Who knows when the last time this sentence has been typed or written, but the New Jersey Devils have depth in their organization. It’s refreshing, isn’t it? Organizational depth. Obviously, there has been a boatload of changes to the roster and front office over the past few years. The core is a young group and the reinforcements are also young, and talented.
Sure there are some wily vets at the NHL and AHL levels like Tomas Tatar and P.K. Subban on the Devils roster, and Robbie Russo and Brian Flynn with the Utica Comets. Even with the call-ups of Alexander Holtz, Tyce Thompson, Colton White, and Fabian Zetterlund, there is still much talent on the farm.
Players like Nolan Foote, Graeme Clark, Akira Schmid, Nico Daws, Reilly Walsh, Kevin Bahl, and Nate Schnarr are still holding the fort down for the white-hot Utica Comets (winners of a franchise-record 11 games in a row as I type this). This isn’t the only depth the Devils are touting right now. There are other great prospects across North America and throughout the world! Also, all of the players I just mentioned – none of them are older than 22-years-old, so there’s still room to grow.
Promising Pipeline
2021 fourth-overall pick Luke Hughes (13 points in 12 games) is currently tearing it up at the University of Michigan, while fellow 2021 1st-rounder Chase Stillman (13 points in 13 games) is plying his trade in the OHL with the Sudbury Wolves.
Defenseman Case McCarthy (seven points in 10 games) has been great this season for Boston University, while goaltender Cole Brady has been formidable in net at Arizona State.
Another 2021 pick, Samu Salminen, has been on fire in Finland with 24 points (13g-11a) and Arseni Gritsyuk (2019 Draft) has 14 points (9g-5a) in the KHL. The prospect pool is, dare I say, deep.
Culture Comets
Utica was already streaking when Holtz and friends got summoned to the NHL, but it might be even more impressive that they have been able to keep the streak alive with almost a different lineup every night. Major kudos to Head Coach Kevin Dineen and his staff there, how brilliant does that hire look now. Obviously, we know he’s a solid coach with tons of experience behind the bench and on the ice, but the way he has gotten that group to buy in and work hard for each other has been awesome to see.
This only sets the stage for (hopefully) continued success at the NHL level when those players earn their call-ups. But for now, they are growing as players, and people, and on the right path. Will they all make it? Probably not, but that’s where the organization can strike in free agency (hello cap space), or via trade, to upgrade the Devils’ roster and to add assets when the situation dictates that they are needed.
Put on Your Sunglasses
Right now, the Devils have been able to tread water in the standings – they are 7-4-3 (17 points) through 14 games, in the ultra-competitive Metropolitan Division without Jack Hughes (other than one & a half games), and Miles Wood. They’ve been able to avoid being buried in the standings, without their full complement of players. That’s impressive especially after that home loss to the Calgary Colemans. After that game, they didn’t look like they’d be able to win many games without the presence of no. 86 in the lineup.
The key to Dawson Mercer's success is his hockey IQ 🧠@NJDevils | #NHLNShowcase pic.twitter.com/PWDXOrZZ8Q
— NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) November 13, 2021
Dare we say that the future is bright in New Jersey? I didn’t even mention Dawson Mercer, who has been one of the most pleasant surprises, not just for the Devils, but in the NHL this season. Every team that has played New Jersey this season, their coach or their media, has raved about the kid. So you can be assured we aren’t just drinking some red and black Kool-Aid.
Put on your sunglasses folks, the future is bright for the New Jersey Devils.