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Multiple New Jersey Devils prospects lose the opportunity to play at World Juniors

The New Jersey Devils have drafted multiple Russian prospects because of the risk/reward they've seen in years past. Now, their first chance to showcase their skills against the best in the world won't come to fruition this season.
ByNick Villano
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NHL: JUN 30 Devils Development Camp
NHL: JUN 30 Devils Development Camp | Icon Sportswire/GettyImages

The New Jersey Devils have been going after Russian prospects in recent years, but that has historically come with risk. Russian players often take longer to come to North America than Swedish, Finnish, or Swiss players. They have a legitimate professional league in the KHL, and there’s pressure to stay and represent their country.

However, since the start of the war with Ukraine, Belarusian and Russian prospects and players have not been allowed to represent their country on the biggest stage. When a decision came this week from the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) overturning the IIHF's ban on Russian teams, many thought the first time we would have seen this come into play, but that’s not the case.

Russia will not be allowed to compete at the 2027 IIHF World Junior Championship in Alberta, Canada. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced that Russian and Belarusian athletes will not be permitted to represent their countries or receive visas to compete on Canadian soil while the war in Ukraine continues.

This has an impact on the New Jersey Devils prospects. 

The New Jersey Devils have multiple Russian prospects who will be left out of World Juniors

The biggest player left out will be Nikita Shcherbakov. He was expected to play a top-six role for Russia. He has been pretty good in the KHL, putting up two goals and six points in 21 games as a teenager for Ufa. He would have had a chance to really showcase himself on the national stage if they were allowed in.

Another player losing his opportunity is Lavr Gashilov. He has 19 points in 14 games in the MHL, and he was expected to be a fourth-line scorer for the World Juniors team.

Daniil Rusakovich would have likely represented Belarus in net. He’s been good at times this season, but he’s been inconsistent. Still, he helps the Devils' goalie pipeline overall.

Most understand why Russia and Belarus can’t be represented on this stage and the impact it has on the country overall. From a Devils' point of view, these prospects lose an opportunity.

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