New Jersey Devils Top 25 Prospects At Midseason

Last Ranked: 16

Speaking of a player with a locked-in role, Nikita Okhotyuk is pretty clearly the top defensive defenseman on the Utica Comets. While Kevin Bahl is the team’s best 200-foot defenseman and Reilly Walsh is the team’s best offensive defenseman, Okhotyuk plays a clear role in the AHL, and it’s something that could eventually translate into an NHL skillset. He’s gotten better at reacting to plays, and he’s even shown a tiny bit of offensive upside. He had major questions last year, but he’s proven himself in a big way. He’s only moved down the list this season because of the talent added up and down the prospect pool.

Last Ranked: 18

Ethan Edwards is not the University of Michigan defenseman that people are paying attention to this season, but he’s impressed the Wolverines coaching staff. With Owen Power playing in the Olympics, UM put Edwards in his spot on the top line. His offensive game is evolving, with four points in his last two weekends of hockey against Minnesota and Wisconsin. He’s still a freshman, and he’s slightly undersized (5’11), but Edwards is a player to watch. He could eventually take over as the top defenseman in Ann Arbor when Power, Luke Hughes, and others leave for the NHL. Then, he might really turn some heads.

Last Ranked: 15

Patrick Moynihan is another prospect who’s really hard to find a spot for. He’s the player Jack Hughes asked Ray Shero about during the pre-draft process. Every one of his teammates wants to play with him. He’s a role player that never plays with a selfish style and makes sure his teammates are put in the best place to succeed. With Providence College this season, he has 21 points in 27 games. He’s got one destiny in the NHL, and that’s as a bottom-six role player. However, teams need those. Will the Devils sign him this offseason to avoid his senior year free agency? It’s possible Moynihan wants to play with Hughes one day, so it might not matter.

Last Ranked: 22

Fabian Zetterlund is a player who seems to have a low ceiling, but he has a considerably high floor. Is he going to be a 30-goal scorer or even someone who hits 20 one day? Probably not. However, he’s been really good in the role he’s played for the Utica Comets this season. He has 33 points in 34 games with Utica, and he was even able to make his NHL debut this season. Zetterlund has been great in the AHL, and his ascension is a huge reason for the Utica Comets jump to the top of the standings.

Last Ranked: NR

Nate Schnarr is someone I may be higher on than others. His stat sheet isn’t as good as Zetterlund’s in the AHL this season. He has 23 points in 29 games this season, and he turns 23 years old later this month. However, the way he plays the game since the start of the season looks like what he was in the OHL. He has a 100-point season under his belt in juniors, showing he can put up points at will. He’s getting closer to “he is what he is”, but there are flashes of brilliance every so often. At 6’3 and with the skillset he possesses, he could continue to grow into a middle-six role one day.