Pucks and Pitchforks
Fansided

5 More Players Who Could Make NHL Debut For New Jersey Devils

By Nick Villano

NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - OCTOBER 23: Nico Daws #50 and Dawson Mercer #18 of the New Jersey Devils celebrate a 2-1 overtime victory against the Buffalo Sabres at Prudential Center on October 23, 2021 in Newark, New Jersey. The game was the first in the NHL for Daws. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - OCTOBER 23: Nico Daws #50 and Dawson Mercer #18 of the New Jersey Devils celebrate a 2-1 overtime victory against the Buffalo Sabres at Prudential Center on October 23, 2021 in Newark, New Jersey. The game was the first in the NHL for Daws. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 6
Next
New Jersey Devils
Aarne Talvitie #77 of the New Jersey Devils. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

2. Aarne Talvitie

This one is an early-season surprise. He played in one preseason game, and he looked really good in that game. He had two assists without taking a shot. That might set off some alarms for some, but his scoring ability for Utica to start the season is apparent. He is right behind Holtz with two goals, and both were impressive. He had the game-winning goal on Saturday night that gave the Comets their third win of the season.

Talvitie had a rough season last year. In fact, he’s had a rough go of it since his knee injury at the World Junior Championships in 2019. It’s taken him two and a half seasons to show the promise he had during his freshman season at Penn State. Maybe he just didn’t have his confidence after the injury, or those growing pains were just delayed, but it’s good to see the best of Talvitie so far.

He is someone who could thrive on a bottom-six role, so the Devils might actually give him a shot. Unlike someone like Holtz, who comes into the season with major expectations, Talvitie’s biggest expectation if he were to make the NHL is to not make a mistake. If he scores, that’s just icing on the cake. The team has given players who work better in the bottom six a chance in the past over players who might be considered better prospects.

Home/Prospects