New Jersey Devils Prospect Update: 10/25/16

This post will recap the 3rd week of Devils prospect action for the 2016-17 season. It's highlighted by Nathan Bastian signing his ELC and producing in OHL play, Jeremy Davies settling in nicely for Northeastern, and Albany using all 3 goaltenders to continue their hot start to the season.

QMJHL

Brandon Gignac had a relatively quiet week for Shawinigan with 2 assists, a +3, 2 PIM, 5 shots, and won 53.70% of his faceoffs across 3 games. He's continued in his 2nd line role for the Cataractes.

OHL

As everyone is aware of by now, Blake Speers has been returned by the Devils to Sault Ste. Marie to develop for another year in the OHL. I'm sure the Soo are thrilled to get their captain back. Colton White had a bit of a tough week along with the rest of the team. In 3 games last week he had no points, a -3, 2 PIM, and 7 shots in his spot on the top pair.

It was another interesting week for the two Devils prospects on Mississauga's top line. Michael McLeod had 2 assists, +4, 2 PIM, 6 shots, and won 65.22% of his faceoffs across 3 games. Nathan Bastian had 4 assists, +5, 2 PIM, and 5 shots during that time.

Evan Cormier started both of Saginaw's games last weekend and went 1-1. In a loss to London on Friday he made 23 saves on 28 shots. In a win against Kingston the following night he made 31 saves on 33 shots. I'll have the Goals Saved Above Average numbers soon when the sample size grows a bit.

WHL

Colby Sissons had a busy week appearing in all 4 of Swift Current's games. He finished the week with 3 assists and a -3 rating. The WHL website has him with 8 assists with him having a 3 assists game against Prince George last week, however that boxscore only has him with 2 assists which is the number I'm going to go with.

NCAA

Alex Kerfoot and Harvard don't open their season until 10/28 against Arizona State. They did tie Dartmouth 3-3 in a scrimmage last Saturday. Kerfoot had an assist, even rating, 2 PIM, and 2 shots in that game.

Boston College won games against Colorado College and Holy Cross this past weekend. JD Dudek was listed as 1st line RW in both games and finished the weekend with a +1, 2 PIM, and 3 shots.

Brett Seney helped Merrimack to 2 much needed victories last weekend against Colgate. Merrimack has juggled their line up a bit so far this season and last weekend Seney was LW on the top line. He finished the weekend with a goal, assist, +2, 4 PIM, 4 shots, and won 4/7 faceoffs. He's once again on top of the scoring leaderboard for Merrimack.

Minnesota Duluth had an exhibition against the USNTDP U18 team on Saturday, which they lost 2-1. Joey Anderson was held off the scoresheet and managed 3 shots on goal.

Jeremy Davies helped Northeastern to 2 comfortable wins over Arizona State last weekend. He added his first collegiate goal and assist to go along with a +4, 2 PIM, and 7 shots while playing in the top 4 and on the PP.

Europe

Yegor Rykov continued to earn consistent playing time of around 13 minutes a night for SKA over the course of 3 games last week. He added an assist, +2, 3 shots, and 2 blocks to his season totals.

Mikhail Maltsev played in 3 VHL games last week for SKA-Neva, adding an assist, even rating, 9 shots, and won 4/8 faceoffs. He had 11:28, 12:19, and 19:25 in ice time across each game respectively.

Jesper Bratt and AIK only had one game last week. He was held off the scoresheet against IK Pantern but did finish a +1 with 2 PIM and 17:00 minutes in ice time in a top line role.

AHL

Albany won all 3 of their games last weekend to improve to 5-0 and remain the only undefeated team left in the AHL. They did so while getting all 3 of the goaltenders on the roster involved. Their all situation PDO is currently 106.80%. They currently have a Shots For% of 45.96%. The PP is currently operating at 16.67% while the PK is at 90.91%.

Transactions: Miles Wood was sent down by New Jersey on 10/22. Steve Santini was sent down on 10/23 and recalled the following day.

Friday 10/21: Albany defeated Binghamton 3-2 via the shootout. Ben Sexton and Seth Helgeson had the goals while Rod Pelley, Nick Lappin, and Carter Camper had an assist each. Helgeson led the team with 5 shots as the Devils were outshot 28-26. Ken Appleby made 26 saves in the game and stopped 4/5 attempts in the shootout. Albany went 0/2 on the PP and 2/2 on the PK. Here is the gamesheet.

Saturday 10/22: Albany defeated Utica 3-2. Reece Scarlett, John Quenneville, and Jan Mandat had the goals. Quenneville, Joe Blandisi, Scarlett, and Ryan Kujawinski had an assist each. Quenneville had 6 shots as the Devils outshot the Comets 27-20. Scott Wedgewood made 18 saves. Albany went 2/7 on the PP and 5/5 on the PK. Here is the gamesheet.

Line Up:

Quenneville-Pietila-Lappin

Gibbons-Coleman-Blandisi

Mandat-Rooney-Kujawinski

Thomson-Pelley-Sexton

Helgeson-Mozik

Stollery-Gormley

MacWilliam-Scarlett

Sunday 10/23: Albany defeated Providence 4-3 in overtime. Brian Gibbons, Joe Blandisi, Blake Pietila, and Blake Coleman had the goals. Karl Stollery had 2 assists followed by Coleman, Reece Scarlett, Ben Thomson, and Miles Wood with an assist each. Coleman had 7 shots followed by Pietila with 5 as the Devils were outshot 45-34. Mackenzie Blackwood made 42 saves in his season debut. Steve Santini and Wood also made their debuts. Albany went 0/4 on the PP and 5/6 on the PK. Here is the gamesheet.

Coming Up: Albany will take on Wilkes-Barre/Scranton tomorrow night and Toronto on Friday and Saturday nights.

Prospect of the Week

I'm going to go with the 19 year old freshman D for Northeastern, Jeremy Davies, this week. He's been playing in a top 4 role at even strength as well as recieving PP time right off the bat. He enjoyed a really strong weekend against Arizona State with his first goal and an assist while earning praise from SBN College Hockey's Jeff Cox for his skating and puck moving abilities. Hopefully he can continue to do this against tougher competition.

ADevil of the Week

Albany has had success this year coming from a lot of balance throughout the line up. This week I'm giving props to John Quenneville mainly for his game against Utica where he had a goal, assist, and 6 shots. He's enjoyed a nice start to pro career with 3 goals, an assist, and 12 shots in 5 games. If he keeps this up, he'll surely force his way into being the next name on the list to be called up when the time comes.

Your Take

McLeod is producing a lot via assists, but are you worried about the lack of goals (1 in 9 games)? Or do you chalk that up to poor luck with a 3.13 SH%? What do you want to see out of some of the college prospects this year? What are your thoughts on Albany's blazing hot start? Leave your comments below and thank you for reading!