Chase Stillman
The Devils are focusing on impact. Whether that’s a player who scores a ton, skates like the wind between defenders, or someone who plays the game so hard that they are impossible to miss. When the Devils drafted Chase Stillman at least two rounds before anyone expected, the team was focusing on how he could impact the game. He has an endless motor that will help the Devils get pucks off the boards.
The Devils prioritized similar players with NHL experience, such as Stefan Noesen and Paul Cotter. The Devils want a certain snarl in the bottom six, and Stillman would bring that snarl in the right situation.
For Stillman to make the roster, a few things have to happen. First and foremost, he has to have an opportunity. That means Cotter or Noesen or Nathan Bastian or Ondrej Palat need to get injured. There needs to be an opening on the roster. The other thing is Stillman has to be better. He was fine last season with the Utica Comets, but he needs to be better as he just didn’t prove to be an NHL player last season.
Stillman didn’t have a great preseason. According to Natural Stat Trick, he was on the ice for four goals against at 5v5 and never saw a 5v5 goal scored. His possession numbers were pretty terrible. His advanced stats were atrocious. However, the Devils spent a first-round pick on Stillman, so he will get an opportunity.