Ryan Schmelzer
Ryan Schmelzer is another player who had an opportunity and was not good in the preseason. He was on the ice for just two high-danger chances and 13 high-danger chances against. What’s crazy is he’s been on the ice for the same amount of high-danger goals for and against. His line did the best with its opportunities.
And honestly, that is a lot of his game. Schmelzer has been a great player on Utica. This season will be his seventh with Utica/Binghamton. The Devils love the impact he has, and he’s coming off by far his best season. Did you know Schmelzer had 52 points for the Comets last season? He fell very much under the radar as he grew in the AHL.
This season, Schmelzer will get more opportunities. That includes at least one game in the NHL. The Devils love giving those types of players at least a game. There are other players like Schmelzer, like Brian Halonen, Max Willman, and Shane Bowers, but since they all at least have had their debut, Schmelzer will get a pretty quick opportunity.
If he gets closer to 60 points (barring the NHL call up) the situation might be undeniable. Schmelzer will get a debut this season.