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