The New Jersey Devils' prospect pool is not the highest-rated like it was in years past. Players continue to graduate to the NHL, and others are involved in trades to get the Devils' immediate help. Just this past season, the Devils said goodbye to Santeri Hatakka, Chase Stillman, Max Graham, Herman Traff, Petr Hauser, Artem Shlaine, Adam Beckman, Shane Bowers, Isaac Poulter, and Daniil Misyul. That’s a lot of talent heading out the door.
On top of that, we have the graduations of Simon Nemec, Arseniy Gristyuk, and Nico Daws which take a few top prospects off the list based on NHL placement and age. Since we last did our top prospects list right after the NHL Trade Deadline.
The Devils added six players in the NHL Draft. Even without a first-round pick, they added a ton of talent. Where will the new talent land, and will we see a new number one?
25. Sigge Holmgren
Brynas IF
The New Jersey Devils shocked everyone when they used their last draft pick to take someone who hasn’t played a game in more than a year. In fact, most scouts didn’t even know where this guy came from. He was a total mystery, but that’s what makes this intriguing. What did the Devils’ scouts see two years ago to compel them to bring him up now? We later found out he missed the season following a shoulder injury, but now he’s returning to Sweden to attempt to make the pro team. Even if he doesn’t, he has a long possible trajectory. It will take a while to see who he truly is, but his offensive skills are exciting. Could he even push for the Swedish U20 team this season?
24. Chase Cheslock
University of St. Thomas
Chase Cheslock is heading into his third year at the University of St. Thomas. He had just 14 points last year. He’s logging big minutes, finishing the season with an average north of 22 minutes per game. He’s a go-to defenseman for St. Thomas, playing 25 minutes in their CCHA championship game against Minnesota State. We don’t hate the profile, but the Devils have a few defensemen higher on this list who do the same thing.
23. Trenten Bennett
Owen Sound
Trenten Bennett is big. That’s the number one thing we can say about him, and it’s very likely the reason he got drafted. There are only a handful of players who went into the draft standing at 6’8 without skates. He’s massive. Bennett is committed to St. Lawrence University starting in 2026. That’s when we’ll really see what he’s made of. For now, we want to see Bennett show serious progression in his skills. He has the size, but he needs to find the details of being a great goalie. Now, he has Martin Brodeur’s number on speed dial, so we expect to see a big progression from his this season.
22. Mikaël Diotte
Adirondack Thunder
We wish we could give an incomplete report on a prospect, because Mikael Diotte only played seven games last season. He showed decent offensive skills as a defenseman, and he had three points in those seven games between Utica and Adirondack. However, there’s no record of him playing after November. He was coming off a championship season in the QMJHL, so many were excited to see what he was going to do last season. Now, fans have to wait another year and hope he’s fully healthy.
21. Daniil Orlov
Moscow Spartak
Daniil Orlov is still developing over in Russia. He’s expected to make the jump full-time to the KHL this season. That will be a real test for how well he’s developing. He played 52 games in the pros last season, adding five goals and 10 assists. It’s not bad from a 21-year-old defenseman playing against men. Could his offensive side continue to grow? We’re still not sure of his NHL value, but he’s clearly developing into something.
20. David Rozsíval
Bili Tygri Liberec
The Devils took David Rozsival in this past year’s NHL Draft in the sixth round. It’s rare that a sixth-round pick makes this list so quickly, but Rozsival is considered one of the better late-round picks of the draft. Analysts are drawn to his positioning and two-way abilities as a winger. He was playing above his head, spending time with U20 players in his native Czechia. Be did suffer an injury that took two months from his season last year, which might explain his fall in the draft. For now, he’s someone worth watching. While his skating isn’t there just yet, he’s got great stick skills.
19. Josh Filmon
Adirondack Thunder
There are many who completely gave up on Josh Filmon after a very bad first year as a pro. After leaving the Swift Current Broncos of the WHL, Filmon could not provide a lick of offense in the AHL. He was forced to play most of his season in the ECHL, where he put up 20 goals and 36 points in 65 games. We are still holding onto a glimmer of hope with Filmon. Something didn’t click with him, as we can see by his goals dropping from 47 to 27 in his last years with the Broncos. Now, his offense has dried up completely. This can be coached out of him. If he comes to camp with a fresh mindset and the staff finds where he can be impactful, he can climb up these rankings. He could also repeat last season and fall off this list completely by midseason.
18. Daniil Karpovich
Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg
Last year was an important year for Daniil Karpovich. His development needed to be linear, but he didn’t have the best season. Part of the issue was he kept moving between the KHL, VHL, and MHL, but his numbers were maddeningly inconsistent. He has good size already, standing at 6’3 and 209 lbs., and he’s moving his impact completely to the defensive side. Karpovich is unlikely to score 40 points or play on a power play, but he possesses NHL-caliber attributes. They need to be unlocked, but there’s something here. He’s just 20 years old, and if he can force his way to the KHL by the end of this season, it will be great for his trajectory.
