5 New Jersey Devils Who Could Make NHL Debut This Season

Graeme Clarke

Graeme Clarke is going to surprise people this season. He’s already shown he is a different player in training camp and the preseason. He was given time in the preseason with some very productive forwards. He played one game with Dawson Mercer and Miles Wood, and he was on a line with Andreas Johnsson and Nathan Bastian when the Devils had close to a full lineup.

Clarke scored two goals and added an assist in four preseason games. Only Jack Hughes, Dougie Hamilton, and Tomas Tatar had more preseason points than Clarke. The Devils clearly noticed what Clarke was bringing to the table. He was given a legit chance to make a difference in the preseason. Now, he will be given a bigger chance in the AHL.

Last season, Clarke ended things on the fourth line with Aarne Talvitie and Samuel Laberge. Kevin Dineen had an interesting way to keep his lines toward the end of last season. He was prioritizing veterans, and even Alex Holtz was on what was considered a third line (although it didn’t stop him from scoring). Meanwhile, Clarke had a terrible time trying to make an impact with shortened ice time.

This season, expect Clarke to take Holtz’s spot as a scoring forward. He should get a lot more ice time with more prominent linemates. No offense to Talvitie and Laberge, but they aren’t exactly held in high esteem with the franchise like some of the other players with Utica are. Clarke is going to get better opportunities, and it will eventually lead to an opportunity in the NHL.