2. Brian Halonen
Points in Utica: 17
The co-leader in points for the Utica Comets going into Friday night, Brian Halonen has been a player that’s been discussed a lot as a future call up. The former Michigan Tech great has been with the Comets since signing in 2021-22. Every year, he can score goals. Guess what the Devils need? They need finishers.
Halonen is the best finisher in Utica. Last season, he had 20 goals in just 34 games. He did get a two-game shot in the NHL, but it was just a blip on the radar.
This season, Halonen has 11 goals in 26 games. He’s on pace for 30 goals. The Devils could use a goal scorer. They could especially use a goal scorer on the fourth line. It makes sense to pair Halonen with the likes of Curtis Lazar and Tomas Tatar. The Devils haven’t had what they hoped to get from Tatar, but adding in a scorer to that line and pushing Bastian to healthy scratch might give the Devils what they need.
Halonen has deserved a sustained shot on the Devils. He’s a good player who has the mindset the Devils want. He gets to tough areas to add high-danger chances to his arsenal. This would help the Devils put goals on the board.