New Jersey Devils Prospect Update: 12/13/16

This post will recap the 10th week of Devils prospect action for the 2016-17 season. It's highlighted by productive week's in junior for Brandon Gignac and Evan Cormier, in college for Joey Anderson, and by Albany hitting a rough patch.

QMJHL

Brandon Gignac appeared in 2 of Shawinigan's 3 games last week, missing the final game due to an injury. Across those 2 games he added 4 assists, +1, 2 PIM, 3 shots, and won 29/45 faceoffs.

OHL

Blake Speers is in Canada's WJC camp as he hopes to make the final roster. So far he has returned to the ice to practice and is expected to play in their second exhibition game tonight. Michael McLeod is also in camp and appared to have centered the 3rd line in the 1st exhibition game.

Colton White had a busy week for Sault Ste. Marie. On Thursday he had an assist, -1, 2 PIM, and 3 shots against Niagara. On Saturday he had another assist, +1, and 1 shot against Erie. He capped his week off on Sunday with a goal, assist, +5, 6 PIM, and 1 shot performance against Hamilton. All of his points were at even strength.

Michael McLeod had 2 assists, +3, 2 shots, and won 29/54 faceoffs over the course of 2 games for Mississauga last week. Nathan Bastian appeared in all 3 of Mississauga's games last week, adding a goal, 3 assists, +4, 2 PIM, 7 shots, and won 13/26 faceoffs.

Evan Cormier continued to be an effective workhorse for Saginaw last week, starting and winning all 3 games. He opened the week with a 27 save shutout against Sarnia on Thursday. On Saturday he made 33 saves on 36 shots in 65 minutes and was a perfect 3/3 in the shootout against Hamilton. On Sunday he made 28 saves on 31 shots against Oshawa.

WHL

Colby Sissons played twice last week, adding a goal and -3 to his season totals.

NCAA

Alexander Kerfoot and Harvard are off until 12/30. It's too bad since he had been producing really well before this break.

JD Dudek appeared in Boston College's games against Northeastern and Notre Dame last week, adding 2 goals, +2, and 5 shots to his season totals.

Brett Seney had a primary even strength assist along with a +1 in Merrimack's game against UMass-Lowell on Friday. Unfortunately he suffered some sort of injury in that game and missed the next night's rematch.

Joey Anderson and Minnesota Duluth returned to action after a couple of weeks off. He picked up right where he left off with 2 goals, +2, and 8 shots across 2 games against Denver on the weekend.

Jeremy Davies had a power play goal, -3, and 3 shots against Boston College last Tuesday.

Europe

Yegor Rykov had an even rating, 3 shots, and 2 blocks in 12:25 of ice time against Dynamo Moskau in his lone KHL apperance before the Russian WJC camp.

Mikhail Maltsev made his lone VHL appearance count before heading for the Russian WJC camp. Against HC Sarov on Wednesday he had 2 assists, +2, 7 PIM, and won 6/10 faceoffs in 9:12 of ice time.

Jesper Bratt had an assist, -3, 1 shot, and won a faceoff in 16:21 of ice time against IK Oskarshamn last Sunday.

AHL

Albany lost all 3 of their games last week and currently sit 3rd in the North Division with 27 points after 25 games. Their all situation PDO is currently 99.30%. They currently have a Shots For% of 50.99%. The PP is currently operating at 15.00% which is 26th in the league, while the PK is at 82.64% which is 14th in the league.

Injury Update: Carter Camper (upper body) and Scott Wedgewood (shoulder) remain sidelined.

Transactions: None.

Wednesday 12/7: Albany lost to Binghamton 3-2. Rod Pelley and Brian Gibbons had the goals for the Devils. Luke Gazdic, Blake Coleman, Joe Blandisi, and John Quenneville had an assist each. Ben Sexton had 4 shots followed by Coleman with 3 as the Devils outshot the Senators 23-21. Mackenzie Blackwood made 18 saves. Albany went 1/4 on the PP and 3/5 on the PK. Here is the gamesheet.

Friday 12/9: Albany lost to Syracuse 4-2. John Quenneville and Blake Coleman had the goals for the Devils. Jan Mandat and Blake Pietila each earned an assist. Quenneville led the team with 5 shots as the Devils were outshot 32-27. Ken Appleby made 28 saves. Albany went 0/5 on the PP and 3/4 on the PK. Here is the gamesheet.

Saturday 12/10: Albany lost to Providence 3-1. Blake Pietila had the goal with Blake Coleman earning the assist. Vojtech Mozik and Ben Thomson led the way with 4 shots as the Devils outshot the Bruins 28-26. Ken Appleby made 23 saves. Albany went 0/4 on the PP and 1/3 on the PK. Here is the gamesheet.

Coming Up: Albany will take on Utica tomorrow night, Toronto on Saturday afternoon, and Toronton again on Sunday afternoon.

ECHL

Brandon Baddock played once for Adirondack last week, going a +1 with a shot.

Prospect of the Week

Evan Cormier gets this week's honors after going a perfect 3 for 3 last week as he continues to be a key player for Saginaw. The 6'2, 215 lbs. netminder from Bowmanville, Ontario now has a 3-0-1-1 record over his last 5 starts to go along with a .936 SV%, 5 Quality Starts, and 1 Shutout during that span. There is no doubting the talent Cormier has when he's on his game which is why scouts (and announcers) often speak highly of him. He just hasn't been able to put a consistent run of form together over the course of a whole season yet. Hopefully he can keep building upon the performances that he's had recently, even though that's easier said than done considering he has to carry a heavy load for Saginaw at times.

ADevil of the Week

I'll give this week's honors to Blake Coleman after he had a goal, 2 assists, +3, and 5 shots across 3 games for a struggling Albany team. Over his last 10 games he had 4 goals, 3 assists, and 16 shots so hopefully he can build upon this and stay productive for the Devils going forward.

Your Take

What are your thoughts on Evan Cormier as a prospect? Have they changed since he was drafted? What players are standing out to you in a good or bad way for Albany? Leave your comments below and thank you for reading!