17. Topias Vilen
Utica Comets
Topias Vilen’s stock has fallen slightly, and he’s fallen behind a few other defensive prospects. He’s still relatively high on the list, but his NHL dream has a shorter runway than it once did. He did see his first call-ups this year, including coming up as one of the Black Aces during the playoffs, but he’s behind quite a few players on the list and he hasn’t developed enough to warrant an NHL shot. He’s just 22 years old, so he has more growth to go. He’s also left-handed, so there is less depth on that side of the ice. He had a little less confidence this year, which could be attributed to the poor start the Comets had. If Utica is better this season, Vilen might rise on this list.
16. Kasper Pikkarainen
TPS
Last season was a complete mess for Kasper Pikkarainen. He moved to North America to get used to this style of play, but his time with Red Deer lasted one game. He suffered a knee injury, something happened from there, and he finished his season back in TPS. Now, he’s playing there this season, looking to put his disappointing 2024-25 season behind him. The Devils could use a big season from Pikkarainen. With so many other mid-round picks moved in trades, getting a big season from this former third-round pick would put the Devils’ prospect pool in a much better place.
15. Gustav Hillstrom
Brynas IF
Gustav Hillstrom is another player that analysts are really high on. He brings center depth to the Devils pool, a position of weakness overall when it comes to the team’s youth. Hillstrom played 18 games in the SHL last season, and he’s hoping to play for Brynas full-time this year. His defense is already in a great spot, he has an awesome build for future NHL centers, and he can win faceoffs. Again, he can win faceoffs. He tracks as a future shutdown guy, which is something the Devils prioritize.
14. Samu Salminen
Denver University
We are still much higher than most on Samu Salminen, and we understand why some are lower on him. He's capped out in the NCAA as a bottom-six center. His time at UConn was a massive disappointment, and he hasn't won with Denver University yet. We're optimistic because we understand the opportunity in front of Salminen this season. He could be the center on the top line for Denver after a few graduations last offseason. Salminen could sharpen his game against the best of the best in the NCAA. The Devils would have to sign him after the season, as he's eligible to become a free agent, but if he performs, the Devils must make it happen. He's necessary center depth in the prospect pool.
13. Mason Moe
U.S. NTDP
Mason Moe was the hardest player on this list to rank. The third-round pick is an effort player with good size. He’s currently splitting his time between Madison of the USHL and the U.S. National Team Development Program, and he’s been fine so far. He had 43 points in 51 USHL games, but where he really showed himself was in the playoffs. In just six playoff games, Moe had five goals. He’s set to go to the University of Minnesota starting in 2026, and that’s when we’ll learn exactly what he could become and how he will develop.
12. Cam Squires
Utica Comets
Cam Squires just received an invite to the 2025 NHL PA Rookie Showcase. He’s playing alongside the likes of Zayne Parekh, Alexander Nikishin, Zeev Buium, Gabe Perreault, Tij Iginla, Jimmy Snuggard, and many other top prospects. This is an honor and shows where the league expects Squires to be. He had another great season for Cape Breton in the QMJHL. He had more than a point per game, and he made his pro debut with the Utica Comets at the end of the season. He finished with four points in three games, including his first professional goal. Squires has a chance to rocket up this list after next season.
11. Thomas Bordeleau
Utica Comets
The New Jersey Devils are taking a chance on Thomas Bordeleau after he struggled to make the San Jose Sharks' lineup full-time. They traded Shane Bowers, who is another prospect who never did much with the Devils. Bordeleau gives the Devils more depth as he can play either center or wing. He had 38 points in the AHL last year. He had a great first AHL season, putting up 22 goals and finishing the 22-23 season with 41 points. Most expected him to grow, but he went in the other direction. A change of scenery was desperately needed. It’s up to the Devils to see if it came too late.
10. Matyas Melovský
Utica Comets
Matyas Melovsky really broke out last season, putting up 83 points for Baie-Comeau Drakkar of the QMJHL. Out of seemingly nowhere, the Devils had their top center in their pool. The draft brought a few more ahead of him, but we’re really excited to see what Melovsky brings to the table in his first season in Utica. He also put up 11 points in the U20 World Junior Championship tournament, helping his native Czechia win a bronze medal. He can distribute with the best of them, and he’s decent at finding space. He said himself that he’d like to do better at absorbing contact, and the AHL is a good place to learn those attributes.
9. Ethan Edwards
Utica Comets
We’re higher on Ethan Edwards than some prospect analysts, but that’s because we think the New Jersey Devils are higher on Edwards. He plays the type of game that Sheldon Keefe will really love with a little development. He was part of the leadership group for the University of Michigan last season. When they weren’t able to make it to the Frozen Four like they had in seasons past, Edwards signed with Utica and played well to end the season. He played 10 games in the AHL and had three assists. He’s developed well and is one of the examples of the Devils’ system doing things correctly. Now, he has to take another two or three steps forward in Utica this season.
