The New Jersey Devils are out of the postseason, and it’s been that way for a while. When they lost in regulation to the Philadelphia Flyers, it set their rival’s path to the postseason and ended their improbable run. The Devils have tried to find purpose for the rest of the season, and they even showed excitement when they beat the Ottawa Senators on Sunday night in overtime.
A move they made on Monday afternoon shows they have different priorities this season. While most teams will prioritize putting young players in the lineup when it’s considered a lost season, the Devils are making a move to send young players down to the AHL.
The Utica Comets have an outside chance to make the playoffs despite a devastatingly bad start to the season.
The Comets would have to sweep their remaining three games, with two against the Providence Bruins and a Wednesday night matchup with the Belleville Senators coming up, and they’d need the Rochester Americans to lose their final three matchups. Then, it would come down to tiebreakers for the final spot in the North Division, setting up a three-game matchup with the Toronto Marlies.
It’s about as unlikely a path as possible for the Comets, but it’s a path nonetheless. The Comets' fractional chance at the postseason is still better than the Devils. So, whoever is running this team made a decision on Monday to send down two prospects.
The #NJDevils have assigned F Lenni Hameenaho to Utica (AHL) & placed F Brian Halonen on waivers w/ the purpose to loan him to Utica if he clears Tuesday.
— Mike Morreale (@mikemorrealeNHL) April 13, 2026
Lenni Hameenaho might surprise many. He’s been an important part of the third line and their resurgence, but he’s struggled since the Olympic break. In 24 games since everyone came back from Milan, Italy, Hameenaho has four points and no goals. There’s a clear rookie wall situation here, and it makes sense to send him back down to face some lesser competition before the season’s through.
Brian Halonen is an interesting decision. Hameenaho doesn’t need waivers to go up and down, but Halonen does. As the season comes to an end, a team can claim Halonen for free, since the roster limits ended at the NHL Trade Deadline.
The Devils are risking losing Halonen, who has two points in 15 NHL games this year. He has been really good in Utica this year, but his big league impact has been limited.
It shows how they feel about Halonen right now. They don’t want to lose Halonen for nothing, but they are willing to risk it. It is likely a calculated risk, thinking teams aren’t going to prioritize a player like Halonen. He has a distinct ceiling, but he still has room to grow despite being 27 years old. Halonen is clearly the type of player to be a late bloomer.
Will the Devils’ future dynasty end if they lose Halonen? No. However, it’s good to have AHL players with some NHL experience, and we feel like Halonen will keep his spot on the Utica roster if the next GM sees that as the right move.