With the New Jersey Devils bowing out in the first round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, all eyes now turn to the future. Draft season is here, and the state of the Devils’ prospect pool is drawing renewed attention—especially with five of their players suiting up for their respective countries in the upcoming IIHF World Championships, starting May 9.
From goaltending depth to glaring holes at center, let’s take a deeper dive into where the Devils stand and what their focus might be heading into this year’s draft.
A Promising Future in Net – Yegorov and More
For the first time in years, the Devils have reason to be optimistic about their goaltending pipeline.
While much was once expected of Akira Schmid and Nico Daws, neither has truly solidified a full-time NHL role just yet. Interestingly, both goalies posted stellar numbers in limited NHL action this season—Schmid going 2-0-1 with a 1.26 GAA and .944 SV%, and Daws going 3-1-0 with a 1.60 GAA and .939 SV%. Yet, both struggled in the AHL with their respective teams.
Schmid has since moved on, and Daws is set to begin next season on a one-way contract with the Devils. He’ll likely battle Jakub Malek, who had an outstanding season in Finland’s top league (Liiga), for the backup spot.
The most intriguing long-term piece, however, may be Mikhail Yegorov, who made a name for himself at Boston University this past season. Tall, athletic, and technically sharp, Yegorov gives the Devils a legitimate netminder prospect who could grow into an NHL role in a few years.
Behind them is Veeti Louhivaara, a raw but promising goalie playing in Finland’s U20 system, and Tyler Brennan, who struggled in the ECHL this year while sharing time with Jeremy Brodeur—the stronger of the two in that league.
While there’s solid depth, the position remains notoriously hard to project. A smart move would be adding another goalie later in the draft—preferably in the fourth or fifth round—not burning a second-rounder as the team has done in recent years. Unless a top goalie like Joshua Ravensbergen falls into their lap, taking the best player available is the better bet.
Defensive Depth – Solid, But Thin on the Right Side
Despite some recent trades, the Devils still boast a strong defensive pipeline. Top names like Seamus Casey, Anton Silayev, and Simon Nemec headline a deep blue line group, with Topias Vilen, Daniil Orlov, and Ethan Edwards rounding out the next tier.
That said, once Simon Nemec graduates to the NHL full-time—likely next season—the system begins to look thinner on the right side. A right-handed defenseman with NHL upside in the later rounds would be a smart addition this year.
Names like Daniil Karpovich and Chase Cheslock offer long-term upside, but they’re longer shots who will need time to develop.
The Real Concern: Center and Offensive Forward Depth
If there’s one glaring need in the Devils’ prospect system, it’s down the middle. The center depth is, frankly, non-existent.
Currently, the only true center prospects of note are Matyas Melovsky, who had an explosive 83-point season in the QMJHL and just signed a one-year deal with the Utica Comets, and Samu Salminen, heading into his senior year at the University of Denver.
That’s it. Two players. That kind of thin depth at center is concerning, and it should be a top priority in this year’s draft.
The winger group is a bit healthier. Arseni Gritsyuk is expected to sign with New Jersey soon, and Lenni Hämeenaho continues to impress. Both are high-end prospects who could slot into the NHL roster in the near future.
Shane LaChance and Cam Squires also showed flashes during their brief stints with the Comets, but after that, it’s a steep drop. Kasper Pikkarainen is trying to bounce back after missing a year due to injury, while Josh Filmon struggled and is fighting for another shot. Cole Brown, meanwhile, has committed to Notre Dame but may not be signed in time to stay in the system.
Past Trades and Lost Potential
The Devils’ aggressive push for contention in recent seasons came with a cost—several quality forward prospects were moved. Notably, Herman Traff, Zakhar Bardakov, and Max Graham were all traded, with Bardakov now signed by Colorado and poised to crack the NHL.
Bardakov is exactly the type of player the Devils could use in their bottom six—a gritty, two-way center with edge and offensive touch. Unfortunately, they flipped him for Kurtis MacDermid. Not ideal.
Draft Strategy Moving Forward
As of now, the Devils don’t have a first-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, so they’ll be shopping in the second round and beyond. Here’s what their approach should be:
- Prioritize Centers: Rebuild the pipeline at the most critical forward position.
- Target a Right-Handed Defenseman: Especially with Nemec likely graduating.
- Add a Late-Round Goalie: Depth and development matter here.
- Find Identity Players: A Bardakov-type—gritty, physical, skilled—would be a smart swing.
At this stage in the draft, most available players are projects. That’s why smart scouting and a willingness to swing on upside (or character) can make all the difference.
Final Thoughts
With five Devils set to represent their countries at the World Championships and the draft fast approaching, this is a crucial time for New Jersey’s front office. The team has built an exciting young core—but if they want to stay competitive long-term, rebuilding depth at key positions like center and goaltender is a must.
The future in net looks promising with players like Yegorov and Malek. Now, it’s time to shore up the rest of the system and start restocking the forward lines—because Stanley Cup windows don’t stay open forever.