8. Conrad Fondrk
Boston University
Conrad Fondrk was the Devils' first pick at the 2025 NHL Draft. He fell in the draft after coming into the 2024-25 season with an outside shot to earn a first-round draft pick distinction. He suffered a season-ending injury playing for the U.S. NTDP, breaking his leg during a game. He unfortunately missed some important opportunities, like the Devils' development camp and the World Juniors Summer Showcase, but it's most important that he's ready to go when his season starts for Boston University. He's immediately joining a team that went ot the National Championship Game last season. He's got a powerful shot and playmaking ability. If his injury doesn't impact him, he could have a special NCAA freshman season.
7. Jakub Malek
Utica Comets
The Devils are high on goaltender Jakub Malek. While many fans and analysts are focusing on someone who’s higher up this list, the Devils are talking about Malek like he has just as much of a chance to be the future starter. The Devils had him signed last season, but with a logjam in Utica, they loaned him to Ilves of Finland’s Liiga. He played 33 games with a .910 save percentage and a 2.09 GAA. The Devils want this to be a player who’s in the NHL sooner rather than later. He could be fighting for his role as early as 2026.
6. Shane Lachance
Utica Comets
Shane Lachance is one of the few names on this list that the Devils targeted outside the draft. With the Devils making the playoffs in 2025, nobody expected them to add prospects, but they made the interesting move of adding Lachance in a trade that helped the Edmonton Oilers get Trent Frederic. He’s a decent prospect with high motor and some offensive upside. His puck skills are average, and his skating needs to be much better if he’s going to excel in the NHL, but there is a hockey player who could make the pros here. He sometimes plays like he’s Stefan Noesen, but he does it in a 6’5 frame. There’s a chance he becomes a rich man’s Nathan Bastian.
5. Ben Kevan
Arizona State University
We are not shy about how high we are on Ben Kevan. The Devils’ other second-round pick has first-round talent. He’s fast with great hands. He’s had trouble putting all his skills together in one package, which has muted his scoring numbers. If he unlocks his offensive abilities, he will eventually play on a team’s top six. Kevan was able to train across the spectrum this offseason, and he has a chance to make Team USA at the World Junior Championship at the end of the year. Before then, he’ll play for Arizona State. They are starting to develop a really good hockey program, and Kevan might be the type of player who helps them turn the corner. We are very high on this player.
4. Seamus Casey
Utica Comets
Seamus Casey could be as high as number one on this list. He showed an incredible offensive instinct last year, both in Utica and during his limited time in the NHL. He can score about as well as any defenseman can at this point in their career. Casey even got to play in the playoffs last season. He has multiple above-average skills, but he is a problem on the defensive side. He was lucky it wasn’t worse last season, as some of his underlying numbers are worse than the actual goals against. He was bailed out multiple times by Nico Daws and Jacob Markstrom. However, there are a few things Casey can do that can’t be taught. So, if he gets, like, 60% better at defense, he’s an everyday NHL player.
3. Lenni Hameenaho
Utica Comets
Lenni Hammenaho is one of the most successful Tom Fitzgerald draft picks. Coming to the Devils in the second round of the 2023 NHL Draft, he was the Devils’ first pick that season. He looked like an average skater who could probably play decently enough on both sides of the ice to possibly make it to the league one day. This season, he showed he’s much more than that and his projection should be adjusted accordingly. He was one of the best forwards in Liiga this season. His skating took multiple steps forward, and he even showed he can run a power play. Now, he has a real shot to make the Devils out of camp, but the most likely option is for him to play in Utica to start.
2. Anton Silayev
Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod
Coming up to the top two prospects, these two stand out way above the rest in our opinion. Let’s start with former first-round pick Anton Silayev. The KHL defenseman has been playing at a level not seen from other U20 players in that league. He has some offense, and he’s playing a top role for Torpedo. He’s 6’7 and can skate like the wind. His hitting is smart and devastating. Silayev is starting to look like the exact player the Devils drafted. He’s returning to Russia for what’s expected to be one more season, and then he’ll move over to North America. From there, he should continue to develop. He has a long runway, much longer than most top-10 picks, but that was expected when he was drafted. The truth is, this was a raw product that needs time to cook. If he cooks correctly, the Devils might have yet another star defenseman on their hands.
1. Mikhail Yegorov
Boston College
The Devils appear to have their goaltender of the future. Mikhail Yegorov looked incredible last season. Many Devils fans were just as excited to see him play for Boston College. The Terriers actually had serious issues in net before Yegorov showed up in January. He was getting destroyed in the USHL, playing with a beer league defense in front of him. When he got to BU, everyone celebrated, but nobody could have predicted it would go this well. Yegorov immediately helps Boston University win the Beanpot, taking out rival and top team in the country Boston College in the process. He would step up in huge moments, and Yegorov brought the Terriers to the National Championship Game at the Frozen Four. He lost that game, so he still has something to play for this year. Can he get BU across the finish line, stopping Gavin McKenna and Penn State along the way? Either way, this behemoth of a man has every function of an NHL goalie already. We’re pretty confident he could win for the Devils if he were called upon to play tomorrow.