The New Jersey Devils are making moves with their training camp roster. While many teams are starting to put players on waivers to trim down rosters and prioritize lineups as we head into October. At the time of this writing, the Devils are playing a split-squad game, with half the team playing in Quebec City against the Ottawa Senators, and the other half of the team playing the Washington Capitals.
With two full lineups going, one forward prospect was noticeably absent from both lineups, showing he’s on the outside looking in. Ryan Schmelzer has been with the Devils’ organization since 2018. Coming into this season, he has seven years of experience in the AHL, but he has yet to play his first NHL game.
Many thought he could at least compete in training camp this season coming off his best year with the Utica Comets. Schmelzer had 23 goals and 21 assists last season, often playing as the team’s top center. The Devils came into camp needing centers, so it was a natural fit.
The Devils did add multiple depth centers this offseason. They re-signed Cody Glass, added Juho Lammikko from overseas, signed Luke Glendening and Kevin Rooney to PTOs, and added some other players who could play centrer in a pinch, like Angus Crookshank and Thomas Bordeleau.
With all this competition, Schmelzer needed to be really good to make it out of camp. He really didn’t do much of note.
He didn’t get to play with the main group throughout training camp, and he didn’t draw in for a preseason game. The Comets' captain wasn’t even considered for a spot to compete in camp. So, Sunday’s decision to make him the first Devils’ player to go on waivers isn’t much of a surprise.
#NHL waivers on Sunday: pic.twitter.com/WkqckEe8cw
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) September 28, 2025
If Schmelzer continues to grow and becomes a 30-goal scorer in the AHL, he might get his shot in the NHL as early as this season. However, he has to showcase his best skills for that to happen. He’s not as close to the league as some Utica analysts hoped, but he will have a chance to lead the young prospects for another year.