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.
2019
Nikita Okhotiuk – Round 2, 61st Overall
Nikita Okhotiuk is the more modern update of Anton Volchenkov with shot-blocking ability and plays the game with a snarl to Nikita Zaitsev. The Devils are fortunate to have this feisty Sasquatch of a defenseman on the roster. He absolutely takes zero prisoners when it comes to hits and will fight for his teammates. He has had exposure in the NHL after being called up last season, and it’s not very long for him to become a mainstay in the NHL.
Projection: Okhotiuk grows into that 2nd and 3rd pairing on defense at the NHL level in his first few seasons and then plays 2nd and 1st pairing minutes depending on how needy his team needs him to jump in and shut down opponents.
Daniil Misyul – Round 3, 70th Overall
Daniil Misyul, the left-handed defenseman, is currently 22 years old. A native of Minsk, Belarus playing for Lokomotiv Yaroslavl (KHL), McKeen’s Hockey says, “He is an excellent skater and a gifted puck rusher.”
These kinds of claims make him fit that Ken Daneyko style of hockey where clearing the crease is everything. Thwarting any second chances off the goalie is crucial in keeping goals out of your own net. This style of puck rushing will allow the Devils to kill time effectively and get the offensive breakouts finished perfectly.
Projection: 2nd line puck rushing defensive-defenseman and gets to jump in playing 1st line minutes similar to Jonas Siegenthaler. If he isn’t signed, the Devils will look to trade him in a package to realign the pipeline more.
Michael Vukojevic – Round 3, 82nd overall
The Oakville, Ontario native brings a physical style of play on the left side, bringing size, and could thrive if Misyul doesn’t sign with the Devils. That’s an impact because they play a similar game. Vukojevic is a similar hard-hitting defenseman who pounds his way into puck carriers, and he will do his best to make the crease a living hell. He’s the far better player when it comes to speed, skating, and surveys the ice well, being a very wise skater.
Vukojevic will benefit from being called up and being very assertive in heavy, physical, and fast-paced hockey games, Helping the Devils in neutral zone entries impact their potency on offense.
Projection: Two-way LHD playing second line minutes becomes a dual threat that could also be used on the power play and penalty kill.
Case McCarthy – Round 4, 118th Overall
Case McCarthy, the Troy, New York native, plays part of the New Jersey Devils’ physical, hard-hitting, Sasquatch style of hockey where opponents need to keep their heads up. McCarthy is the type of defender who suits the lyrics “Let the Bodies Hit the Floor” by Drowning Pool. Unlike Vukojevic, the Boston University Terrier is more of a break-the-puckout player similar to Ryan Graves. At Boston University, the young defenseman is an alternative captain that can ship in a bit offensively but is more known as a shutdown defenseman.
Projection: 2nd, 3rd line minutes but becomes a huge presence making it feel as if teams go up against a Chris Neil type of hard-hitting skater striking tons of fear in NHL opponents throughout his career.
2020
Shakir Mukhamadullin – Round 1, 20th Overall
The Ufa, Russia native is under contract with the Devils. They loaned him to KHL club Salavat Yulaev. Shakir Mukhamadullin (Moo HA ma Do Lin) has been gaining more muscle mass since his draft year when he was with Toplar Ufa (MHL) club. Mukhamadullin’s game offensively is his heavy 100 MPH slap shot that has been hard for teams in the KHL to defend.
He has been a presence on Salavat’s power play, using that rocket of a shot on net to help his team’s chances of scoring. Recently, Mukhamadullin set a personal best in goals of five and 13 assists in 36 games.
Mukhamadullin stands at 6’4” and 190 lbs., with room for improvement when he beefs up to 210 lbs. He has a long reach to prevent breakout plays on defensive transitions and has improved from 0 +/- from last year to +11 in the 2022-23 season of play.
Projection: Begins on the 3rd line but is used on the 2nd power play in his first few seasons, and jumps in a few seasons later 2nd to 1st line becoming a rock solid 2-way defenseman breaking up plays and becomes a 1st line power play threat on the one timer.
Next. Devils Are Destined For Greatness. dark
Ethan Edwards – Round 4, 120th Overall
Edwards is a hyperactive skater on defense and is a big variable as a puck carrier on breakout plays up the ice with the puck. Without the puck, he can shut down breakout plays as a defender and smother pucks directly at the source. He’s a 5’10” 176 lbs defender in the middle of his sophomore year and isn’t signed by New Jersey. However, his progress as a multipurpose defender.
Projection: Edwards becomes an NHL regular becoming a very fluid and direct defender, and becomes a magician with the puck. potential 2nd line defenseman and 1st line in 4 years.