New Jersey Devils: A Few Prospects Really Shined On Friday

The New Jersey Devils were finally back playing real hockey on Friday night. It wasn’t preseason or anything like that, but they are playing in the 2022 Prospect Challenge hosted by the Buffalo Sabres.

In addition to Buffalo and New Jersey, the Pittsburgh Penguins, Boston Bruins, Ottawa Senators, and Montreal Canadiens are also involved in a little six-team event. In game one on Friday, the Devils took on the Canadiens.

The Devils won the game in overtime by a final score of 4-3. They got two goals from Alexander Holtz, one from Reilly Walsh, and one from Xavier Parent. It was a great effort (in comeback fashion) all around for this team. All of these prospects should be very happy with it.

Holtz will obviously get some extra attention for this game. One of the reasons is that he scored twice which is amazing for his team’s chance to win. It is also big because he is a former top-ten pick that New Jersey has a lot of faith in moving forward.

Not only did he score twice, but the first goal he scored tied the game late and the second goal was the overtime game-winner. To say it was a great night for him would be an understatement. he is looking like someone that could be a really nice top-six forward one day.

There were multiple New Jersey Devils players who stood out on Friday night.

Another player to be excited about is Nikita Okhotiuk. He was a big physical presence out there that showed that he is willing to take hits and stand up for his teammates. He was solid with the team late last season but he has to work hard to get back to that level with the NHL squad.

New Jersey Devils fans have to be excited about the fact that this is the first time we saw Simon Nemec play in a game wearing the New Jersey sweater.

He had some moments in the game where he looked solid (especially his confidence with the puck) but he thinks he didn’t shoot the puck enough. He was great in other ways but it is clear that he wants to put somewhat of an emphasis on using his shot which he believes in.

You can tell from his postgame interview that he is itching to score and make an impact that was as well. He wants to be a difference maker and it is clear that he is going to do everything he can to be one. Hopefully, he lives up to being the second overall pick.

Nemec wasn’t the only one who had some things to say after the game was over. Alexander Holtz was especially vocal about the fact that he wanted to score the game-winner and that he wants to make the NHL squad. Having a player that hungry is a great thing.

Even outside of these guys, there are a whole lot of players there that everyone should be keeping an eye on. With the young core that the tea has built at the NHL level, this team could use some supplementing which may be helped along by some of these kids.

Now, they are right back at it on Saturday as they will take on the Buffalo Sabres prospects. Buffalo also beat Montreal already so these 1-0 teams will meet here looking to keep the good play going. Hopefully, these fun Devil’s prospects continue to develop and make everyone excited.