New Jersey Devils: 5 Players You Don’t Realize Aren’t Here Anymore

Reilly Walsh
New Team: Boston Bruins

This one came as a real surprise when it happened, but it fell into the ether of the offseason. Reilly Walsh was sent to the Boston Bruins for Shane Bowers. Bowers is another failed prospect who didn’t hit the hype. Walsh was highly touted coming out of Harvard, and the Devils are probably lucky he played with them at all. He signed during the pandemic when it seemed like hockey in the Ivy League was taking a year off. So, the Devils got to develop Walsh for three years.

Then, Walsh’s entry-level contract ended, and the Devils had to decide what to do next. Walsh is in this weird position where he’s a top prospect, but he’s behind multiple people at his position. Drafting Simon Nemec showed the Devils weren’t serious about hitting Walsh’s potential.

The Devils sent Walsh to Massachusetts. That’s where he made his name with the Crimson. He grew up in Framingham, and this is where he calls home. The Devils want to be known in a positive light with former players. Word travels fast, and Walsh has had a strange relationship with the team in the past. Coming out of this with a trade home has to put his time in New Jersey/Utica into perspective.

Walsh didn’t make the impact we thought he could, but he definitely grew into a decent offensive defenseman. Now, we’ll see what he becomes in Boston. He could be a really good value.