The recent call-up of Finnish right-wing Lenni Hämeenaho, the 58th overall pick from the 2023 NHL Draft, has him finally set to make his NHL debut. The Devils brought him up from the Utica Comets, and this move feels less like a last-minute patch and more like a calculated opportunity to see what a mature, European-trained winger can add to an offense that has been searching for depth scoring all season.
When you watch Hameenaho play, the first thing that jumps out is not elite speed, but rather his ability to read the ice, find seams, and finish chances with a clean release. If you are a fan of a Tyler Toffoli-type winger, Hämeenaho is not far off. He is not the fastest skater, but his shot and hockey sense are both very present, and that combination can be dangerous in the right role.
Hämeenaho’s development path has been steady and disciplined. He spent three seasons in Liiga, Finland’s top league, before moving to North America and playing 33 games in the AHL. That is not the trajectory of a raw prospect who needs time to grow into the game. This is a player who has already faced professional competition and proven he can compete against men, not just juniors.
The Devils are not bringing him up as a project. They are bringing him up as a tool, a player who can add a shooter mentality and create offense without needing a complete rebuild of his game.
In the preseason, Hämeenaho already showed a glimpse of what he can offer. He played against the Flyers and built noticeable chemistry with Shane LaChance on his opposite wing. That is important because you cannot win in the NHL with only star players. You need depth, scoring threats, and support up front. A player like Hämeenaho brings that extra layer of shooting talent, especially when the Devils need bodies who can stay on the half wall and create chances from the offensive zone.
Another key factor in this call-up is the defensive support around him. With defenders like Johnathan Kovacevic, Jonas Siegenthaler, and Brett Pesce providing a defensive blanket, the Devils can make stretch passes and create better offensive zone entries. Hämeenaho is not the fastest player, so having a defense that can move the puck efficiently and get him through the neutral zone is critical.
That is where this team can make him successful. If he can learn anything from Toffoli, it is how to hug the offensive blue line, dart toward the faceoff circle, and get open near the bumper to finish pucks.
Lenni Hameenaho has a chance to impress in his NHL debut
There is also an underlying message in this move. Under Sheldon Keefe, the Devils are showing a more deliberate approach to call-ups. Instead of throwing young players into the lineup out of necessity, the organization is bringing them up when they are ready to contribute and when the team can support their development.
Hämeenaho is being given a runway. He is traveling with the team, practicing in the NHL environment, and will be inserted when the matchup and deployment make sense. That is the kind of approach that can turn a young player into a real NHL asset rather than just a temporary solution.
Now it is on Sheldon Keefe to unlock this young winger’s potential, and on Jeremy Colliton to implement a more robust offensive scheme that can get this team back on the winning track. Hämeenaho may not be the fastest player, but he could be the missing piece the Devils have been looking for, a shooter who can add depth scoring and make the lineup harder to defend. If he can find his role and produce, this call up could be one of the most important moves of the season.