Four prospects the New Jersey Devils should see in 2025-26

These players could get into NHL games, and even make an impact, as early as next season.

Be sure to join the Discord channel to talk hockey with our writers and subscribers.

---

By JP Gambatese (@JP_Gambatese)

The New Jersey Devils are in a position where they’re going to need meaningful contributions from players on low-value deals.

Rather than looking outward, say, in free agency or the trade market, to acquire those contracts, they may have a few solutions on the inside. 

If you look at any truly competitive team in the NHL, chances are they are getting legit production from players on entry-level deals.

While the Edmonton Oilers are an exception, the Florida Panthers have Mackie Samoskevich. The Devils certainly have a few who should make an impact. 

Arseniy Gritsyuk

The most obvious, and likely most meaningful, contribution the Devils will get from a prospect will be from Arseniy Gritsyuk, their fifth-round selection from the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. 

The now-24-year-old winger is on a one-year ELC, and he will likely slot into the third line. 

While he can facilitate play, Gritsyuk’s main asset is his shot, and the Devils certainly need goal scoring in their lineup.

His one-timer will immediately be the biggest threat on the second power-play unit, and his wrister and snap shots are threats from both short range and mid-distance. 

Perhaps even more importantly for the complexion of the bottom-six is his ability to transition the puck from zone to zone.

While it isn’t Gritsyuk’s calling card, he is a quick-accelerating skater and can maneuver around opposing players through the neutral zone en route to starting a prolonged possession.

The bottom six, as we all saw this past season, desperately needs an injection of that.

Maybe he can prove himself to be worthy of a slot on the second line and give some reprieve to the core forwards in the sense that they won’t have to carry players undeserving of playing in the top-six.

I’d still err on the side of caution, though, with that mentality. At least in his first season, he’s more likely to stick to a third-line role.

Lenni Hämeenaho