We still believe in Nico Daws. We still think he is going to be the future of this team in net. The Devils think that too based on the contract they signed him to, giving him a one-way deal in the second year of his new contract. Daws always looks like a great goaltender for like three of four games. Then, he has a disastrous performance, usually after playing too many games in a row. With Lindy Ruff now in Buffalo to ruin those young goalies, we expect Daws to have a fantastic season. He will also likely get a full year to play in Utica, which will also help his development.
The Devils grabbed a superstar defenseman in the second round of the 2022 NHL Draft. Seamus Casey had all the makings of an offensive powerhouse. His skill is unmatched at his position in college hockey, and now he’s coming to the AHL. He played with some amazing defensemen at the University of Michigan, including former first-overall pick Owen Power and future NHL teammate Luke Hughes. Of course, the reason he made it to the second round was that he is around 5’9 and slight in frame. He will need to gain significant muscle is he’s going to truly make it to the NHL. Most analysts have him as their number one prospect on the Devils, but this one concern has him second. We’ll see how he handles the size in the AHL.
Arseni Gritsyuk is the New Jersey Devils best prospect. He has the highest ceiling, has the highest likelihood he becomes a star, and he might make a massive impact on the team from Day 1. There’s a nonzero chance that he signs with the Devils after the SKA St. Petersburg season ends and immediately plays with Jack Hughes. Anything is possible with Gritsyuk. He could also end up being Nikita Gusev and totally not worth the hype, but the Devils exhausted their guarantees in the prospect pool. Gritsyuk is the next best thing. And he could be a fantastic scorer. He already has two goals and four points to start the KHL season. The season is two games old. With a bigger role, Gritsyuk should put up 30 goals this year.