The New Jersey Devils are making a statement at the 2025 Prospects Challenge, taking place at LECOM Harborcenter in Buffalo, New York, from September 11-15. Competing against top prospects from the Buffalo Sabres, Boston Bruins, Columbus Blue Jackets, and Pittsburgh Penguins, the Devils are showcasing the next generation of talent and giving fans an early glimpse of the future of the franchise. All games are being streamed live on newjerseydevils.com, allowing fans everywhere to follow the action.
2025 Prospects Challenge schedule and results
| Date | Opponent | Time | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sept 11, 2025 | Columbus Blue Jackets | 7:00 PM EST | Won 8-2 |
| Sept 12, 2025 | Buffalo Sabres | 7:00 PM EST | Details pending, recap may be available on New Jersey Hockey Now |
| Sept 14, 2025 | Boston Bruins | 12:00 PM EST | Future game |
The Devils kicked off the tournament with a commanding 8-2 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets on September 11, setting the tone for their prospects’ performance. Their second game, against the Buffalo Sabres on September 12, also resulted in a win, highlighting the depth and skill of New Jersey’s young roster. The final matchup of the Challenge will be against the Boston Bruins on September 14, giving fans another opportunity to see rising stars in action.
Notable prospects participating
- Forwards: Lenni Hameenaho, Shane Lachance, Cam Squires, Matyas Melovsky, David Rozsival
- Defensemen: Seamus Casey, Ethan Edwards, Mikael Diotte, Jeremy Hanzel, Jackson van de Leest
- Goaltenders: Jakub Malek, Tyler Brennan, Trenton Bennett
Several Devils prospects have already caught the attention of coaches and fans alike. Forwards Lenni Hameenaho, Shane Lachance, Cam Squires, Matyas Melovsky, and David Rozsival have demonstrated scoring ability and offensive creativity, with Hameenaho recording his first goal of the tournament and Lachance continuing to impress with his all-around play. On the blue line, Seamus Casey, Ethan Edwards, Mikael Diotte, Jeremy Hanzel, and Jackson van de Leest have combined defensive responsibility with offensive support, particularly Diotte and Casey, who have been dangerous on the attack. Goaltender Jakub Malek, a fourth-round pick in 2021 making his North American debut after three seasons in Finland, has shown poise and skill in net, giving the team confidence in their back end.
Offensive standouts
- Mikael Diotte (Defenseman): After returning from a 10-month injury, Diotte had a dominant performance in the 8-2 win over the Blue Jackets, scoring two goals and adding an assist. He continued to perform well in the 4-2 victory against the Sabres.
- Seamus Casey (Defenseman): The team’s top prospect looked a cut above the competition, showcasing his strong offensive instincts from the blueline. In the win against Columbus, he scored a goal after a skillful deke past a defender.
- Nathan Lecompte (Forward): The camp invitee proved his worth by notching three points, including two goals, against Columbus. He added another goal in the 4-2 victory over the Sabres, giving him three goals in the first two games.
- Tag Bertuzzi (Forward): The son of former NHLer Todd Bertuzzi had a strong showing against the Blue Jackets, contributing three assists in the dominant 8-2 win.
- Brian Carrabes (Forward): Carrabes scored a goal in both the 8-2 win over Columbus and the 4-2 victory against Buffalo.
Goaltending standout
- Jakub Malek (Goaltender): In his North American debut, Malek earned the win against the Sabres, stopping 26 of 28 shots. His performance impressed head coach Ryan Parent, who praised his composure and ability to track the puck.
Upcoming game
The Devils’ prospects have one remaining game at the tournament against the Boston Bruins on Sunday, September 14, at 12 p.m. EST.
The pace of play in these games has often resembled an intense scrimmage, yet the energy and competitiveness remain high. In the game against Columbus, Shane Lachance overcame a disallowed first-period goal to score in the third period and even dropped the gloves with Ryder Boulton, showcasing his competitive edge. Offensive contributions were widespread, with Diotte scoring twice and Casey adding a goal, while fourth-line forwards Nathan Lecompte and Tag Bertuzzi each tallied three points, including two goals from Lecompte. The dominance displayed by the Devils’ prospects in these early games underscores their potential to develop into impact players at the NHL level.
As the tournament progresses, the Devils will face increasingly challenging competition. Buffalo’s squad, featuring four first-round picks, presents a formidable test, and Sunday’s afternoon game promises a higher-paced contest. The team’s younger players are being tested in both skill and adaptability, giving coaches valuable insight into who might be ready to make the leap to the NHL in the near future. Notably, forward Arseni Gritsyuk will bypass the rookie camp to report with the veterans on September 17, signaling the Devils’ focus on integrating top talent across their roster.
Devils news today (September 13, 2025)
Off the ice, the Devils continue to generate buzz with trade rumors and roster speculation. Defenseman Dougie Hamilton has been linked to potential trades, especially if Luke Hughes is re-signed and Simon Nemec emerges as a top-quality defenseman. Additionally, the possibility of acquiring high-profile talent such as Kirill Kaprizov has been discussed, though financial and roster considerations could limit movement. Forward Dawson Mercer and center Ross Colton are also mentioned in trade conversations, indicating that management is exploring options to strengthen the team’s core and middle-six forward group.
- The Devils rookies won their first two games of the Prospects Challenge, against the Columbus Blue Jackets and Buffalo Sabres. Shane Lachance continues to impress and Lenni Hameenaho recorded his first goal.
- Jakub Malek, a goaltending prospect drafted by the Devils in the fourth round in 2021, made his North American debut in the game against the Sabres. He had been playing professionally in Finland for the past three seasons.
- Arseni Gritsyuk, who is expected to join the NHL roster, is not participating in the rookie camp and will instead report with the veterans on September 17.
Other Devils news and rumors (from the past week)
- Defenseman Dougie Hamilton, the highest-paid player on the team, has been linked to trade rumors due to his declining production and injury history. The Devils might consider trading him if they can re-sign Luke Hughes and if Simon Nemec breaks out into a top-quality defenseman.
- There’s speculation about the Devils acquiring Kirill Kaprizov if he becomes available, though the cost would likely be high and the Devils may have salary cap limitations after signing the Hughes brothers and Nico Hischier.
- Forward Dawson Mercer has been mentioned as a potential trade candidate.
- The Devils could potentially target Ross Colton from the Colorado Avalanche to bolster their middle six forwards.
Fans eager to follow every moment of the Devils’ prospects in Buffalo can stream all remaining games live on the team’s website. The combination of emerging talent, intense matchups, and the chance to witness future NHL stars in action makes the 2025 Prospects Challenge a must-watch event for New Jersey hockey enthusiasts. For more details about the Devils and updates on their prospects, visit Explore New Jersey.
