New Jersey Devils Prospect Pool Coming To Fruition

New Jersey Devils Defensive Pipeline

The New Jersey Devils currently have the 5th deepest prospect pool according to Hockeyprospecting.com (prior to the 2022 NHL Draft), and the majority of it is a key factor with the plethora of defensemen in the system. From 2017-2020, the Devils drafted an elite set of tools for the back end (excluding 2018 which busted). This will be detailed on what the players are doing and what their outcomes could become.

2017
Reilly Walsh – Round 3, 81st Overall

Reilly Walsh, the more refined right-handed defenseman, can be a good second-pairing offensive defenseman. His main role could be to render points on the power play and at 5v5. He is a solid quarterbacking defender that can jump in on the offense and fire shots on the net to create high-danger bounces for teammates to bank in.

With the reigning second-overall pick Simon Nemec currently on the same AHL roster, there is a chance Walsh can get called up if the New Jersey Devils do end up dealing Damon Severson. If Severson asked for more term on a new contract, the Devils could look at their other options in the minors.

Projection: 2nd-line offensive-defenseman with a defensive-minded d-partner and plays on the second power play. 3rd a line offensive-defenseman on a really deep team.