General Manager Tom Fitzgerald has had many prospects graduate to the NHL over the past few years. He's been able to get guys like Simon Nemec, Luke Hughes, Nolan Foote, and Dawson Mercer not only on the main team but able to contribute. While the prospect pool is not as impressive as it once was, one young player is already showing signs of being NHL-ready. He's been playing professional hockey for a few years now and is planning on not just coming to North America soon, but to make the Devils' roster immediately. That young player is Arseni Gritsyuk.
The 23-year-old from Krasnoyarsk, Russia was drafted by New Jersey in the 5th round, 129th overall in 2019. Since then, Gritsyuk has caught the attention of much of the Devils' brass and the fans with his production. He has spent the past four plus years playing in the KHL, the second-biggest hockey league in the world. This year, the winger has amassed a career total of 53 goals and 59 assists for 112 points in the KHL. He helped former Devil Ilya Kovalchuk and Avangard Omsk capture the Gagarin Cup in 2020-21.
Gritsyuk has the tools to be a very talented NHL player. There have been comparisons to Kirill Kaprizov in the best. Speaking of Kaprizov, Gritsyuk follows a similar path as the Minnesota Wild superstar. Kaprizov played in the KHL until he was ready to play in North America. He spent no time in the minors and flourished immediately. Gritsyuk and his camp believe the same for him and his future.
Oh my Arseni Gritsyuk what a goal! #NJDevils pic.twitter.com/CgnwKEa6DJ
— Brandon Holmes (@BHolmes_Hockey) September 5, 2024
Gritsyuk's current contract with SKA St. Petersburg ends at the end of this season. If his KHL team doesn't make the playoffs, the earliest he would be available to come to New Jersey would be late March. He has yet to sign his entry-level contract, but the plan still looks to be that he'll sign it the second he comes to the Garden State. Whether that's at the end of this season or next year is still a mystery.
Examples like what you see above is what is so exciting about the potential that the young prospect could bring to this team in the future. It may end up being very beneficial for Gritsyuk to hone his skills in the KHL so that when he comes to the United States, he's ready to impact right away. The idea of playing alongside one of Jack Hughes or Nico Hischier for the next 5-6 years could very well be one of the most exciting duos in the NHL moving forward.
I’ve been watching this game for Demidov, but MAN Arseni Gritsyuk impresses me every time I watch SKA.
— Nathan "Grav" Murdock (@NathanGraviteh) September 5, 2024
His drive with/without the puck, smooth skating, and hands under pressure and all quality tools.
2PTS, 4SOG already in the season opener. Such an underrated one for NJ.
The Devils are ready to compete with their roster. However, with the eventual addition of Arseni Gritsyuk to the lineup, this team would not only have talent for the present but for many years to come. When former Devil Nikita Gusev was here, fans would yell, "GOOSE" when his name was announced. When Gritsyuk comes over to don the red and black, the fans will chant, "YUUK!"