New Jersey Devils: Is 2023 Make-Or-Break for Graeme Clarke?

With the additions of wingers  Timo Meier and Ondrej Palat, the New Jersey Devils have created a logjam that has taken roster spots from talented prospects like Graeme Clarke. With Clarke entering the last year of his entry-level deal, is this finally the year he makes a jump to the NHL? 

Graeme Clarke was drafted by the New Jersey Devils in the third round of the 2019 NHL Draft (80th overall) under what would become disadvantageous circumstances. Unlike Jack Hughes, who was chosen 79 picks ahead of him, Clarke did not make the NHL right away. He spent his 2019-20 season with the Ottawa 67s reduced to just 16 games thanks to a shoulder injury. After the COVID-19 pandemic started, the OHL’s 2020-21 season was cancelled and caused Clarke to split his season between Slovakia and the AHL.

Clarke broke out for the Utica Comets this season, posting 25 goals and 58 points in 68 games. Although former 67’s teammates Mitchell Hoelscher and Nikita Okhotyuk are out of the New Jersey Devils organization, Clarke still has the chance to meet up with defenseman Kevin Bahl at the NHL level.

Graeme Clarke’s opportunity to make the New Jersey Devils in 2023 hinges solely on the team’s free agency plans. Within the top nine, there are a few certainties. Jesper Bratt, Timo Meier, Nico Hischier, Jack Hughes, and Dawson Mercer are all cemented within the top six, which leaves one spot for a winger. Ondrej Palat is under contract for the foreseeable future, and Erik Haula is expected to return, which also leaves one spot for a winger on the presumed third line.

If the New Jersey Devils double down on their recent playoff run, they might seek to add more veterans from free agency. If Tom Fitzgerald stays true to his philosophy of drafting and growing players, Clarke might get an opportunity in the middle-six.

It would behoove the New Jersey Devils to opt for the latter. The organization might look back toward Fabian Zetterlund’s opportunity at the end of the 2021-22 season. The former fan-favorite Swede converted that into a full-time roster spot this past season before becoming the centerpiece of the Timo Meier trade. Graeme Clarke plays a lighter, faster, more finesse game than his former Utica teammate, but that might appeal to the Devils rush offense style of play.

He’ll face stiff competition from Alexander Holtz this summer, but there are sufficient and reasonable roster spots available for the two to co-exist. The team’s noticeable lack of right-handed shooters handcuffed their top power-play unit, which saw Nathan Bastian and Dawson Mercer rotated in at times.

Given the circumstances, Graeme Clarke’s time to make the New Jersey Devils is now. The speedster righty has hopefully already done enough to force himself into the back of the minds of Tom Fitzgerald and Lindy Ruff. If a veteran is not added over the summer, that should mean all cylinders go for Alexander Holtz, and especially Clarke, since Clarke will be out of contract and does not benefit from the premier draft status Holtz has.

The stage is yours, Graeme.