Pucks and Pitchforks
Fansided

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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
6 of 6
Next
New Jersey Devils
Arseni Gritsyuk #8 of Russia. (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images) /

Arseni Gritsyuk

The Russian junior team was supposed to make major noise at the World Junior Championships, but things really never worked out like they were supposed to. Fellow Devils prospect Shakir Mukhamadullin was a teammate of Arseni Gritsyuk on the Russian junior team, but they couldn’t do enough to pull their team into the medal round.

Gritsyuk did everything he could to move Russia in the right direction. He was incredible in transition, and he was able to contribute offensively. He went right back to Russia, where he’s been bouncing between the MHL, VHL, and KHL. He has 12 games with Avangard Omsk of the main men’s league. There are times where he seems a little outclassed there, but he still has two points in 12 games.

Avangard Omsk is in the Gagarin Cup Final, and Gritsyuk even got himself into a playoff game this season. He showed he was better than the lower leagues, but he wasn’t able to crack the lineup as a regular yet. He is only 20 years old. There’s plenty of growth from him.

Next. Most Important Players For Rest Of Season. dark

Last offseason, Gritsyuk added some muscle, and it really helped him excel in the Russian game. He has a slight frame which could hurt his ability to become a mainstay in the NHL, but he has such a great stride that he could make the NHL as soon as next year. It’s a long shot (like, again, all of these are), but if he decides to spend the season in North America instead of Russia, it’s possible.

Home/Prospects