The New Jersey Devil’s prospect challenge impressions left standouts and great promise going into the 2024-25 season.
Devil’s Prospect Challenge Impressions
Many Devils fans are excited to see the red and black back on the ice. It will begin a hopeful bounce-back season after their disappointing 2023-24 campaign. This weekend went on to show what’s to come.
Over the weekend, Devils’ prospects representing many levels of professional experience. Players from the AHL, ECHL, NCAA, QMJHL, and more took the ice together . They went on to compete in the Sabres’ annual prospects challenge. The Devils’ squad played three games. They went on to win against the Senators on Friday and the Sabres on Saturday. However, they lost Monday to the Bruins. The Devils ended their weekend with a tournament-leading +9 goal differential. Also, they scored the most goals out of all the squads present with 18.
Although these results do not directly reflect the strength of the Devils’ prospect pool. Top prospects Anton Silayev and Lenni Hämeenaho were not present. It was a promising showing from some noted prospects. It left some standout performances that could excite coaches and management throughout the Devils’ organization.
Standout Performances
Chase Stillman, RW, Utica
Chase Stillman, former 29th overall pick to New Jersey in 2021, has participated in two previous prospects challenge. This is his third appearance. He was a noted player to watch before the weekend. Stillman had a good campaign of 54 games in the AHL with the Utica Comets last season. He went on to score 14 goals with 24 points. This past weekend would be preliminary indicator of how his development is progressing. To the enjoyment of Devils fans, you could not miss him whenever he was on the ice this weekend.
The same Stillman who struggled in the past two prospect challenges scored four goals and one assist for five points. It was tied for the team lead. He was also an impact player in other areas of the ice. He went on to show an ability to be involved in the forecheck and penalty kill, while successfully squeezing down on opposing zone entries with good discipline. With a Devils prospect pool that may not be offering an abundance of high-calibre forward talent, it was promising to see Stillman continue to grow. He could make some noise in preseason with the main squad.
Xavier Parent, C, Utica
One of my personal favourites this weekend has had the odds stacked against him. Although, as an undersized (5’8″ 170lb), undrafted centreman, Parent really made the most of his opportunity this weekend. Fresh off of signing a one year, one way contract with the Comets this past July, Parent is expected to continue his career in the AHL. It is never easy to grasp the developmental possibilities of prospects by a small sample size like a prospects challenge. However, if there was any reason to watch Utica this year Parent made his case known.
Parent scored three goals for a total of five points over the weekend, though what stood out most to me was his speed on the ice. He was able to enter the offensive zone with speed and shiftiness, fearlessly driving the puck to the net and developing both primary and secondary chances off of rebounds. The bottom line on Parent is that he is in a system that has a main squad that values speed and rush-oriented offense, and if paired with continued improvement in the AHL, he could potentially mold into a player who gets an opportunity in the NHL.
Seamus Casey, RD, University of Michigan
Casey was surely the favourite to watch for the Devils this weekend, just signing his first professional contract after a stellar career with the Wolverines at the University of Michigan, scoring 45 points in 40 games last season. Although Casey was left off the score sheet, his skating prowess was on full display throughout the weekend. He was exceptional in puck possession, and was able to spread the offense out in a way that allowed other skaters to work their way deep into the offensive zone. He showed composure and took responsibility in his positioning and pursuit angles in the defensive zone, traits that are fundamental in a professional defenceman in today’s NHL. For what is bound to likely be a year of development in the AHL, he already showed great promise in the start of his first pro campaign, which was noted by Devils’ fans and management alike.
Honourable Mentions
Goaltender Issac Poulter, who played for the Devils’ ECHL affiliate in Adirondack and for Utica last season, performed amazing in his one game this weekend against the Sabres. He put on a display of what I would describe as robbery saves, often using acrobatics to keep the puck out of the net. He finished his showing with a .943 save percentage, and a good impression prior to main preseason camp.
Cam Squires, 2023 4th round draft pick out of the QMJHL, has been a name Devils’ fans have speculated on, most notably being compared to similar development trends of Dawson Mercer. He was able to put on a strong showing, ending the weekend with two goals and three points overall. It is early to assess where his career could go, though after signing his ELC with the Devils, he could be a player to watch throughout the next few years
Moving Forward
The Devils should be incredibly excited about the performance of their rookie squad this weekend. They showed physicality, offensive prowess, and ultimately walked away with some standout performers who keep be under strong observation during preseason camp with the main squad. It is unknown if these players will have the opportunity to display their talents in the NHL this year or moving forward, though the Devils’ prospect challenge impressions were promising.
Main Photo: Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK
